The broad ax., 1924-05-03
WWWWWWTWWT|FW WTT's y y w y y 2
|. OLD-FASHIONED,
BUT HER MOTHER
BY ADELAIDE n. KEMP

VOUNG Doctor Jim gathered Lucy
A. suddenly In his arms. You do
love me- he whispered huskiIy.
From the club dance hall came the
brazen notes Of the saxophone, but
they did not drown Lucy's low reply
as she met his dark eyes looking down
into hers. There was~a long. happy
moment. Suddenly the little knifelIks
fear that she had felt 30 often OF late
crept into Lucy's heart.
How could she tell this wonderful
city lover of that little old-fashioned
home far down In Maine, and of the
little old-fashiOned mother who had
come up to the city that very after
noon 10 make weeks visit7 Al
secretary for the conservative Mrs.
Morton, Lucy. in her quiet, ladylike
way, had made many friends during
the past two years. She moved among
a class to whom money and ancestry
were gods Therefore, she had decided
to place her mother in a modest hotel
down town when she had Unexpectedly
written that PA is sending me to the
city to buy a new winter coat" and
make the daughter they both missed
50 soreIy visit.
You're not bit like yourself to-
night. dear" Jim said. rather abrupt
ly. Lucy slipped a soft hand into his
'I'm little tired, Jim. had to
60 down town this afternoon TO meet
a--an old friend" An uncertain
silence fell between them.
Again the afternoon came to Lucy.
She had felt as II the eyes OF all
those well dressed people waiting at
the station were upon her as she
stepped forward to meet the little
woman In the too long black skirt
and bonnet.
Lucy thought OF Jim's mother. mar
celled, dignified, the president OF the
literary society, and shuddered. They
must never meet-those two mothers.
A butler appeared at that moment
In the doorway and peered out into
the dim shadow OF the veranda. An
IL impelled by some unknown force,
Lucy started toward him. followed By
Jim.
"Oh. Miss Lee" said the man. an she
appeared In the light. There's a tel
ephone call for you-very important,
they said"
"For met" Lucy's heart seemed to
rise suddenly to the region OF her
throat. She hardly felt JIm's steady
ing pressure on her arm as they hur-
ried to the dim clubroom. With trem-
bling fingers. she grasped the re-
ceiveP.
Hello. Yes, this is Miss Lee talk
ing. Oh, OH She turned a white.
terrified face towards Jim. yes
where did you say? Memorial-I1l be
there right away" Lucy swayed for
a minute, but Jim was holding her.
Tell me, Lucy. what Is itr'
"oh, my mother" Lucy gasped. "She
has been hurt by an automobile and
they have taken her TO the Memorial
hospital. She had a headache and
went out for some medicine-all aloha
In a strange city and dancing here"
Lucy cIutched JIm's arm wildly. "What
shall I do-my little mofherI was
trying to hide her. was ashamed Of
her and her little black bonnet"
Jim's hand closed over hers tightly.
Lucy" he said In a choked voice.
"try to be calm. You will need all
your strength"
It was foggy night, and very dark.
Lucy could feel the chill even through
JIm's heavy fur coat. They stopped
at his house for moment. When nc
came out again with his black bag
Lucy remembered his profession. II
seemed to her as II they would never
reach the hospital. Strange memories
fitted back and forth through her
mind She could see her mother BY
the kitchen window In her faded
housedress watching the purpling SUN
set she loved. waiting for her father
to come In with the warm milk
Lucy's throat swelled with a clutch
Ing pain.
At the hospital Jim helped her ten
derby out " the car. As she watched
in the small anteroom her eyes fell
on something black In chair. When,
moment later. Doctor Jim entered
lie found her hugglng email Jet bon
net to her breast and weeping as IL her
heart would break
A week later. In sunshiny room OF
Il downtown hotel. Lucy drew her chair
beside her mothers Mother. are You
sure you feel strong enough now 60
80 hornes"
Il never Eel: better, Lucy. You know
wasn't hurt. only stunned. And you
and that doctor Of yours have made a
regular baby Of me ever since. Though
yoa won't tell me. / know you spent
too much money On that beautiful coat
and nice little hat" She looked hap
ply toward the open wardrobe door.
Queer whatever became of my old
bonnet though III kind Of miss It."
For 4 moment Lucy could not speak.
Then-~Tve been making plans, moth
err. 10 70 home with YOU
Her mothers eyes giowed at the
thought. bnt Immediately after she
shook her head. -You can't leave an
this. Lucy"
Mother answered Lucy, simply
Eve learned what IS worth while this
last week. I only hope my daughter
win be as proud OF her mother as
am on mine
"But what viii your doctor do.
dearfr Lucy's mother looked at her
vr-f*b axos fY,II ~ tenderness