New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-06-01
sTEP-M0THER AND S1EP-sO
A Story of Love, jealousy, Ha-
tired, Revenge and Heroic
Self-Sacrifice.
BY the Author Of "Dora Thorne,'' "a Bridge
Of LORE 1S.', ~ War WIth Hersclt,"'"A
Him Best?"'"A Rose In
IhO1Ts," &c., &c.

~ Se Lo @o" q W%r 3e'Hs 9do'
Golden !., Da'en,,., :. !" Witch Loved
lho,pss," &c., &c.
clam very sorry for it, father. I
should agree always if could. If you
say that those great beeches are to be
cut down, l submit; but do not think
that Lady Cumnor ought to order such
a thing: 1t will completely spoil the
place. If there were sensible
motive, would not ask one word
about it; but am quite sure that Lady
Cumnor simply desires it in order to
annoy me-"
my dear Ross, pray do not talk in
such manner! Why Should my wife
seek to annoy you?''
because she does not like me, faith
er, and will nevey rest until she has
driven me away. Father, can you not
see how jealous she is of my dead
mother and of my dead mothers son?"
"My good fellow, what nonsense!
Why should she be jealous of poor InezP
If she were living. there would be some
sense in it; but dead-who would even
give themselves the trouble to be jeai-
Gus of the dead?''
eff I were dead, she would tolerate
my mothers memory. Oh, father, do
you not see, do you not understand,
what is going on round about you? l
have not complained-Inever intended
to complain. l, as man, would never
complain of woman; but, mind you,
father, a woman fortunes and stings as
the blows of a man never could. Lady
Cumnor seldom says anything to me-
that could take hold of; but her words,
light as ,thistledown, rankle and wound
me a hundred times each day.
II thought you would all get on so
well together" said Sir Austen.
"Where is Lean? Cannot she make
peace between you?"
A bitter smile came over Ross's face.
,"Father," he said, gently, show
envy you the happy faculty you have of
seeing nothing! Lady Cumnor dislikes
Lean, if possible, more than she dis
likes me. You will find that that active
spirit of hers will: know no rest until
everything belonging to my mother =
even her son and her kinswoman-is
removed from, Larchton Mere. She
will take down her portrait yet, and
you will not be able to help it. She
hates everything belonging to herr
Sir Austen looked up in helpless
wonder.
care you quite sure about that, Ross?
How is it, do you think? What causes
it?''
Jealousy. Lady Cumnor would
have made an excellent first wife; but
you will forgive me for saying that she
is a failure as a second. She cannot
bear to remember that you have loved
any one before her, that you have the
son OF the first woman you loved with
you. Even the beauty of my dead
mother annoys and vexes her. She is
jealous by nature; and she grows worse
instead of BETTER
~ do not see what is to be done, :"
said Sir Austen, helplessly. s. To tell
you the truth, Ross, although she is so
sweet, so bland and gracious, Lady
Gunner has a spirit of her own, and,
if she chooses to display it, could not
cope with her. She has wonderful
will of her own. She is very charming,
but very resolute, you know-very re-
soluter'
At any other time Ross would have
smiled at his fathers manner; but lust
then his heart was sore. They were
standing together in the deep bay-win-
dow of the blue drawing room, talking
earnestly, when her ladyship suddenly
entered the room. Although she moved
quickly, she moved with grace. She
looked very haughty-tall, stately and
beautiful. She had on a close-fttine
dress of blue velvet, which set off her
magnificent figure to perfection. She
wore tiny cap in the shape of knot
of fine point-lace and blue ribbon. She
walked up to the window and laid her
hand on Sir Austen's shoulder.
6 Your son is telling tales about me-
she said. II thought it was only chill
dren who told tales.''
Ross handsome face flushed. It was
hard to do battle with such a woman
and retain the courtesy of gentleman.
But he controlled himself
II am not telling tales, Lady Cum
nor" he said; II am merely speaking
the truth. repeat that if those beech
es are cut down the avenue will be com.
pletely spoiled"
!" And I say" rejoined her ladyship,
that it will improve the house more
than anything else could.''
'Some of those beeches are more
than a hundred years old" said Ross.
'tAll the more reason for taking them
away" remarked Lady Cumnor.
Sir Austen looked in helpless amaze
ment from one to the other-he loved
them both dearly, and he knew not how
to act between them. He ionged to see
them kiss each other and be friends.
He had never in all his long, peaceful
life had anything to do with strife until
now, and he was quite helpless.
"'Do tell me,'' he said, 'swhat it all
means? What is the matter about the
beech-trees? Why, all the beeches in
the world are not worth this trouble!
What is it, Hester?''
Her laayship smiled; and she looked
so gracious and sweet that Sir Austen
had almost given in to her before she
spoke.
81 will tell you at once what it is,
Austen. l will not initiate your son by
telling tales. The fact is, he is jealous
of my authority, and takes every oppor-
tunity of making light of it. You know
that my suite of rooms faces the westp''
Yes, l KNOW" replied Sir Austen,
wondering what was coming.
They look over a glorious stretch
of woodland scenery" she continued;
but there is an avenue of beeches
which darkens the whole scene. OF
course I cannot see through them OF
beyond them; if they were cut down
should have a magnificent view. You
yourself would not oppose me for one
moment, / know; but your son, presum-
ing on your kindness, does oppose me,
and he declares it shall not be done.''
II appeal to you, fatherr' cried Ross.
These trees are the finest on the es-
tate.''
"'Oh, woodman, spare that tree! -
sang Lady Cumnor, with gay little
laugh. She knew that laugh would
turn the current of Sir Austen
thoughts.
!" Father said Ross, earnestly, st
is no laughing matter-those trees are
tho finest IN fha estate. and COW tiou