Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-08-29
A Lady and a
Letter
e. 1925. western Newspaper Union
BY MARGARET ABE

she was mad and a sad woman, as
she battered about preparing be-
lated breakfast.
She had In some way managed to
convince herself that the whole world
was against her, even Peter-her 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, clattored
to 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 jeaiousy-jealousy, green-eyed
and ruthless, whispered: "Why not
read it?" For only moment she fall
tered, then she drew the thick, gray
paper from Its bullying envelope and
read:
"Boston, Massachusetts.
"June 18th, 1923.
peter Dear:
II am sorry to add to your burden,
but I have been thinking over what
you have confded 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,
have thought 1t best to release you
from your engagement-today. I 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 q great relief
to your mother to know that I have
broken with you, and hope she will
be very happy.
"With all good wishes, Peter, I am
saying good-by. but shall always
love you.
"MYRA."
Mrs. Haskell arose, wiped her eyes
and stepped briskly to a panel mirror.
She surveyed her stout and stylish fig
ure.
"An aged woman-an aged woman !"
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, when
Peter came home he found her broil-
ing chops.
you'll not get much supper tonight,
Peter" she called to him gaily. II
have been out all day."
"Good for you, mother!" Peter was
Joyous. "You look as If you have had
happy time-tell us about It,"
"Not until you eat your supper.
+" Mrs. Haskell checked herself.
"Come, Peter, sit down and make up
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. l sat here MISUNDERSTANDING
what would do when you-when
you went to housekeeping for your
self and IL decided to do something
at once, so went down to The Smart
Hat Shop and applied for work. be-
gin tomorrow-$3O q week to start
So you"
But you-you don't have to, moth
er. I-I'm-"
"Yes, know, Peter, but you forget
that I'm still a young woman. Myra
was surprised-she thought that I
was decrepit. l."
"Myra" Peter gasped. "How-what
where did you see Myra? You
haven't"
II called upon Myra today-thought
that ought to, and II think Myra
Is a nice girl; we had very pleasant
talk. She"
"Guess I'll run over" Peter pushed
his chair back. "Myra will like you,
mother, know she will, just as you
like her"
And Peter, lighting cigar on his
way out. called from the doorway.
ANY mail for me, mother?"
And his mother cheerfully replied
mo, Peter-just one letter for me-