Smyrna times., 1925-12-30
ALady and a
Letter
By MARGARET ADE
d. 1925. western Newspaper Union.)

something behind her blue and snap
ping eyes proclaimed to the world that
she was a mad and a sad woman, as
she pattered about preparing a be-
lated breakfast.
She had in some way managed to
convince herself that the whole world
was against her, even PeterLher one
and only son, no longer loved her.
He had, without consulting her, be-
come engaged to a chit of girl that
worked in the office with him. And
to crown his audacity, Peter had
asked his mother to break up her
home and come and live with Myra
and me-"
breakfast is ready, Peter" she
cried into the narrow hallway. You'll
be late. It's almost nine o'clock"
"SOrry, mother, but I'll have to rush.
I'm late now. Don't worry, mother.
Bye"
A street car came along, clattered
to a stop, and Peter climbed aboard
Mrs. Haskell, from behind the lace
curtain, watched the car that carried
her son cityward until it lurched out
of sight. Then she sat down and wept.
She was still weeping when, almost
an hour later, the mail mans ring
broke in upon her sorrow.
There was one letter-a thick, gray
envelope addressed to Peter in no
ticeably nice handwriting, and the
flap had opened.
Then jealOusy-jealOusy, green-eyed
and ruthless, whispered: "Why not
read it?" For only a moment she fal-
tered, then she drew the thick, gray
paper from its bullying envelope and
read:
Boston, Massachusetts.
"June 4th, 1923.
Peter Dear:
Il am sorry to add to your burden,
but 1 have been thinking over what
you have cOntided to me concerning
your mothers attitude toward making
her home with us-Or rather with me,
and, knowing as do that your income
is not sufficient to support two homes,
l have thought it best to release you
from your engagement-today. l am
returning your ring.
There is no one else, Peter, and
there never shall be, but II simply
could not be happy, knowing that
was depriving an aged woman of her
home by taking her only support from
her; neither could be happy by just
waiting-waiting for her to die before
I-before we-cOuld begin to live, so
that is that, Peter
1T will I am sure, be a great relief
! to your mother to know that l have
! broken with you, and 7 hope she will
be very happy.
"With all good wishes, Peter, am
saying good-by, but I shall always
! love you.
"lIYRA."
Mrs. Haskell arose, wiped her eyes
and stepped briskly to a panel mirror
She surveyed her stout and stylish fig
ure.
IAN aged woman-an aged woman y
she jeered at her reflection in the mir
ror. I'll"
Twenty minutes later she sailed
forth, her blue eyes flashed a chal
lenge
It was almost six o'clock that eve
ming when she returned. Later, wher
Peter came home he found her broil
ing chops.
You'll not get much supper tonight
Peter" she called to him gaily. 81
have been out all day"
Good for you, mother" Peter was
joyous. You look as if you have haC
a happy time-tell us about it,"
Not until you eat your supper
I" Mrs Haskell checked herself
"COme. Peter, sit down and make uT
for that breakfast that you didn't
get"
Il am hungry, mother" Peter ad
mitted as he began to eat.
After while his mother said:
"When you rushed off this morning
Peter, I sat here thinking -thinkin.
what I would do when you-wher
you went to housekeeping for your
self; and II decided to do somethin.
at once so l went down to The Smar
Hat Shop and applied for work. I be
gin tomorrow-$30 a week to start
So you"
"But you-you don't have to, moth
er. Tin"
"Yes, I know, Peter, but you forge
that I'm still young woman. Myr.
was surprised-she thought that
was dccrepit L"
"3Iyra!" Peter gasped. "Iow-wha
where did you see Myra? Yot
haven't"
Il called upon Myra today-though
that l ought to, and II think Myr,
is nice girl; We had a very pleasan
talk. She"
Guess III run over" Peter pushe,
his chair back "1lyra will like YOU
mother, I know she will, just as yor
like her"
And Peter lighting n cigar on hi