The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-13
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
M THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" 1.-THE
RIGHT OF WAY" ETC.
CHAPTER IX.-(CoNTINUED.)


Bessie had taken Mabel to the conserv-
atory, partially to show her rose which
had Just condescended to bloom, after a
considerable amount of coaxing and
secondly, in order that her mother and
MIR. Irwin might be alone, as she knew
that they had matters to discuss respect
ing some of Ithe parishioners it was con-
-~A az well Mabel should not hear.
noHI ~ "-N"i was too oc-
For minute or two 7la.>. e
cupied in admiring the rose to think o.
anything else. But at last the subject
which had occupied her thoughts exclus-
lively for some days, returned to her
memory, and sure of Bessie's sympathy
on this, as we'll as all other occasions, she
looked up into her face, and exclaimed
ioyfully: bessie you are not going to
be nv mamma after all! Aren't you
glad?"
Bessie turned white to her lips, and
felt cold and sick She grasped at the
fower-stand to save herself from falling.
and sent dim glance of pain, sorrow,
and reproach into little MabePs exultant
eyes,
"Who-who told you that?' she gasped
out at last
Papa" answered Mabel in all the un-
consciousness of childhood. 'I asked
him about it, you know, because Dame
Winter said you were to be; and she told
stories too, about you wantingit, when |
knew better. Wasn't it wicked of her!
Papa saws am not togo there any more,
for he won't have me hear such conversa-
tious. So she'll be sorry, won't sheY'
"And Mr. Irwin was angryT inquired
Bessie, scarcely knowing what she said,
and wondering as she spoke, at the dis.
cordance Of her own voice.
eyes" and Mabel nodded her .aead
mpaciouslv. 81 never saw him 20 eros
before. He said Heaven forb' +d!" quit
ferce-like"
"When was IT you aske1t him this?
said Bessie, in the sarae painful, con
strained voice.
"Why, it was coming along this morn
fng | talked to him about it, because
wanted to know. | have never had
mamma yet" added Mabel, innocentIy
"and our Mary at home says people hav
mammas first when they are little babies
90 that should have to 90 back and be
baby again. | was seven last birthday
YOU know, and it wouldn't be very mic
70 have to begin all over again at no
peaking, or walking, or anything, woul'
it? But if was obliged to have one,
concluded Mabel, graciously, "Hd asl
papa to choose you, as | love you bette
than any one in the world, except him.
And the child flung her arms aroun'
Bessie's skirts, and tried to reach up t
her white lips. But Bessie repulsed he
at once.
"You should not have spoken to you
father in that way" she said, almo'
sternly; sit is not becoming iu littl
girls to repeat all the idle gossip the
hear"
"But, Bessie, only asked" replie
Mabel, in contrite tone. "l dldn
know it was naughty. And if you wal
to be my mamma, I'll try and like being
baby again"
And the child made an effort to appea
resigned, though her blue eyes wei
clouded with tears.
"Dame Winter is a story-teller," IT
turned Bessie, more calmly. 'Wh
should | think of being your stcp-motI
er? Iti.n't likely. | have no intentio
Of marrying at all-eyer; if any Oh
speaks to YOU in that way again, 20
may tell them so. Mamma has no one
take care Of her but me; and, therefor
Icouldn't be spared, At the same tim
1t was very wrong and improper OF Dan
Winter to speak to a mere child like yc
In this way, and ] shall certainly let hi
know what I think cl her conduct. Ar
now let us return TO the drawingroof
May. dare say Mr.. Irwin is ready
go.s