New Britain herald., 1925-12-26
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70 1895 by NEA SERVICE INC.

say such gloomy things again, They're not true and I cant stand them. Whats on your mind?"
 Just this, babs." hcr mother re- piled. slowly. Pm worried about you. It seems to be you're living q miserable life. Day after day, I've watched you and feared for you How long can you go on like this? You're missing everything that makes life worth living" Mrs, Flaw Icy sank lower in the bed from the effort of speaking,
 Why honey" replied Barbara, "I'm not leading such a hard life. It's long hours and heavy work, but l like it. And you know wanted my own life. You musnt worry about me"
 Her mother was not listening, "If I should so, Barbara, what would become of you? It torrifles me. I'm afraid 10 die because of 1t. You'll be knocked around with nobody to care what happens to you,
 It isn't the old maid part of it that is so awful-it's the being alone in your later years having any piece that belong to you. I'm afraid l should not have encouraged you to give up Bruce" Mrs. Hawley's head dropped sideways on the pillow. Bar bara saw tears glistening.
 IInp o,t,,> ,,3ptth tiobtnpai iGtnr mother dear, I'm all right. I'm one of those restless souls who can never be satisfied to belong anywhere. If l were tied to a home and man, I'd be kicking over the traces in a year or two and going out for ad- venture. And that would be worse than the life I'm in now,
 AS for Bruce. ."--her voice was harsh-~'ho's proved what sort he is by marrying his Voletta. You ought 10 thank God you backed me up in that"
 She rose suddenly and turned away so that her mother could not sec her face But Mrs. Hawley reach cd for her hand, There's nothing in all the world so fearful as loncli- ness, Babs, she said. We all have to go through life more or less by ourselves, Nobody can meet the crisis with us. But just to have somebody who loves us-that's the only defense there is against the cold.
 Don't forget you won't always be young and lovely and sought after, You're agcing right now, with the long, hours and all. And sometime Babs, you'll know that there is mo- body who really need you or finds vou loyable. And when that day comos-,I'm afraid" She sat up in bed again and began to clasp and unClasp her hands.
 Barbara stock looking at her help lcssly What is it you want me to do, mumsy?" she asked. "Td do anything to make you happy
 Mrs. HaWley raised her eyes to Rarbara's. They were glittering with fever. "promise me that if love ever comes again, you'll take it, Barbara"
 The girl turned her head away, That's q large promise, munsy." she said, T don't trust love. And it won't some again. But I'll always be able to take care of mysclf.' She spoke brightly.
 The woman in the bed stirred rcatlcssly and slipped down among tho pillows. "It'G a terrible thing this living
 Barbara brought glass of fresh water and smoothed her mothers he'd. "Try to get some sleep, mumsy, dear You musn't waste these valu- able hours worrying about a make believe bogey. You're going to be better soon and then we'll go to all the shows together and have a gor- geous time. I'll never be lonely with you"
 There was no answer.
 Barbara went back to bed and to sleep almost at once. Youth and health demanded their due.
 In the morning, when Barbara awoke, sho found her mother much better. Miss Upton, the nurse, ar ranged a breakfast table by the bed where Barbara could eat with her mother. Mrs. Hawley was brighter than for many days, and listened chccrfully while Barbara talked. But sometimes q shadow passed across her drawn face.
 A ncwsboy out on the street shout ed "Wuxtry." Barbara ran to the window. The youngster wore the bag supplied to Telegraph carriers. She knocked on- the window and bockoned to him.
 She met him with the necessary pennies on the front porch Big real estate swindle," said he, his freclllod face beaming at her. "Sellin' lotta papers this morning. Guess everybody in towns lost some money in it."
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