Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-05-03
Because of His
Mother
BY HENRY CLARK
(Copyrlght.l

-FOUR years John Underwood had
= been the mainstay of the unpopu-
lar girls of Cedarville. Any girl
finding herself out of luck at the last
moment regarding an invitation to
some fCstivity could depend on him
as an escort, provided she had not
been forcstalled by n sister In similar
plight, The reason for Johns avail
ability was that he himself never
asked anybody anywhere.
Occasionally he felt called upon for
an explanation. "You see," he would
say, 81 must think Of my mother.
While she lives could not let myself
consider the-er-support of-er-a
wife. And it's unfair to girl to
monOpoize her so that some other
man, not thus placed, is kept from
counting her"
Very square of him, his audience
would feel and, If 1t were young, ad-
miro him tremendously. II 1t were
oldish, 1t envied his mother.
Cedarville was one of those neigh
borly little communities which sit UP
nights taking friendly interest in
one nnothers affairs, and when Johns
father died 1t became public property
that he had left only the large stucco
house and moderate insurance to
his wife, and to John his coal, wood
and Ice business.
If 1t hadn't been for Johns depend
ent mother all Cedarville knew the
boy could have married long ago.
"What n sweet little thing Carrie
Watrous u.s." his mother remarked one
evening from her side of the mahog.
any dining table. "And Paula Scott
has such lovely eyes"
"Yes, mother" said John. "Can I
serve you little of this white meatf
Georgiana certainly can broll"
"Where is Marllyn Droege these
days?" asked Mrs. Underwood. "She
will make some man splendid Wife"
"Rlghto," said John. 81 wonder II
l may be excused2 That Rotary af-
fair begins early"
It can be seen that John bore his
sacrifice quietly. He was not the one
to dwell on the girls and their at
fractions as one who feels himself
cheated.
Shortly after this conversation
Paula SCOTS cousin came to visit her.
Now Paula was much in demand and
never needed Johns escort for per-
sOnal use. But she did think of him
for Elsie for the Tennis club dance,
and dated him up accordingly.
Elsie fell for John-hard Out on
the balcony he told her gently just how
he was situated, and she laid soft
hand on his sleeve and turned up at
him two large Orbs trimming with
attitude and she thought the more Of
him for It!
The very next day she boldly man
ufactured an Grand with Paula's
amused help. that took them to call
on Mrs. Underwood 1t was the first
OF n series Of neighbOrly visits. Elsie
had winning way of absorbing the
gems of wisdom possible for an older
woman to let fall.
Meanwhile the other delved deep
into the recesses OF Elsle's simple per-
sOnality. She deduced that she had
not had very much masculine atten-
ton; that her tastes were quietly do
nestle and her virtues hOmely ones |;
that she would lend herself to be
gently nodded by those with whom
she lived What she discovered led
Mrs. Underwood deliberately to make
up her mind.
"John," she said one evening, "lt's
not natural for you to sacrifice your
life for me. II 1t wasn't for me you'd
marry"
"Probably," said John absent
mndedly.
"FrOm now on" continued his moth
er, 81 am taking myself Off your
hands. am bored with doing moth
our little library. Not that | need the
work You know and I know, my
dear boy, that with what | have
could manage very well But now
you and El-and any girl you fancy
are free to live your own lives"
John did not rise and with beam
ing face, embrace his mother. He
frowncd, and went out to keep an
engagement with Elsie made by
Paula.
An hour later his mother sat writ
ing to glrhood friend
"Well, at last | fancy I've driven
John into matrlmOny. It's an attl-
tude. | suppose, few mothers take,
and II ncccsstated desperate meas
ures. But John was getting so set
in his ways! And friendly little
daughtcr-ln-law and some day cOu-
pie Of nice grandchildren will repay
me for few months poklng around
boOkshelves. The girl Is dear"
At that very moment her son was
holding tight In his arms the girl Of
his mothers choice. He was still In
a state of bewlderment and not yet
quite sure how the situation had come
about. Could 1t be that he, John I'm
dcrwOOd. was shared In the very net
he had 50 long lodged?
"Do you know what first made me
love you, dear? Knowing how good
you were to your mother. Oh, hope
she won't mind giving you partly up,
but she told me yesterday how 1t
grieyed her to see you caring for
somebody-she didn't say wh0-and
feeling that you must not propose be-
cause Of her. Tell me, John, / haven't
been too forward in letting you see l.
I cared, tOOp
Johns clasp frightened. D0rnatlon !
Did captiyes, after all, cherish the
chains that bound them7
RTTRT0N n DOYLE