, 1881-05-06


bargain. Say that magical word, and
vour humble servant Will consider that
he has been transported into the seventh
heaven
What simpleton you are, Frank
said Olive. The idea of of our getting
married. | am going to marry some
great and distinguished man
Just my ticket, was the nonchalant
rejOInder. i am, or was, going to
marry some beautiful and accomplished
lady, but, being very philanthropic in
my disposition. l concluded to sac
ritice myself Yet if you won't have me,
guess l shall achieve my earl y ambi-
ton"
IF conceit Was of money value
think you could pay off the national
debt, Frank, said Olive with smile.
Don't be personal, replied Frank,
but shake hands and make up and talk
about stepmothers. What are you going
to do about the matter? Receive them
with open arms and be happy, or pOut
and let them coax yOu?'
''NeitherI' said Olive. the angry
CLEAN flashing in her black eyes again.
Il am going away where they won't see
me-"
And let concealmcnt like worm"
DO be serious for just one minute!
interrupted Olive. completely exas-
perated with his bantering tone. What
would you do if you were IN my place,
Frank
Il might relate to YOU my expert
ence.'
Don't" interrupted Olive. We've
listened to that often enough already.
And Just remember that Aunt Gertie is
an ideal stepmother, and not like other
stepmothers."
WELL" said Frank, with borrowed
gravity, ''the first thing in consideration
is the terrific fact that your fathers wife
is now stepmother. That is crime of
itself. When II lovely and amiable
woman becomes a stepmother she is I'M
mediately transformed into all that's
evil. But then this woman week ago
was not Il stepmOther. and maybe the
hoofs and horns haven't sprouted yet.
So l think you had better receive your
fathers wife. I'll be around to protect
jou in case of an emergency"
The tears began to mOisten Olives
| dark eyes.
You haven't one bit of feeling for me,
Frank" she said. piteously.
"Now you wouldn't say that, Ola, if
, you could see the frantic struggle that's
| going on under my left vest pocket; but
| seriously, little coz, the wise thing to do
is to see your fathers wife and give her
! a fair trial; take her on trial, at least,
and when everything is lovely you can
thank me for being your wise counsellor
in your hour of trouble" q.
! You're n heathen, Frank, and Tn 60
ing away tomorrow. And away walked
| e. IL
ing very miserable.
| She was as good as her word, and next
| day she went on visit to friends in New
England, to be gone for an indefinite
| length of time. 1t was all to no purpose
that her aunt expostulated, cOaXed,
argued, and even scolded, for Olive was
very wilful and determined when she
! choose to be.
But Olive must not be blamed too
| harshly. 1t seemed a terrible fact that
her father had married at all, and to
marry without her knowledge or consent
was too awful to be endured; so she de-
termined to punish hin -hy-Aot seei3gg g
! his wife. Olive had sometimes thought
| that 1t would be very nice to have some
one to love her in her mammals place
/ some one that would turn their grand
servant-ruled mansion back into the
| groove that mamma had kept it in.
Yet Olive did not pause to think, but
acted on the rash impulse of wounded
feeling, and when Mr.. and Mrs. Des-
mond came they found that their daugh-
| ter had fled as from a plague.
A month after Olive Desmond had
taken her sudden departure she was sit
ting on the porch of a New England
| farmhouse, trying very hard TO be
miserable. and succeeding admirably.
"Oh, dearr' she sighed. 81 wish 1
! had stayed at Aunt Gertie's and seen
papa's wife, anyhow. She couldn't have
hurt me, and might have learned to
like her just little"
Olive was about ready to indulge in a
| good cry when a servant brought her n
| letter The letter was from Frank
| Vaughan, and he wrote that she might
return now, rs the coast was clear, and
no sign of the enemy present, and that
he would be ''body-guard and prevent
| bloodshed in case of II sudden attack, =
and he really hoped she would come
back, as he was most ''confoundedly
| lonely"
Olive was only too glad of an invita-
| tien to return, and in a few days she was
reinstated at Aunt Gertrude Vaughans
Two or three days passed, and one after
| noon Olive was seated in favorite nook
IN the garden. trying to think what was
the wisest course to pursue with regard
to her step-mother, when her meditations
were interrupted by Frank rushing up to
her and whispering, mysteriously:
''She's Gomez
"Who has come 2" asked Olive.
Haven't You heard? Didn't mother
toll hot %
visit her ?" queried Frank.
'tOh" said Olive, looking relieved.
'Well, she has come, and of course
you'll think. she is dreadful. But con
slider your self martyr, and try to make
the best of it"
Contrary to Franks prediction, Olive
was wonderfully pleased with this niece
of Aunt Gertrnde's. She had never heard
of her before, but she was too much in
terested in the Edith of the present to
inquire about the Edith of the past To
Olive. Edith Harvey seemed like living
portrait of those rarely beautiful women
one seldom sees outside picture frame
She was rather tall, slender and graceful,
with a pink and lily complexion. and an
aureola of golden hair waved naturally
Even her name was favorite name with
Olive, and it seemed to suit Edith Har-
vey exactly. 1t was wonderful how their
friendship progressed. The quiet, win,
ming disposition of Edith, and the loving,