Middletown transcript., 1870-10-08
Popular GALES.
MY STEP-MOTHER.

{" 1 wonder what papa has gone to Glen
vile so soon again for DO you know,
Mrs. Allen ?" l asked of the lady who
acted as housekoeper in our family for the
four years that we three children had been
written motherless."
al did not ask him." she replied.
Her evasive reply increased my suspi-
tcion, and after twirling my napkin mo-
ment, l said:
of things, and therefore are not obliged to
ask for information" After a moments
silence, she replied:
" No, Nellie, do not know for what
purpose your father visits Glenville"
" But strongly suspect" l persisted,
"and so do l. Do you not ?"
{" If so, do not think it best to say
anything about it,
Two days after papa returned, and after
tea, we gathered in the parlor, for papa is
a lawyer, and did not stay in his Office
during the evenings. Mrs. Allen took
her knitting, Floric was embroidcring,
and l. took up magazine, but not to
read. had told Floric that the next
time papa asked me to sing, l should sing
the piece entitled II Cannot Call Her
Mother" and as I was momentarily ex-
pecting such request, was trying to
get up sufficient courage to do SO. But
papa sat in his easy chair, with his head
thrown back and his eyes closed. l stole
look at him and whispered to Florie,
doubtless papa is thinking of the fasci-
mating lady who is to be the future Mrs.
Gordon" Before Florie could reply, pa
pa, opened his eyes and asked me to play,
and arose with little fluttcring of the
heart to do SO. I took up pile of music
in order to gain time, and looked it over,
then laying it down upon the music stand
I struck the first note to the prelude of
the piece I had said l would play Be
fore l began the words, Mrs. Allen left
the room She knew what it was, and
thought it might lead to remarks that she
would not like to hear. My voice never
once faltered as l sang it with as much
feeling as could throw into words When
| had finished, there was perfect silence
in the room for few moments. I finally
began lively march, but papa interrupt
ed me, and said in a pleasant tone:
"You need not play any more for me
this evening, Nellie hope you did not
sing those verses because they expressed
your sentiments, did your"
81 do not know what difference it can
make to any one whether these lines ex-
press our feelings or not" replied, rath-
er coldly.
"It will make some difference with your
future happiness" he continued. ri am
to be married soon, and of course that will
make the lady your mother. Are you not
prepared to receive as such any one may
select, and give her the affection of a
daughter?"
Florie broke into tears, and though l
felt choking sensation in the throat, |
replied with some spirit:
"Of course shall treat the future Mrs.
Gordon with respect if she can command
it; but l have mother, though she be in
her grave, whom l cannot forget, if others
can, with such apparent ease"
" Nellie, you forget yourself, if you
mean to insinuate that have forgotten
your mother. l have not nor never shall;
but you could not understand my feelings
if should explain them; therefore l will
say no more. You can act your own plea
sure about loving her, but you must not
forget that she will be mistress of the
house. How is it with you, my daugh-
4s2" turning to Florie, and his voice had
atenderer tone than when he spoke to me;
edo you share your sisters feelings?"
go, papa! l don't want new man.
ma"
"Why do you care, Florie?'
Because she will spoil our plans and
make us do just what we do not wish to,
and watch us all the time, and-and-''
"Who told you all that, my dear?"
"Nellie."
! "Why, Nellie thought yoy had too