Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-03-03

Janet went on, rather hurrIedly,
"what with burning wood In the kitch-
en- range and coaxlng the furnace
along on small ratlons-phewl quite
hustle" She smiled into her mothers
eyes.
Hood Juniors school work was next
discussed, the eyes Of both women
warm with love for the boy. AT last
silence fell--the silence for which
mother waited.
Mother knew the value of silence,
that trap for the unwary.
Mother know you think 1t
strange--about the coat; but I've
thought perhaps I wouldn't get 1t this
year" 1t was Janet speaking.
"Then you've spent Uncle Gideon's
Christmas present for something elseT
Mother Rowland asked, feeling a
trife guilty with her success.
"Oh, no." replied Janet, letting the
knitting fall to her lap. "But, some
how 1t seems as if-as If Hood didn't
want me to buy It." Her ace was
tragic.
ut isn't that Hood says ..nything
when ! mention getting the coat; It's
Just that he says nothing at ALL" there
was a culver In Janet's voice.
"Child, have ever told you about
Sue Ella Gay?' asked mother. mo, I
don't think have" she went on.
"Sue Ella married Luke Somers.
She was an orphan. Your grand
mother Rowland raised her-that's
how came to know what happened"
mother stated In her homely and
lelsurely way. Luke was taciturn
kind of man-so silent at times folks
wondered how he ever managed to
propose to Sue Ella, she was so lively
and gay. But he did, anyway, and the
wedding was at your grandmother's.
"The Howlands were sea-faring
folk, as you know, and when the we'd
ding teck place, your uncle was away
on voyage. He thought the world Of
Sue Ella-loved her like an own sister.
"He w~s great business man, Luke
was. He and Sue Ella moved to the
city right away after the wedding.
"They had one child but lost 1t, and
Sue Elias health began to fail. Then
your Uncle Gideon sent Sue Ella
thousand dollars.
"That should have remedled things,
but 1t didn't. Luke had grown into
way, your grandmother told me, Of
settin silent and sort Of sad when Sue
Ella mentioned anything so foolish az
clothes; he was living in big things
Luke was he had so many irons in
the fire, Luke had, that Sue Ella felt
real sorry for him. and in the end,
her thousand was invested along with
all the rest-sunk in such way, the
chippin's wouldn't buy anything worth
while.
"Your Uncle Gideon came home from
sea and was shocked at the change In
Sue Ella. He talked 1t over with luke
and specialist was called In.
IAN operation was necessary, Sc
we're one, and would cost lot of
money
Luke got more silent and 81. as he
looked at Sue Ella Luke raised the
money at the bank, but the operation
came too late to save Sue Ella"
Mother Rowland confronted a pair
Of hurt gray eyes filled with tears.
Mother you aren't implying that
Hood isis that kindly
"No, my child, I'm not. Hood is a
dear good boy-if he is the silent kind"
said mother gently. "And Luke wasn't
that kind, elther-at first; he just got
headed wrong; Sue Ella, poor thing,
hadn't enough ground under her, inia-
tive, l suppose you'd call 1t. Good
ness!" Mother glanced at the clock
81 must hurry with lunch. Junior will
be racing in from school In few
minutes"
"Well all come to diner with you
Sunday, mother" smiled janet at part
ing; "and-" her cheek pressed her
mothers as she whispered: 'I'll wear
my new fur coat; won't you invite
Uncle Gideon, tooT
Her mother kissed her-in silence.