New Britain herald., 1927-06-23

to myself and found that had m
 arms about Phillips neck. I had th
 sams feeling that had when he,
 baby. was first placed in my arms I realised that ell the pain an
 heart sickness that had been min
 ever sincs that day almost tw
 ysars ago when hs first told mo h had enlisted had gone. ! had m
 baby grown to bs . man-but stil
 my baby. It was as though I hal borne him twice, once in my body and once in my souls travail "John, few mothers' sons mean tt them what Phillip means to me. have bsen not only his mother. bu have stood in the place of his father whom he never saw. I reall, do not believe that I have any lovt left for anyone else. Perhaps in tho future something might change my mind, but in tho meantime il would not bs fair to you to keep you waiting around for something that would be-even if by any pos sibility 1t sheuld be given to you not worth accepting"
 John Aukland placed his hand over the small one which was lying on tho table.
 '"The least you could give me. Anne, would be moro than worth tho taking. I know. dear, that l am almost impertinent to keep my af- fairs in the foreground at this mo- ment, but want you to remember you must remember, dear girl. that I loved you long before you were the mother of this boy.
 "Do you not knoe< dear. that however much he was stirred by this unexpected meeting. when he has time to adjust himself. both his mind and his heart will seek those of his own age?"
 Why do you torture me. John ?"
 T do not mean to. Anne. but what I have just been telling you is life. IL is inevitable. However, I will not worry you any longer. Como, I have never in my life been into . woman's shop"
 Truly the old order changeth"
 The day passed much faster for Anne than she had thought it pos- sible. She found herself buying gowns and hats and wraps and neg ligees-for Phil. Would he like this? Would this be so becoming that he would think his mother was beau- tiful?
 This" was a cloth of gold eve ming wrap that Major Aukland, who had really become interested In the shopping, had admired extravagant- ly.
 You look like the goddess of the sun in that golden cloak. Anne" he said.
 Do you think Phil will like me in it 2" said Anne, wistfully.
 T never heard him accused Of not having good taste. am sure he will adore you in it."
 I'n take the gold evening wrap" she said without hesitation.
 It was 6 o'clock before they start ed for the hotel, and Mrs. Tracy in- sisted that the major should dine with her in her suite at the hotel.
 After dinner they went for ride along the Bois.
 Almost sleepily Anne talked to John Aukland.
 Strange, isn't it, how different roads and places look when 1t is night. During the day this Is an abode Of fashion. but at night-or perhaps should at at least to- night'-it Is a velvety path over which we are gliding straight to happiness.
 "Take me back to the hotel, John. have changed my mind about na- ture. This night and this drive has filled me with a delicious calm. When I think to what looked for ward this morning, I am absolutely filled with awe. l thought when l awakened that by night would be mad with impatience and uncer- tainty: instead, I am sleepily con- tent. Tomorrow will awake to breakfast with Phil.
 T will not come to see you to- dear" said the major. You will have so much to talk over with your son that I would only be in the way"
 If John Aukland had hoped that Anne would disclaim his being in the way, he must have been disap- pointed. for she said. eagerly:
 "Yes, dear John. but I know you that tomorrow anybody on this earth would be in the way"
 He made no comment, as saying Good night" again. he left the woman with whom he felt he was more in love than ever in hopeless frame of mind. It humiliated him to think that the outcome of the de- votion he had given to Anne should be dependent on the whim or preju- dice of boy It seemed to him a most untoward fate that the son of Phillip Wyrne Tracy III should carry on the battle for Anne's love. which the father had commenced so long ago.
 For the first time in 20 years John Aukland was ready to rail against the fate that had given Anne to Tracy instead of himself.
 He told himself that her husband had never made her happy: that Phillip would probably marry and leave her in the next few years at most, and she would be alone.
 Phil's mother, however, had no such thoughts as that to trouble her as she prepared for bed.
 All she could see in the future was path of light which she would travel with her son by her side.
 After her talk with Natlee, she was almost sure that her mind was torn between Jerome Kenyon and Phillip. and if Phil did not return to America for some time, Jerome