The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-06-05
By KATHLEEN NORRIS

u
thoughts are so curiously
~ different from first ones
that one finds oneself, somewhat
shamefacedly, completely re-
versing the original position.
That's what happened to me
after I read this letter, which
presents a strange and unusual
problem.
''My dear Mrs. Norris" writes a
Pittsburgh woman who signs herself
only Troubled Mother" I am a
widow with two daughters, Sally
and Betsey. Sally, now %, was in
jured four years ago when return
ing from an evening party. Her ia
Their had refused to let her go, but
her escort was boy we had known
for some time and I finally yielded
and said yes. Unfortunately the boy
became affected by drink on this &C.
casion, and Sally came home with
another group. There was terri
BILE accident, one of the girls and
the driver were killed, and some
thing happened to Sally's spine so
that she never can walk. I have al
ways felt that grief over this tragedy
shortened my husbands life. He
died of flu the following winter.
Confined to Wheel Chair.
Fortunately we were left well
provided for, and although unfortu-
nate investments have somewhat
lessened our holdings, I have been
able to provide my girls with a
charming home, garden, music, ed
ucation, hospitality. My Sally is a
beautiful creature, wheeling herself
about from porch to garden, refus-
ing to be invalided. They tell me
there is no reason why she should
not be wife and even a mother.
''That is the problem. About
year ago she met doctor who was
born and whose family lives in this
city. He is Economically cookbook
ing, steady, ambitious and success
full, and my poor little girl fell mad
ly in love with him at once and can
think of nothing but Hugh.
''He liked her, and was always
gentle and brotherly and sympathet-
ic with her. They talked books, mu-
sic, played games, but Hugh never
made love to Sally, even when Wis
IDLY she grew almost frantic with the
emotions that were too much for her.
Finally I told Hugh of the situa-
ton. He was much amazed and
very thoughtful, saying that at 81 he
had been once or twice in love but
that he had never thought of Sally
in that connection, had indeed made
sort of petted little sister of her.
He said he would think about it.
Wants Entire Estate.
when he brought me his answer
it was this. That he really loved
Sally without being in love with her
and was very fond of Betsey, too.
Betsey is 10. He said he would
marry Sally if I would make over
to him my home and my proper
ties and all the girls properties and
give him the complete management
of the estate. That on no other
terms would he consider the ar
rangement, as Sally must always
have an attendant near her and he
felt the responsibility too much 9TH
erwise. Sally and Betsey will in
herit their share when Betsey is Is.
I told him I felt deeply ashamed
that I had betrayed my child by
making him the original suggestion.
''He was called away at just this
time for a three months stay in a
Chicago hospital, and Sally dropped
almost into illness. She grew thin
and pale, lost all her animation, and
became shadow of herself. Moth
ing we could do reused her, but
when Hugh returned 10 days ago
she suddenly blossomed into radi-
ance again and sent for him at once.
After long talk he told me that
he was still willing to accept my
proposition, but on his own terms. I
temporized, feeling that Sally's
whole future is at stake, and am
sending you an air-mail envelope
with an assumed name so that I