, 1881-05-06

with a stiffied sob, Now. if she was only
like you Edie, it would be different. But
we can't help it now" And Olive shut
her lips resolutely as she left the
room.
Five dressed herself elaborately, pre-
paritory to meeting Mrs. Desmond. Her
trailing robe was of garnet velvet, and
garnet Jewels glittered on her hair.
around her throat and arms, and tiny
stars OF garnets swung i'll her ears.
When Olive went down to the parlor,
il was with the naughty air of a queen
prepared to Overwhelm an offending sub
iect. But her assumed hauteur deserted
her when she entered the parlor. For
whom should she see but Edith Harvey
looking rarely lovely, clad i'll blue silk,
with pearl ornaments, and standing very
close to Papa Desmond, and Papa DeS-
mond's arm was actually around her
slender waist.
Olive was speeehless with astonish-
ment. and before she could recover her
self Mr.. Desmond explained matters by
saying:
"Olla, my darling, this is my wife,
Edith. my love, this is my daughter,
Olive"
Really and truly?" gasped Olive.
"Yes really and truly, said Papa Dos
mond, with smile.
1T seems too good to be true, said
Olive, kissing Edith and calling her
mother.
"Then you are not angry at the decep-
ton we practiced?" asked Mrs Desmond.
Angry! No, indeed! I'm over
joyed! But whatever made you think of
ItYr
1T was Frank who planned it all, - re-
piled Mrs. Desmond.
Yes OLA" said Frank coming for
ward, Il cannot tell lie. [ planned the
awful web for you to get entanglel in.
There-don't try to thank me. Words
won't do the subject justice. [ know I'm
too good for this world, but I'm willing
to live hundred years or so for the
good of the rest of fmankind-and woman
kind also"
We'll, you are just darling any
way" declared Olive.
Dear me" soliloquized Frank.
There is no accounting for the tickle
ness of the female mind. Not two months
ago | was called heather for suggest
ing the present state of affairs. But Tn
| thankful for the fact that I'm appreci-
ated. They say genius is born to be
| snubbed, but there has been an exception
| to the rule in my favor"
After Olive was satisfied that there was
no mistake, and beautiful Edith Harvey
was her much hated step-mother. she be-
| gan to wonder if step-mothers were
really such dreadful creatures, after ali
and appealed to Frank for his opinion
| but Frank told her that words were use
| less when two innocent victims like them
selves We're proof against that extraordi
nary evil, ''step-mother."
The next day Olive was sitting by
window, looking dreamily out on tht
landscape
What are you doing, Olla?" queriet
Frank
"Thinking," replied Olive.
Don't do it any more, Ola; great ana
| sudden changes are not beneficial.
Olives Grecian nose took an elevated
position, and Frank continued, i've
been thinking too, OLA"
''How strangel' replied Olive sarcas
tieally. Il thought phenomena were
not in fashion till eighteen hundred ant
eighty-one"
1--WE been thinking, OLA" resumed
Frank, that IN this little affair concern
ing stepmothers 1 have proved myself {
genius. and genius should be rewarded.
Genius seeks its own reward, sait
Olive.
Hem! Then I'll take you, said Frank
THAT is, he continued soberly ant
earnestly, ''if my darling little Ola vii
have no objections. And don't yor
think you could love me just little!"
II don't want to love You a little, re
piled Olive. but great deal"
And-well, they said good many
more loving and foolish things, and sly
months later Mr.. Desmond gave th,
bride away and Frank Vaughan declared
himself satisfied with his reward G.
genius.