The guardian., 1940-12-28
BOnnie's Mother
.
By MARY WILSON
ASSOCIATED Newspapers.)
WNU Service.

doubt about it. The news spread
rapidly through Ravenna, a town of
10000, for Sam and Theresa were
both important enough to be of in
terest, not only to Ravenna but to
the neighboring city of Philadelphia.
Although many years Theresa's
senior, Sam was the most eligible
widower in Ravenna.
Theresa was a charming woman,
highly educated, extensively trav-
eled and thoroughly cosmopolitan.
Sam and Theresa were deeply in
love-that was apparent-yet, some
how, they did not wed.
eff you must know" Theresa's
somewhat crusty old father had said
to an inquisitive neighbor, Theresa
doesn't want to assume the RESPONSE
bility of mothering five children.
And l don't blame her."
That, in fact, was the very thing
that kept Theresa single. So Raven
ma concluded. If Theresa became
Mrs. Donovan she automatically be-
came the mother of five youngsters,
two boys and three girls, Bonnie,
the youngest, being eight, and Ma
dine, the eldest, II.
Nadine was a beautiful spoiled
young creature, who ruled her IA
ther, the house, the other children,
her schoolmates and her teachers
with an imperious sway. Theresa
was afraid of Nadine.
Well might Sam Donovan love
Theresa. She was only ten years
older than Sans oldest daughter,
and much of the loveliness of youth
had clung to her. She looked scarce
ly any older than Nadine.
Poor little Nadine. She needs
you" Sam pleaded with Theresa.
She lacked mothers care at the
most critical period of her life."
Thus Sam urged his suit, thinking
thereby to strengthen it.
And is that the only reason you
seek my hand in marriage, Sam
Donovan?" she asked, sly twinkle
in her eye.
Sam, realizing how inept his
speech had been, hastened to make
amends most effectively with a ca
ress and a swift rush of loving
words.
Theresa, darling. You know l
worship you, aside and apart from
the kids and their needs. Only l
thought, perhaps, you might come to
know them and to love them in time,
as l do" Sam hurried on. 'I'l
give you my word of honor they'll
never intrude on you, never make
demands on your time, never inter-
fere with your personal life"
Again Theresa smiled knowingly.
Only Theresa knew the truth. 1t
was not the responsibilities nor the
curtailment of her personal freedom
that she dreaded She even courted
them, and it was the appeal of those
five motherless children that in
clined her toward Sam. She dreaded
Nadine. The young chit had pub
licly snubbed her on several occa-
sions and had said ugly things.
Not for worlds would Theresa tell
Sam the truth. That doting parent
had done everything a man could do
to spoil his children, but he had no
idea of the persecution to which
Theresa was being subjected.
Determined that they should all
become better acquainted, Sam
gave an elaborate family dinner. He
invited host of relatives and had
in a caterer from Philadelphia to
cook and serve the meal. Theresa
would have preferred quiet family
dinner.
The affair would have gone off
very well, except that Nadine chose
at the last moment deliberately to
absent herself, pleading a previous
engagement. Only then, for the first
time, did Sam sense the true state
of affairs. Throughout the long din
ner he evolved in his mind various
schemes for dealing effectively with
that 17-year-old offspring.
On the whole, however, the din
ner was a great success. But The
resa's mind was in a turmoil. Ap-
parently it was to be war to the
knife as far as Nadine was con-
cerned. Theresa's courage failed
her. She felt she just could not
face the thought of years of combat
ahead. She made up her mind to
tell Sam the truth after dinner
that it was better that they should
give one another up.
Theresa wanted to break the news
to Sam in beautiful spot. 1t would
be a blow, she knew--a blow for
both of them. So she asked him to
take her out on an inclosed veranda,
charming outdoor sort of room.
AS the two approached the room
their attention was attracted by a
childish treble voice. 1t seemed to
be repeating a phrase time and
again. Theresa and Sam entered qui-
etly. There was eight-year-old Bon
ME curled up in a big leather chair.
Over and over again she kept say
ing the word mother"
Suddenly the child looked Ap-
parently Bonnie was not in the least
disconnected. With all the frank
ness of childhood she smiled up at
them. II was just practicing so |
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