The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-01-05

We'll, Edith. what IL it!"
"Thc bOys, MaIcolln, our boyS, may !
not See them nOwI"
Yes. certainly, his tone had a sort
Of vcxHtiOn In it-"they ought to have
been here to welcome you; il Ia very
wrong, but they must 6e somewhere near;
will hnd them aud bring them 10 you. I"
The door closed after him. And now
being sure that we could not be seen, con.
cealsd o. We were by the window curtains,
turned round little so as tn sce. There
sat my Stvpp0thcr IN my mothers chair,
the red tire.light playing upon the young.
sweet face, which had shade Of gravity,
almost sadness about IL. can see Il now
Years have passed, but | cannot forget
that picture.
She was wOndrouSly beautiful. Tall.
and perfectly graceful, with tho tinieSt
hands and feet ever saw, and small,
well formed head, with soft, brown curlS
lOopCd back FROM her forehead. The dark
maroon cOlorcd merino that she wore.
relieved only by the plain white collar
and cuffs, heightened the transparency Of
the delicate complexion.
Her eyes were large and gray, with
long laShcs-moiStcnci, fanCicd, by =
tear. II may have been. The face was
almost childish in It's perfect simplicity
and purity; but still there was deter.
minatiOn in the setting Of the mouth, and
womanly dignity in the open brow and
witllal holy light seemed to beam upon
her countenance-R cain aud holy tight,
AZ though Il might be the reflection from
tho wing Of her guardian angel, for it
seemed not Of earth. -
She sat little forward on her chair,
one hand resting on it's crimson arm, the
other playing with the folds Of her dress,
looking earnestly into tho fire.
! How much longer might have ga1ed
at hCr do not know Gnt Clifton, .wh0
had started up, strobe across the tio0r,
dragging me after him to her side; and
then in low, awkwatd tone, lhe seid
am Clifton, ua'am; I'm glad to see
you"
had never before seen my brother -
who was rather celebrated for cool ciFront.
cry--so terribly embarrassed. But just
at that moment my father returned.
~ cannot find them anywhere. Obi
you are here, are you I. Where have YEA
been hiding, sirsy Clifton, llarold, come
and speak to your mother. What does
this mean, sir." hc added putting his
hand heavily upon my shoulder, for I had
Shrunk back, frightened by his angry
look, and thinking hOw soon GranUy's
prophecy seemed coming true-lhat our
father would not love us any ulorS whess
he had q new wife. lie raised his hand
lit had never been &aed upon mS hsforU
but ii . moment nv Slep.mOther had
sprung up with . frightened cry, "Mal.
cOlm!" And she was between lne aud
the blow. His hand dropped at his side,
and the stern look passed in q moment
from his features.
"Thcrc, Edith, take him -youwill iind
him sad naughty boy, l'm afraid, but
he will be better with you. have neg
lected them sadly Of late"
She sat down again, and still keeping
her arm around me, rs il had been raised
to shield me, drew me towards HOr, and
then, holding both my hands in hers,
looked up in my face.
"And this is Harold, my youngest"
she said, affectionatcly. smoothing back
the hair from my forehead, aud pressing
a soft, warm kiss thcrr; "hc haa your
forehead aud eyes Malcolm, HASN'T he ,
and he must be my pet, for Clifton is so
tall and manly that he will not like that
naItic."
That individual stood with his back to
tho table, growing redder every moment,
until, in pity for his confusion, she turned
to me, aud said in low tone:
1--WE will know and love zach other
better soon, Harold"
In two weeks Clifton went away to
school, but not until no had become per.
fectly subdued. My stcp.pother treated
him with a difference that flattcred his
boyish vanity; and completely forgetting
his VOW Of a week beforc. he was rs no.
sprcttIl and Obcdicnt as posSible-and
when he was going. he had to whistle
harder to keep back the tears than when
he parted frOm Granny. Iwas Of more
obstinate and proud disposition. Thor
oughly imbned with GraRMyNs prriudices,
tried my best 10 lind everything wrong
in her. ShO. tried every little tender art
to win my Affections: the gcntls nursing
when was sick, the kind interest in my
plays and occupations, the affccti0Matr
caIcSS; and when the terrible truth
dawned-np0n her that | scOWid ret love
her, these were withdrawn, but continued
with mournful tenderness that almost
conquered ME.
'Often lOnged to lay my head in her
lap, and tell Der that did love her, but
pride came to my aid, Had she. not TAX.
AN mo Vn,RharaS vn1aroN Il.J ,,,e \ 49,. -
that | would not love her, and would nev.
er call her mother! Aud I woulL not,
and tried to scOrn Clifton for being 50
easily conquered.
Il was q cold, wet day in January.
had not been well, and as my father went
out OF the door, my Step.mOther said
pleasantly:
1--WE must find amusement in doors,
Harold, for cannot let you out to-day" 3"
Only the day before the boys had taunt,
cd me tOr being ruled by her, because
had quoted about snme trifling matter !;
tuow was good time to show my indr,
pendeUce; so replied, Without lOokirg
up. that I must 80 out, for had some,
thing d. do IN the AAFN. | was going
when she called me back.
| Harold! listen 10 me-"
turned and looked at her. Her eyes
were full Of tears. but the lines about her
mOush we're Hxea
"NOw, HaFNld. you must not 20 out
this morning; have forbidden it"
Ny Spirtt waS reused ia moment il
Was TIN ilFst time she had SpakUn 90 de-
cidedly; now EaS the time to show she
wSs nothing 10 me- whiSlled tune
and walked quietly out Of the house as
hr o. the barn; then, Is there was roth,
lag to interest Me there. and NY purpose
wss accomplished. | rSturasd slowly to
the house.
Ny steP-nOther was sewing when en-
tered. Her face was very pals and grew
paler IS ! came n. She ross immediato,
", and tOok ny hand in herA TAegsAsp
Of the ksala Aaad waa6rSa, ana sAsra was
L. l. A. ~