The Dolores star., 1924-08-01
MOTHER-HEART
WILL HOLD ALL
Bv GERTRUDE BURNHAM

THE children's voices came clearly
L to Edith Vanes ears from the
playroom across the hall. The sound
of her step-daughter's imperious little
treble sent slight frown over her
smooth forehead. and she lost count
of the pile Of shining linens which she
had been sorting and checking. The
voice was so like that Of the childs
| dead mother that II brought the latter
TO Edith's mind. Pretty, extravagant
Alice. Her hold even in life had been
slight, and now 1t would seem that
she might be irrevocably done with.
Edith knew that behind Austin's first
marriage had lain complications OF pro-
pinquity. loneliness and artful schem-
ing. That was all In the past. but
Alice's fragile. porcelain-like beauty
lived on in little Barbara. Mentally
the child was wholly Austin, and
Edith gloried in that fact; but al
though she had scrupulously fulfilled
her duties toward the child, she still
WINGED when she looked into her blue
eyes and heard her voice.
| There lay between the woman and
child II barrier of the spirit which time
was rearing higher and stronger. Bar
bara was most tractable. but at times
there lurked in her eyes curious ques-
tioning look which dlsquieted Edith.
The stepmother really wanted to like
this straightforward, valiant mite, and
the reasoning part Of her acknowl-
edged that she was darling; but an
other part of her fought that knowl-
edge with unreasoning strength.
Presently the tenor of the conver-
satlon in the playroom intruded upon
her thought. Two of the neighbor
hood playmates were visiting Babbie,
their chief concern at present being
with q heart-shaped box of candies Of
similar shape.
BabbIe was scrupulously dividing
the contents Of the box. Five for
Ruth, five for Helen and four for me-"
But" objected Helen, you haven't
so many as We"
II have the box" said Barbara, hold
ing 1t up. She was suddenly inspired.
Let's name all the hearts !" she cried.
The children seized upon the sug-
gestIon gleefully. you first, Ruth"
said Helen.
mo. let Babbie do It first, because
she thought of It." And SO 1t was
settled.
Barbara began, pointing with an
eloquent finger as she named. Father.
Mother Edith, Aunt Francis, Cousin
Anne" Then she held the box up and
announced impressively, "And this Is
my Mother-Heart."
You named one for your mother be-
FORE" said literal Ruth.
mo, l didn't. That was for Mother
Edith. but this is for my truly mother"
The unseen listener found her breath
catching painfully.
Your own mother Is dead" Helen
stated an undeniable fact.
Yes, / know" answered Babbie
soberly. "She's my Heaven-Mother.
waiting there for me, while Mother
Edith Is my Earth Mother, taking care
Of me here. Mother Edith told me all
about 1t and she is as nice as she can
be-"
Edith felt a throb of qualification.
She had scrupulously kept green In the
child's mind all memory of her mother,
teaching her love and reverence. She
listened absorbedly to the conversation,
quite unashamed Of eavesdropping.
well. / don't think your Mother
Edith Is so very nice to you some
times" remarked Ruth. "She wouldn't
let you have that dress for the party
when you asked her"
Barbara's voice trembled as she
answered this all-too-tr true statement. "I
know 1t, and I asked her Just as nice
as ever I could and I've been pretty
good lately. She prob'ly had good
reason though" she ended loyalty.
The play ran briskly on to less per-
sonal illusions and Edith became rue
fully conscious of the fact that she
had accomplished practically nothing
that afternoon. She was starting
downstairs when Barbara's voice ar
rested her again.
I'm not going to eat my hearts now.
The Mother-Heart will hold them all
until I want them. There's lot Of
room in It,"
Standing with foot poised over the
stair. Edith Vane learned the greatest
lesson of her life from the lips of
child. The true Mother-H Heart was al
ways large enough to hold them ALL"
those little hearts, Poor, loyal Babbie
had mutely asked for place In 1t and
had been refused. With sudden rush
of tenderness Edith knew that things
were to be far different in the future.
That night after she had tucked Bah
bic Into bed she did not peck coolly at
her cheek before swapping Off the light,
according to her usual custom. In