Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-20

daughterT'
80 they're saying, ma'am."
a word Of i'll"
II wish in my heart I could say the
same, ma am. But it's truth enough,
I'm fearing"
"And II it isl don't say It is, but
II It is--why have you come to me?"
Then trembling all over Mrs. Collis.
ter continued her story. Her poor girl
was in trouble. When a girl was In
trouble the world could be cruel hard on
her. Nobody would think the cruel
hard It could be. II girl did wrong
1t was because somebody she was fond
Of had promised to marry her. What
else would she do 1t for? When a young
man had behaved like that to poor
girl ne ought to keep his word to her.
And II he had q mother, and she was Q
good Christian woman 80
Mrs. Cell, who was beating her foot
on the carpet, broke In impatiently.
to marry your daughter?"
.It's nothing but right, ma'am." .
:."And you've come here to ask mo to
tell him to do so?'
IF you place, ma'am."
well, never!" said Isabella.
"She' s q mother herself. was think
ing, and II one Of her own girls was in
the same position ."
'"The idea - said Isabella.
Mrs. Collister," said Mrs. Cell,
with a proud lift Of her head. II was
sorry when heard Of the trouble your
daughter had brought on you, but what
you are doing now is q piece of great
assurance"
"But Bessie is a good girl, ma'am.
And II she married your son you would
her."
GOOD indeed If girl isn't ashamed
to be living with young man the less
said about her goodness the better"
Jaw we'll, ma 'am," said Mrs. Col.
lister cher faltering tongue had become
firmer and her timid eyes had begun to
FASH, If she's living with the young
man, he's living with her; and the
shame Is the same for both. I'm think
Mrs. Cell drew herself up in her
chair. (.
I'm astonished at you, Mrs. Col.
lister! list r. A ,wy woman yourself, and not see
Jaw yes, difference enough, ma'am /!
And when a young man doesn't keep
his word It's the woman that's know.
ing it best by tho trouble that's coming
on her."
Mrs. Cell, whose anger was rising,
lifted her chin again and said, III your
daughter is in trouble. Mrs. Collister,
how are We to know that she had not
brought it on her own head, just to get
Alick to marry her?"
''The creature!' said Isabella.
And how are we to know that you
and your husband have not encouraged
the girl in her wickedncss just to get
our son for your son in -law?"
"Aw we'll, ma am" said Mrs. Col
lister (she was fumblins at the strings
of her bonnet to tighten them), "if you
are thinking, as bad of me as
"You talk Of the danger to your
daughter If my son doesn't marry her."
said Mrs. Cell. but what Of the
danger to my son If he does? His life
will be ruined. He will never be able
to raise his head in the island again.
His father will disown him. Marry
I not ask him to marry her. but II !
see the slightest danger of his doing
anything so foolish I will do every
thing I can to prevent it,"
Jaw, well, we'll say no more,
ma am" said Mrs. Collister, and she
shuffled to her feet.
But Mrs. Cell was up before her.
alexander Cell, son of the Speaker
and grandson of Archdeacon Myle-
chreest. married to the stepdaughter Of
Dan Baldromma and the nameless off,
spring Of Liza Collister ."
"Ma'am!"
Mrs. Collister had hobbled to the
door, and was going out, humbled and
beaten, when Mrs. Cells last words cut
her to the quick. For more than twenty
years she had taken the punishment of
her own sin and bowed her head to the
lash of 1t, but at this insult to her
child the weak and timid creature turned
about, as brave as a lion and as fierce
us a fury.
"I'm not your quality, I know that,
ma a'am," she said, breathing quickly,
"but day is coming. and maybe it's
near, when We'll be standing together
where wc'll both be equal. Just two old
mothers, and nothing else between us.
If you've loved your son, I've, loved
my daughter, whatever she is. ma 'lm.
And when the One who reads all hearts
IL after asking me what l did for my
child In the day of her trouble, I'll be
telling Him came here to beg you on
my knees to save her from life of sin
and shame. and You wouldn't. because
vOup vvorldlv v,rida nrovankad. And then