Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-14

foot of the stairs. at would have gratitied
me very much II you yourself would have
conducted her to her rooms, as she Is a
stranger here, and"
"I am not servant" said Clara, frigid-
", and her father said no more.
When Mrs. Melton came down a few
minutes later, CLARA was almost tempted to
love her in spite of everything, so pretty
and winning was shea bright little bru-
nette, with melting bazel-brown eyes,
peach-like complexion, and lips that SEEM
ed made only TO smile.
"She Is my stepmother," said Clara TO
herself, and she grew colder every mo-
ment.
The days and weeks and months passed
away. Aunt Patience and Mrs. Parker
wagged their capped heads ominously.
"She was great deal too young and too
pretty. They couldn't imagine what Har-
nv Melton was thinking about when he
brought home such child as that for his
wifei Clara would find trouble with her
yet-see II she didn't!'
"Clara, dearest" said Mrs. Melton, one
morning, as Clara sauntered down to the
breakfast table rather late, and sleepy,
"your father and l were speaking about
that young Mayhem who was here last
night; we do not exactly like his manners
and appearance. Are you very anxious
that he should continue his visits here?'
"I like Mr.. Msyhew," said Clara, indif-
ferently, "and shall continue to receive
| his visits"
"But Clara, think. -"
1.-The fact that you are my stepmother
gives you no authority over me and my
visitors" said Clara insolently. Mrs.
Parker thinks I am quite old enough to Sc
lect my own society,""
Mrs. Melton made no reply; but Clara
knew that she was bitterly wounded, and
she reioiced in her vain, wifu little heart
"You were quite right my dear" said
Aunt Patience, when she heard the story.
"Once give that woman an inch and she'll
take an ell. The idea of shutting you out
from all society-a young girl like you, be-
| cause"
"But she didn't want to shut me out from
all society," said Clara honestly; "it was
only Jack Mayhem"
"No matter; it would amount to the
same thing in the long run If you COM
menced by indulgng her."
"The idea of her being a housekeeper,"
ehimed in Miss Samantha. "Why the
| cook told me yesterday that she never had
an idea how many potatoes were boiled for
| dinner, and that the pickles were ferment-
| ing shockingly."
Sand she hasn't put up tomato, to my
| certain knowedge," said Aunt Patience.
"Well, well, I don't know, for my part,
what the word is coming tor
Meanwhile, poor little Mrs. Melton was
sitting in the twilight at her husbands side
talking about Clara.
"I don't know what to do, Henry" she
| said, ipgeniously. "She is the most affec-
| tionate little creature in the world, yet her
heart is as entirely barred against me as if
1 were her bitterest enemy. She rejects
alike my love, my sympathy, and my COM
panionship, and seeks for these in the soci-
ETY. of the old ladies at Mr.. Parker's. her
own mothers relations. It's very hard,
Henry"
"Shall l speak to her, Nina?"
"Not for worlds That would only rouse
her resentment ana jealousy.
"But it is unjust toward you my love, to
| permit this insolent manner of hers.
have frequently seen the guests at our ta-
| BILE shocked and surprised at it,"
Nevertheless, dearest, we must wait.
Perhaps in time, may be able to win her
affection. In the meanwhile, any attempt
at coercion or reproach would entirely es-
TRANCE her."
"Well, have things your own way, my
little Nina" said her husband, affection
ately.
And the discussion was abruptly brought
to a close by Clara's own footstep on the
piazza floor. Mr.. Mayhem had escorted
her home from Mrs. Parker's cottage; but
neither Mr.. or Mrs. Melton made any COM
ment upon her cavalier.
Two or three days afterward Mr.. Melton,
glancing over the morning newspaper at
the break fast table, uttered brief excla-
nation.
"What is it, papa?" asked Clara.
"Rather dsagreeable piece of news for
you, my daughter; your gallant friend,
Mr.. Jack Mayhem, has been arrested for
embezzling his employers funds and lodg-
ed in the Tombs."
"Impossible, papav'
"Read it for yourself"
He handed the newspaper over to Clara
She perused the paper with burning cheeks,
fully expecting an outburst of triumph
from her stepmother-the bitterest draughl
that could at that moment have been held
to her lips but Mrs. Melton only said.
quietly:
~ am exceedingly sorry. Mr.. Mayhem
was too young and handsome to have his
career thus suddenly cut short. Let US
hope there is some mistake about It,"
Clara's heart softened strangely toward
her stepmother as she heard the mildly.
spoken words.
"I wish you would not go, Clara. 1t is g