New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-04-24
ears all my indignant and tumultuous


feelings.
My husband tried no more to reconcile
me to the fact of the child:s residence
with US. / saw that he was as displeased
with nv conduct as was with his. But
surely / had reason to be angry. Not
only was second wife-a position to
which l had a strong ohjection-bu but a
vulgar farm-bred boy was to come among
us, stealing from my baby the fathers love
and the rights of tirst-born that should
have been his
Bitter tears did I shed that day beside
the cradle when Kendall had left for
Springmead with "Good-by, Mi;cent,"
called from the bottom of the stairs. I
imagined that 1 had already became less
dear to him, and laid the whole blame of
the unpleasantness upon the boy who had
come between us.
"Never mind, my baby!'' cried, press
ing my lips to little Franks velvet cheek.
1--WE will love and comfort one another
through it all.''
On Wednesday morning received a
long fond letter from my husband, full of
tender words for myself and baby, Dlam-
ing himself for his secrecy, and pleading
very hard for mothers love for his Sscn,
however. troublesome as he night prove
at first. He said that he had already seen
my parents, having stopped for that pur
pose when halfway to Springmead, and
that they had treated him with forbear-
ing kindness ne could never forget. In
stead Of adding this letter to the precious
packet in my dressing case, l tore it up
after the first perusal; was far too an
cry with my fate to be just towards my
husband.
asked my cousin Mrs. Tudor to spend
the day with me, and she came to lunch,
accompanied by her two children, and
her sister Miss Clemence-their presence
would take away some Of the awkward
nervousness with which looked for
ward to Kendal's return. I did not en-
large on the facts of the case, But told
them simply that Mr.. Darcy had been
deceived as to the death of his first wife, s
child, taking it for granted that they
were aware of previous marriage. My
cousins showed neither surprise nor Gu
aosity, whatever their feelings may have
been. Miss Clemence hoped Willie would
be good boy, and give me no annoy
ance; and Mrs. Tudor. turning to her
boy and girl, extensively dressed in the
height of fashion, hoped they would he
good friends with the new cousin they
would see that evening.
1t was nearly six o'clock when cab
drove up to the door, and l heard nv
husbands voice through the open win
dow. A tastfully-spread tea waited upon
the table-for we had made the lunch
con our dinner, as Archie and Beatrice
Tudor could not be kept out late. We
were laughing and chatting pleasantly,
when Kendall came in; little Frank in
his very best lace robe, lay fast asleep in
my lap, and had no intention of waking
him by disturbing my position in any
way.
NV husband greeted my relatives very
cordially, though I fancy he was elsa
greeably Surprised at their presence; at
any rate, he went back into the hall, say
ing, "run up stairs with Martha, Willie
and get yourself tidy, for the tea is quite
ready"
II have engaged a nurse for Willie at
a registry Office" said Kendall to me in
an under-tone; she is far from strong,
and Martha will see to him entirely.
Sturdy fellow this!'' he added, turning to
Miss Clemence as he bent to kiss the
baby.
knew that he wanted me to look at
him, that he might read my feelings in
me eyes. but kept my face resolutely
bent down, in deep displeasure that a
servent had been added to our house
hold independently of my own will and
choice.
Kendall was thoroughly nervous when
he brought his son into the room, and
babe him shake hands all round. NV
careless glance as touched his hand re
vealed thin, pale child, very awkward
and frightened, in black sailor suit of
country make, presenting marked con-
trast to the self-possessed little Tudors
who stared at him with the curiosity in
cidenr to their age. It was relief that
he was not vulger-looking; however I
chose to mistake his shyness for ill-breed-
ing,and determined to punish Kendall thor
oughly through the child. Little Willie
sat beside his father at tea, and fnd1ng
his child SO little noticed, Kendall lavished
upon him fondness that inhamed nv
Jealousy every moment. His first choice
at table being a slice Of very rich cake, OF
which the smallest mersel was sufficient
for children, my husband, with the
thoughtlesspess of man, heaped his
plate with it. / knew that such a meal
after long journey would certainly harm
the boy, but 1 had not the grace to
clothe my remonstrance pleasantly I
turned to Kendall with the cold remark
"That slice should be divided between