Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-02

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BELLING THE CAT.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. |

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.l vrs
Now, for time, this was pleasant
enough The doting young husband had
no thought of any thing or any one but his
Felicia, and did not want to be bothered
with household details while his beautiful
spouse regarded her mammals efforts with
every token of tnankfulness. But by and
by came change. At this period was it
that Felicia began to realize she was little
more than visitor in her own pleasant
palace, while VAL suddenly made the dis
covery that the real director Of the house,
hold was his mother-in-law. The young
couple would not at first acknowledge the
mistake they had committed; but. on one
special occasion. after Mrs. Hope had had
particularlh fatiguing day of it. and had
scurried the servants from room to room
until symptoms of rebellion became APP
parent in the lower regions Of the house,
Val. ventured to hint to his wife that he
thought it would be better if she took a
more active part in the domestic arrange
ments at which Felicia burst into tears,
and admitted that she felt disappointed at
not being allowed to hold the reins OF
government.
What was to be done? Mamma was
SO kind and considerate in relieving her OF
all worry and harass, and then, again,
mamma managed the servants so WELL
Both husband and wife readily admitted
that all Mrs. Hopes services were like
those performed by the celebrated Mrs.
Gargery, solely out of "that goodness OF
her heart" still, the state Of affairs was
not satisfactory. Weeks passed on, and
the situation remained unaltered. Once,
indeed, VAL had, at breakfast time, timid-
ly limited that he thought it shame SO
much responsibility should be thrown up
on Mrs. Hope; but she would not let him
finish his sentence. A tear rose to her
soft brown eyes, and placing her hand up
on his, she murmured, .No, dear Valen-
tine, do not think feel any weight of care
or responsibility.
1t was by your wish l came into this
house, and the thought of living with my
child after she became another's has made
me inexpressibly happy. For years past
| looked forward with dread to the day
when her hand would be sought in mar
riage, and when my eyes would cease to
be gladdened by her presence but at oc-
casional and perhaps long intervals. You.
Valentine, dissipated my fears; she Is still
my child, and though l have resigned her
to your care, she is no more stranger to
me then when she rested upon my bosom.
All do in this house is pleasure to me.
feel am working for those ! love, and
/ strive to relieve them of vexatious care"
At this. kind hearted Val. and his wife
protested that any idea of separation from
their dear mother was farthest from their
thoughts.
Mrs. Hopes speech was. however, not
yet at an end; when her children would al
low, she resumed. her voice now somewhat
tremulous: IF thought either Of you
wished me gone, would not vex you with
my presence an hour longer. Deny me
the privilege of working for you,
and | am miserable; let me go on
easing your cares, and have attained the
extent Of my desires. All, now, silly one,
tell me you were only laughing at your
poor old mother" 'o.@a n"sAa
She rose from the table, and clasping
her daughter (now, of course, in tears) In
her arms, gazed wistfully into valantine's
face. The young husband felt a guilty
flush rise to his cheek, but he had not the
courage to tell her the truth. Apparently
satisfied, the blooming widow resumed her
seat, looking once more as bright, fresh,
and beautiful as summer landscape lit
by the rays of the morning sun. 343saaa
lcoNCLUDED TOMORROW. ss'aA