Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-01-14
REARTlESS
By MILDRED WHITE.

David Carstone had been repeated
~ asked to call upon Mrs. Mather
from the time he assumed his rector
ship of Windermerc
But 80 many pressing duties claimed
him that the visit was necessarily
postponed.
Poor Mrs. Mather is so lonely" his
told him. "since Con-
stance went away. How the girl can
remain enjoying herself in the city
While her mother sacrifices alone is
more rhnn we can understand.
"Sacrtices?" assed David, us Mrs.
bIathpr. then. in poor circumstances
"Weu She has to economic closely,
tha:,s certain" his informant replied,
and il is time that Constance was
made to understand. You see. the
Mathers used TO he one OF our hrst
families OF independent means. But
in time the handtd down Mather TOR
tune wore itself out, while the ram
lily pride still existed"
Il am telling you this. Mr.. Car
stone" the ladv apologiZed that you
may have the courage to tax 10 Con-
stance Mather and bring her to her
senses. She has always been standofr-
ish with the rest of us. Mrs. Mather
herself would not thank US for our
pains. But 1t seems time for some
one to take hand when the poor
dear old soul Is wearing herself out
knitting and embroidering until all
hours of the night that Constance may
have a new evening gown. Mrs. NAL
Tory told us this. Mrs. Mallory keeps
the small shop where Mrs. Mather
disposes secretly Of her handiwork.
It's a shame that things are so one
sided and that All old mother must
bear the whole burden. Won't you try,
Mr.. Carstone, to intercede?"
II will try" the Reverend David an
swered seriously, and at length ne
was able to make his call.
The situation was, apparently, just
~ his cOnfidante had said.
Mrs. Mather with her patient smile
spoke proudly concerning her daugh-
ter and of her social conquests in the
city.
"You see," she gently explained. ut
Is so like what l had hoped for my
self-the life there among people who
really live and use their talents. My
musical ability and other studied ac-
compishments were buried under the
cares Of village household. Mr.
Mather's clientage in Windermere was
not what his fathers had been before
him. We lost many advantages. But
now" the wrink!ed face shone with
satisfaction, connie is living my
dream life for me. Her music will be
appreciated. of course, and all her
clever ways"
The young rector took his leave alb
ruptly. BY no word of criticism would
he destroy this mothers dream. But
the girl must be awakened to realiza-
ton of her heartlessness-this he
grimly decided.
The parlor of the od-fashioned
home was chilly for lack of firing.
Sacrifice in things essential, he sus-
pected was the frail mothers secret.
Diplomatically he obtained Constance
fMather's city address. He expected
to he in town for Il few days and de-
termined to hunt the girl up, making
A simple message from her mother his
excuse for the opportunity of opening
her eyes. The avenue to which he
was directed had lost much of its for
mer grandeur While few stately
residences still he'd place, many bore
various business signs or We're turned
into living apartments. The house he
found seemed fairy well-to-do, and a
maid ushered him into the living room
He had Just decided to be kind
though frank, when Connie herself
entered the room.
"Mother wrote of your visit to her,
Connie said. u hope that YOU will
go again and often. In spite OF heI
braveness mother is lonely"
This opening was so propitious thai
the Reverend David took 1t firmly
though the subject now was most diff
.ut to approach. 1t seemed easier tt
begin with questions.
"Knowing that your mother is lone
y," he said, can YOU still enjoy your
5 sell dihoIiS NouI KAY
For a while "the heartless girl sa
looking at him. There was no indig
nation in her gaze and slight smil'
curled her lips.
+, "Perhaps," she said softly. sit ma,
be better for you to know the truth
! have made no other confidant
came to the city because the small
annuity upon which mother and
we're trying to live had expired. die
! not wish her to know--or to destro,
q ner dream of life for me- So the visi
D to my college friends was fabrica
. tion. Yon will not justify that.
I'm place of the visit tried to stud,
slight business course--stenography
was able to keep a humble it'll
$ room at the top of this great board
: ing house and to find my own meals
s have been fortunate in gettin
typing to do during my evening
;, hours. Soon there will be money t
n send back home some way"
}. The girls eyes we're shining with