Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-02-29
MOTHERS FAITH
NOT MISPLACED
By JANE GORDON
44-l-!.4I:l-li-iIlilitI Z & / t-i-s-

W. 80 '"HtNfH sNeHhN NAufF Anioh-l
Mrs. BARTON was 4 Woodworking
little woman who lived in the
lower part Of the town. Early morn.
Ing found her on her way to the village
stores TO trade in the fruits and vege-
tables which she alone cultivated In
her small garden. Coming a summer
guest to Iornsdale. II was Mrs. Barton
who was suggested to me as likely to
do my "fne" laundering. think the
word fine" relieved her Of the thought
Of an arduous task. When carried
my bundle TO Mrs. Barton's home
found her graciously hospItable. Sci
dom have been so Interested In
csll upon stranger Her voice was
low and pleasing; her words precisely
chosen. returned to the home of nv
Lornsdale hostess seeking Information
about the bent little lady.
"Has Mrs Barton lived here IongT
! asked Mrs. Trent.
Since her MARRIAGE nv friend re-
piled. "She came. a dlsapproved bride.
to the home Of T.ornsdale's Oldest fam.
Ily. Disappeared because the last Of
the Bartons had married an orphaned
girl. none % them knew.
''Dennlson took the small cottage
down by the station, and. inheritlne
his fathers weak constitution, did not
1--we long. The young wife. for whom
he had never been properly able to
provide, was left with a young Den.
nlson to support.
But now Denny Is strong and hand
sonnet Ny deari you should see him !,
Il would bc difficult for you to consider
the relationship Of the carefree. hand
. some Denny with the plain old woman
With the gnarled hands. Deprivation
and anxiety have made Ann Barton
old before her time sometimes
'fenible for Ann; her faith in that
graceless son Of hers is almost sublime.
He will repay she will tell you, her
tired eyes allght for the moment In
happy anticipation,
"And Denny? met him on the
street one day and took II upon my
self to say. 'Dennison, don't you think
II would be more manly for you to
obtain some humble work now and help
your mother, instead Of waiting for a
late profession His smile really took
away my prejudice.
This Is the better way he returned
without rarcor. Mother and | have
talked 1t out. little longer and !
may be able to do for her, as could
never do, postponlng the time here
Mrs Barton showed me Denny's
picture when next I made my neces
sary visit, He was handsome man
with sort Of dignity. which his moth
er eagerly assured me. was like the
Bartons all over again. She did up
my organdie that week as a little
extra help to Denny.
"As sat on the porch one after
noon my hostess came hurryIng to
ward me. 'Marthar she, exclaimed.
that Denny Barton has maTied-mar-
ried some friIly coed Of a girl and
left his mother In the lurch. Effort
wasted as far as her promised future
support Is concerned. Ann Barton will
have 10 go on supporting herself
and her son from her-forever. OF
course he won't bring his bride here.
How he will manage to care for her
any place no one knows.
81 went TO see Ann Barton. dreading
the disilIusionment In her patient eyes.
But there was no disillusionment there.
Mrs. Trent had truly said that the
mothers faith was sublime.
"Come ln,' she softly invited. Il
wan; TO tell you about Denny-he is
married. My big boy. Denny It don't
seem possible Why, only yesterday
he was laughing about falling in love
with a girl. you'll be always my
girl, mother" said Denny. They didn't
mean to marry so soon; but there was
she. going away to her home, and Der
ny. with the teaching position offered
him. right In the college. Wen marry,
Gloria he says-and isn't that a fancy
name for girl7-'and then, we1l send
for mother TO come on to US. Amt
that like Denny7 Wanting first thing
to fetch his shabby mother right to
the college town, where all his learned
friends are. But III tell you Ann
Barton leaned close with her conf
dence-'Im not going to make them
think less of him, as they might
never was able much to go to school.
So III pretend longing to stay in
the cottage here and go on as I've
been going. I've no doubt that some
day Denny and his pretty Gloria will
be the high ones in that college town.
III be sending them fresh vegetables
and. The mother stopped to listen to
knock, as she furtively wiped away
her tears If you'd open the door for
Bit she begged. Ann went into her
bedroom to remove the sign of emo
tion. A modish, pretty young woman
stood In the pOrtico. Instinctiyely /
knew this TO be Denny's new wife
Closing the door behind me waited
to greet her there"
Il came she said slowly, "to see
Mrs. Barton. You cannot be Mrs. Bar
ton? Denny has so described his moth
er 10 me can see her. in fancy.
am Denny Barton's wife | came-to
see our mother"
A great thrill of relief passed over
me. 1t was the gentle awe in the
girls tone which made me understand.
His mothers faith in Denny was not
misplaced, With his own deep affec-
tion had he inspired this young wife
seeking "our mother" Impulsively !
put out my hand to tie pretty creature
in the modish froek. 81 wish you hap
piness," said, Happiness that hope
you may share with your husbands
mother"
The girls blue eyes were gravely
SINCERE That" she replied, "is what
we are both longing to do
Welsh Had Their Way.