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

my little bed ! am 50 sleepy" A tender
look came over the young stepmother's face
as she accompanied the little maiden up to
her room. After preparing for rest, the little
girl sneeled, and with clasped hands she Of
fered up her evening devotion. Then, at its
close, she paused a moment, aud added
Dear Jesus, ! am very much obliged to you
for this pretty new mamma. Please make
brother Rupert love her as much as do.n
The young mothers heart was moved, and
the tears fell fast upon the face OF the pre-
cious little one who was Offering up this sweet
prayer She kissed her fondly aud tucked
the clothes about her; then murmuring,
God bless you, darling" she fed to her
own room, and finging herself upon her
knees, she plead for help aud strength for the
duties before her.
The first step was to win the love of her
stepson. and she felt this would be hard
task. When she returned TO the parlor Ru-
pert was just leaving it. He babe his papa
good.n night in a cold, hard manner. The new
mother stood one moment in perplexed
thought. then said, timidly, GOOD night,
Rupert" He bowed distantly aud said
goodnight in low tone.
Paul looked up at his wife. az am very
sorry he began. But she laid her finger on
his lips. 81 Never mind, husband, y she said !;
- it will all come right
SO time passed on. Days heightened into
weeks, and weeks into months. Still it SEEM
ed that Amelia Devere was no nearer winning
the affection of her stepson than when they
first met. But still she and little Mile be-
sought the loving heavenly Father 70 give
Rupert right view of the feeling his step
mother felt for him.
1t came at last. The snow had fallen, then
1t had rancd and frozen. The pavement was
in QUE sheet of ice. Rupert came bounding
home from school, and as he sprang up the
marble steps at the door of his home he slim
ped and fell his full length upon the icy pave
ment below. Amelia was standing by the
window and witnessed tho fall with horror
She saw him attempt TO rise, then fall back
white and motionless. She gave q low cry of
distress, and in one moment more she was by
his side. There seemed to be supernatural
strength given her for the moment, for she
lifted the boy as though he bad been a babe,
and carried him into the honse. As she laid
him on the sofa be Enclosed his eyes, and the
tears glistened upon his long lashes as he met
the plying glance bent upon him. She gently
smoothed the hair back from the high white
forehead.
Mr.. Devere came hastily into the room and
inquired into the particulars of Ills sons
injuries.
faltered. 81 will be better presently. Nam
ma has been bathing my head, and / feel
quite comfortable now" And he smiled
family, his dark eyes seeking the fearful blue
ones of his stepmother.
Mr.. Devere pressed his sons hand and his
wife kissed the young brow then bending
her face close to the boys, she sobbed, 80,
God, thank Thee for this happy moment."
AS she raised her head, Rupert gave dis
tressed cry. "Oh, papa, she lifted me up
and carried me in the house all herself, and
she is hurt :" fer the crimson blood was dye
ing the lips of Paul Deyere young wife.
All was confusion. The doctor was sum-
moned. aud for days the sweet life hung on
mere thread.
Rupert was wild with her terrible agony
"oh, l have killed her | have killed her y
he walled.
Little Mile stole away to her room and
laid her grief before her heavenly Friend,
begging Him to spare her darling mamma to
them and her prayers were answered, for the
stepmother came among them again. though
very pale and frail but never was an invalid
more tenderly cared for than was Amelia De:
we're by her young stepson, who had SO long
been her enemy. Aud as the days pass, a
happier family cannot be found than the De-
yercs. Even Hulda says she thinks "people
make fools of themselves. talking against step
mothers"