Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-11-16
The Little Store
of Mother Lore
BY DOROTHY GAINES
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(CopyrlEht.l

MOTHER NINE and Ted watched
AVA Sonia trip down the garden path
and into the waiting roadster with
curlously interesting expressions In
their eyes.
Sonia in her wide blue hat and
fluffy blue frock resembled a bit of
the summer sky, and the stalwart,
good-looking man at the wheel of the
roadster couldn't help a CLEAN of tri-
umph lighting his eyes as they
skinned from Sonia to the porch
where his rival Ted watched with
Mother Mine.
And because Ted loved Sonia's
mother and because he felt that he
would not be misunderstood he gave
voice to the broodlng thoughts that
had been rumbllng about In his mind
for some time.
Mother Nine" he said softly-he
always called Sonla's mother by that
dearest of all names since he had no
mother of his Own-"don't think me
an awful cad for saying It butt
don't think Sonia would be happy very
,long-lf she marries Harry. I'm an
awful dufter at expressing myself
especially when 1t comes to my love
for Sonia, but somehow even my
masculine intelligence tells me that
Sonia has something big and fine about
her that only you seem to bring to
the surface. She adores you. What
Is your mother lore? want to know
II want to learn the secret and to
help Sonia to reach that big niche
that can't help feeling will bring her
to ultimate happiness"
Mother Mines eyes lit up with a
great flame Of love for Ted and the
regret that had prevailed vanished be-
fore the big. man at her side ceased
expressing his thoughts.
She spoke with warmth that
filed Ted's heart with Joy.
you've voiced the very thoughts
that have been troubling me Of late,
Teddy Boy. Sonia has been drifting
Idly on the sea Of a good time and
forgetting that she has great gift
for writing. Harry is fine chap
but he will always be content to let
Sonia drift and some day know my
daughter VIII regret throwing away
her gift in the pursuit Of mere pleas
ure. She does not realize 1t n0w-but
she will later She will come face
to face with regret for which moth
ing can ever compensate"
Ted looked wistfully up at Mother
Mine.
rs there any We you could i'm
part some Of that mother lore to my
mans brainH Are there any little
pointers you could give me so that
too, could weave the spell Of apbl
tlon about Sonia, so that when she's
not with you I could perhaps keeI
her interested In her work. I'd work
awfully hard, Mother Mine, to share
that side Of Sonia with you"
"Dear boy" said SOnla's mother.
then smiled down at him. II think
II you were to think out plots for
stories and insist on talking them up
with her-helplng her to work out
stories and taking genuine interest
In their Development believe Sonia
would respond at once. You know,
Teddy, most men, no matter how much
they love a girl, are not really inter-
ested In any work she may be do
ing"
II know IT," said Ted. "We're a
lot OF cads when 1t comes tOfn0urish-
ing any little secret ambitions our
womenfOlks have. It's darned
shame added Ted.
Moth.r Mine laughed as she had
not laughed for days-days In which
she had watched Sonia drifting from
all that was lasting and worth while
in life
"Well--Pll tell you what to do, Ted.
You just nose about for plots and
Ideas and then begin sprlnglng them
on SOnia gradually-I know her well
enough to feel that you will very soon
supplant all other admirers. And once
you've touched the great pulse OF the
Inner woman and stirred the sleeping
genius into activity I feel-ln fact,
know, Teddy Boy, that you will at
the same time klndle fire not only
In the brain but In the heart Of Sonia"
"You're darling, Mother Nine"
said Ted and treated her to large
hug "And you won't mind II | take
Sonia Into some Of the byways OF the
city to show her the other side OF
life II will stir her Imagination and
start her thinking more than all the
jazz places In the world 1t will give
her atmosphere. Meantime must
read up the papers for some murder
and mystery plots and get that fire
klndled." He laughed bOylshly. II
don't even feel Jealous OF Harry now,
for somehow think his goose Is
cooked. The little store Of mother
lore you have given me is going to
send all Sonla's sultOrs scootlng-all
but me-"
And there was no slightest doubt,
within n years time, that Sonia was
almost rs much OF slave to Ted as
she was to her beloved mother; and
all other men seemed to be forgotten
while the world and her ambitions held
only two persons. Her stories were
positively bursting upon the editorial
horizons and the public was beginning
10 shout for more.
And out on the veranda Ted and
Mother Mine sat close together, while
Sonia, up In her secluded nest Of a
den, polished on the finish Of a great
murder tale. In the eyes Of Mother
Mine there was no regret and In Ted's
no Jealousy.
They smiled happy In their secret.