Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-12-28

iantly, and resting lovingly, as thought on
my mothers Armchair that stood on the op-
pisite side Of the fireplace. Nv feelings did
not agree with its cheerfulness, and turned
to the window again.
Now We plainly heard wheels upon the
road. Clifton Strengthened himself, and look
ed rigidly at the broken branch Of the linden
tree. The sound came nearer, then stopped,
we knew at the gate; then, after moment,
commenced again, and the carriage drove up
to the door. 1 saw my father hand q lady
out, wrapped in cloak and furs then they
came into the house, and heard the hall
door shut and the sitting-room door OPEN
would not look around, but gazed steadily
into the mist. heard father talking to her.
His voice was different from what had ever
heard it before, so deep and tender, and hers
when she answered, was SO exquisitly soft
and gentle, that it startled me into half-turn-
ing round but the evil spirit conquered, for
the November mist was darkning my heart.
She must have looked . question, for
beard my father say, "Well Edith, what is
ity"
1.-THE boys, Malcolm, our boys, may not
see them now?' r ,a.
Yes, certainly,"-his tone had sort Of
vexation in it" they ought to have been
here to welcome you; it is very wrong, but
they must be some where near; will find
them, and bring them to you." g8 aa..HJ
The door closed after him. And now be-
ing sure that we would not be seen concealed
as we were by the window curtains, turned
round little so as to see her. There sat my
step-mother in my mothers chair, the red
freight playing upon the young sweet face.
which had shade Of gravity, almost sadness
about it. can see it now. Years have
passed, but cannot forget that picture. l
know now that never shall With two
other scenes, it will be painted in never-fad-
ing colors before my eyes, till they close in
death. N
She was wondrously beautiful. Tall, and
perfectly graceful, with the tiniest hands and
feet | ever saw, and small, we'll formed head
with soft brown curls looped back from her
forehead. The dark maroon-colored merino
that she wore, relieved only by plain white
collar and cuffs, heightened the transparency
Of the delicate complexion. Her eyes were
large and grey, with long lashes-moistened,
fancied by tear. 1t may have been. The
face was almost childish in its perfect simple
ity and purity; but still there was determin-
alton in,the setting of the mouth, and woman
" dignity in the open brow; and withal a
holy light seemed to beam upon her counte-
nance-a calm and holy light, as though it
might be the reflection from the wing of her
guardian angel, for it seemed not of earth.
She sat little forward on her chair, one
hand resting on its crimson arm, the other
playing with the folds of her dress, looking
earnestly into the fire. The forked flames
leapcd up brightly and then SAN the glow
ing embers faded into ashes-did she think
that young wife, who only few hours bride
did she think that that life which opened
so brightly to her now when she had Just
crossed the threshold, was to leap upward,
warming our hearts for little while, and
then leaving them cold and dark forever?
How much longer might have gazed at
her do not know; but Clifton, who had
started up, strobe across the floor, dragging
me after him to her side; then in low, awk-
wark tone, he said:
~ am Clifton, ma'am; I'm glad to see
YOU, .... >
had never seen my brother--who was
rather celebrated for cool effrOntery--so ter
ribly embarrassed. But just at that moment
my father returned.
II cannot find them anywhere. O! you
are here, are you? Where have you been
hiding, sir? Clifton, Harold, come and speak
to your mother. What does this mean, sir p
he added, putting his hand heavily on my
shoulder; for had shrunk back, frightened
by his angry look, and thinking how soon
Granny's prophecy seemed coming true, that
our father would not love us any more when
he had a new wife. He raised his hand--it
had never been lifted upon me before--but in
a moment my step-mother had sprung up
with frightened cry, Malcolm y And
she was between me and the blow. His hand
dropped at his side; the stern look passed in
moment from his features. . ..
"There, Edith, take him you will find
him a sad, naughty boy, I'm afraid, but he
will be better with you. I have neglected
them sadly Of late. \ 0ao
She sat down again, and still keeping her
arm around me, as it had oeen raised to shield
me, and drew me towards her, and then hold
ing both my hands in hers, looked up in my
face.
"And this is Harold, my youngest" she
said affectionately, smoothing back the hair
from my forehead, and pressing soft, warm
kiss there; he has your forehead and eyes,
Malcolm, hasn't he! and he must be nv net,
for Clifton is SO tall and manly that he will
not like that name.
| That individual stood with his back to the
table, growing redder every moment, until,
in pity for his confusion, she turned to me
and said in low tone, "We will know and
love each other better soon, Harold"
| In my dreams that night, my ideal and
real stcpmother were strangely blended. -
Sometimes had just been driven from the
door to seek my fortune, and it was all dark
misty, and could not tell where to 20 at
others, stood before her again as had done
that evening, with her soft, white hands on
my brown ones and her earnest grey eyes
looking up into mine, and the gentle voice
said over hundred times, "We will love
each other better soon, Harold"
! In two weeks, Clifton went away to school
but not until he had become perfectly sub
dued. My stepmother treated him with q
difference that flattered his boyish vanity ;
and completely forgetting his vow ofa week
before he was as respectful and obedient as
possible and when he was going, he had to
whistle harder to keep back the tears, than
when be parted from Granny. was Of a
much more obstinate and proud disposition.
Thoroughly imbued with Granny's preiu-
dices, tried my best to find everything
wrong in her. She tried every little tender
act to win my affections; the gentle nursing
when I was sick, the kind interest in nv