Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-11-01
THE
HEATHER
in BLOOM
(0 by d. ]. Walsh.)

TLLEN WALLACE fastened the
r. quaint ole amethyst brooch
L. carefully and her husband re-
garded her with satisfaction.
"YOu look nice, Ellen" he remarked,
cycling the smooth black silk gown,
severely plain but of the best quail
ity, and her soft bands of silvery-
white hair. How | wish l could take
you over to Edinburgh; there are
his voice held note of pathos-
some of the old friends left. I'd like
to show you Edinburgh castle by
moonlight. I remember one night
was in the hotel across the street
from the gardens that lie just below
the hill that is topped by the pile of
gray stones and"
Ellen pinkened. She glanced sharp
ly at the pile of gayly tinted travel
folders that the old man had been
studying. Eric, you are getting rest
less. Ever since that $1,000 was left
me you have wanted to squander 1t
on foreign travel. OF course"-her
voice softened as she regarded the
lean, lined face of the old Scotchman
that queer place with the steep
hills paved with rough cobble-stones
and the outlandish people with their
kits and bagpipes will always seem
like home to you and I'd like to see
old Bruce who lives alone on the
heath with his collie dog for COM
pany. but l can't defraud my kin.
Dick is my brothers son and I want
to leave that $1,000 to him intact"
Eric sighed as she talked. It was
true. Ever since the money had so
unexpectedly arrived he had been.
thinking of Bonny Scotland. An al
most uncomfortable inconsistencies for
his birthplace had seized him and he
longed to feel the deck Of an ocean
liner beneath his feet and hear the
watch boom out the bells. ut is your
money, Ellen, but do You think that
Dick really needs TT We have only
few years left at most and he is
young. With youth one has enthu-
slasm-a future-the old have only
their memories"
"Dick will do better soon," defend
ed Ellen, although there Was an odd
dublousness in her mind even as she
spoke. Sometimes I feel that Lucy
must be extravagant or possibly quar-
relsome for they"
Eric nodded comprehendingly as
Ellen's loyalty prevented further crit
icism of her kin, but he smiled in
wardly as he listened to her belief in
the in-law's culpablllty. Lucy was
only niece by marriage, consequent
ly she must be at fault. Eric was con-
WINGED that Dick, the in-law to him.
was worthless, lazy young fellow,
who would probably never amount to
anything, but he knew to voice his
belief to Ellen would bring down a
storm of angry words and would
really grieve her. Therefore, he puffed
away at his pipe and resumed his
study of the fascinating travel fold
ers. Two thousand dollars would give
them year abroad. IF could only
earn some money" thought the old
captain restlessly, but the empty
sleeve precluded such ambitions.
Ellen went on her way, but so per-
turbed was she from the thoughts
aroused by Eric's speech that she
completely forgot to telephone, accord
ing to her lnvariable custom, to Lucy
announcing her arrival. Lucy lived
at the other end Of the town, and
Ellen hated to go into drug store
and spend the necessary nickel. Long
habits Of thrift remained with her
and nickel dropped into an outside
telephone seemed wasteful to her.
She wanted to leave Dick as much MS
possible. How they will enjoy our
little cottage when we are through
with It," she reflected tenderly. Every
board and nall IN the tiny place was
surrounded by old memories of their
happy youth. Eric had been the kind
est of husbands md had worked and
cherished her with all his strength.
Most of the cottage had been built by
his own hands-before the loss of the
left arm. Here her sparkling blue
eyes dimmed as she remembered his
grief at having to give up nctive work
to depend solely on his pension. This
with the cottage suficed. for they
were accustomed to plain living, but
now doubts assaIled her as she re-
called the longing IN his face when
he spoke OF Scotland and his kIns.
men. After all the money had been
left to them to use and he wanted to
travel She remembered n time when
oh bod aFo uuH nIuah al
her dirk cloth jacket was perfectly
good. Erie had worked nights and
earned enough to surprise her with
the plush garment. and on her wed
ding anniversary she had worn the
warm. sllkllned coat that envelOped |
her with fragrant warmth
She was torn with doubts as she |
went up the steps of the rented house
where Dick lived The place looked |
shabby and uncared for. greatly in |
contrast with Ellen's neat cottuge.
~ would love to cross the ocean"
she thought wistfully. Eric's wander
lust had seized her. but duty looked
grlmly ahead
~ tell you ! won't go and call on
the Smiths baby ! don't care II they
do get another doctor. The old woman
can't last forever and that $1,000 will
go n long way why should | wear
myself out walking and working. The
world owes me n living I'm sorry I
let her spend all thai money to put |
me through medical college. hate
the work. When she drops OF I'll
buy a racing en- and"
Ellrns vrlncd hand was pressed
closely agn!si hei heart Dicks voice,