The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-12-29

home, be felt heaviness at his heart. 1t
was not very warm welcome, aud he felt II
keenly; but would she notice 1t Z? The little
vously, but she strove to hide her emotion.
Paul rang the BELL which was answered by
Hulda. The gentleman held out his hand,
and the old woman put the tips Of her fingers
Into his palm. He did not appear to notice
her GOODNESS, but drawing his wife forward,
he said, Hulda, this lady is my wife,"
The old housekeeper gave quick, short
nod, and led the way to the parlor.
The lady gave surprised glance up into
the troubled face of her husband, aud in that
one look she saw such an expression of pain
in his handsome eyes, that she checked down
the misery in her own heart, out of sympathy
for him. Mrs. Devere felt that she was an
unwelcome addition to at least some of that
family.
Paul Devere's little daughter lay upon the
rug in front of the fire. She presented
beautiful picture. Her elbow rested upon
the rug. while the little hand supported the
small, well-shaped head, the long curls sweep
ing the floor. She looked up as her papa and
the strange lady entered the room, but she
did not move. The tears filled the great
brown eyes. Her papa went toward her.
why. Mile, are you not glad to see me ?"
be asked.
The child sprang to her feet and threw her.
self into his arms, sobbing as though her lit
tie heart would break.
"Millie, what is the troublep Are you
ill?" he questioned, half frightened by the
child's distress.
No, no gasped the little one. "Ob,
papa you will love me, won't youp do
love you so much Don't let the awful step
mother hinder you from loving me, will you,
papa - and the little hands were clasped
tightly around his neck, and the sobs came
thick aud fast. The little form quivered in
its distress.
Paul gave dismayed glance at his young
wife's white face, as she stood almost stunned
with surprise. He seated himself and drew
his child on one knee and his wife on the
other. Mile, my dear little GIRL he said,
9 the lady is your stepmother. She has no
little girl to love her, and she wants you to be
her little girl. She is my wife, and l love
her very much. You are my little daughter,
and love you very dearly. She does not
wish to draw mo from you, but she wants
share in your love, too. Won't you be her
little girl and papa's, too9"
The brown eyes were lifted to the lady's
face shyly. Mrs. Devere was deadly pale and
the sweet blue eyes were dim with tears The
s.PssfsHv rse,e, ErasvIJ, Dvu
cry, stepmother; win love you. am so
sorry you amt got no nice little girl like me. :"
Mrs. Devere bent over the little one and
folded her close in her arms and pressed
kiss upon the pure brow.
"You are ever SO nice, stepmammal /
guess Mrs. Turner and Huda don't know
much about 1t, do you think SOP" and the
curly head nodded cunningly.
Mr. Devere smiled. "Do not say step
mother she would like her little girl to call
her mamma"
"Aud SO / willlr answered the demure lit
tie miss. eve will have lots of fun, won't
we, mammal"
:" / hope So" answered the lady, caressing
the little girl fondly
All this time Mr.. Devere had not noticed
that his wife still wore her outdoor garments.
But Miss Mile placed her tiny hand iu her
new found friends aud said 81 would like
to see you with your hat off, real BAD"
The lady smiled and arose, while the little
girl led the way up the broad stairs to her
new mothers room, where the lady removed
her travelling apparel and brushed the wavy
hair back from the low white forehead,
around which it fell In tiny rings. Her toilet
completed, she took Miles hand and went
down to the sitting-roo again, where she
found her husband in close conversation with
handsome boy. The rich color mantled the
boys cheek and the black eyes shone like
stars. The full red lips were tightly closed
the wellshaped head thrown back like some
spirited war horse. Upon the fathers face
was look of intense pain. When his wife
and daughter entered the room, he arose and
said "This is my son Rupert. my dear.''
The lady came forward and held out her
little white hand to the boy, who bowed cold
T ~ and merely touched her hand with the tips
of his slender fingers. The fair face flushed
the nearest chair.
frown was ON Mr.. Deyere's brow as he
looked sternly at his son. Hulda appeared
and announced tea. Paul arose and gave his
arm to his young wife and led her to the
dining room. As they approached the table,
where Hulda was already seated, he said,
pleasantly "Mrs. Devere will take this duty
off your shoulders hereafter as the mistress of
the house, Hulda."
The old woman arose angrily. Eyes, /
s'pose I'm nowhere now (" she exclaimed.
look Of pain crossed the young strangers
face as she glanced up into her husbands
face. "Do not change arrangements for me, /"
she faltered. ~ would just as soon take
some other place.
II wish my wife to take her proper posi-
tion," the gentleman said, decidedly. "This
Is your home, and you are the mistress, and /
wish you to feel that you have perfect right
to do as you choose In your own house."
After tea Mr. Devere led the way To the