Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-10-13

Louisa's dImped countenance fell. "But
we don't want a step-motLer, she said
piteonsly.
"Of course we don IT, said John.
"And if she does poke her nose in here
vo' Y we make it lively for her. that's
all"
| Louisa scrambled to her feet ''f'll ask ia
Their not,' she said breathlessly
i "Hushsh-sh! exclaimed the other three,
all in one voice. Don't speak word. Fa-
ther don't know that we know. Aud
perhaps, after all. it's only Mrs. Daggett's
gossip
but old Matilda thaid tho, too" sighed
Bessie. "Oh, couldn't live with thtep-
| mother.''
And in their little family congress
arc nd the hearth-stone, the children de-
/ ,cided to declare absolute war against Mrs.
| Gregory.
| While the enterprising widow herself
rose with the morrow mornings lark, to
bake pound cake. sweep the best room
out, put up the newly washed muslin cur
! taIns, and make general preparation for
the honored company which she had invi-
! ted
iii bring him to the point this evening
or L ii know the reason WHY said Mrs.
Gregory. as she pinned up her puffs and
frizettes into an>array of papers, and look
ed to see if the lavender ribbons of her
best cap were in becoming order. "Thc
dear, pious n,n; he is such child in the
ways of the world that he really needs some
one to protect and care for him And it
may as we'll be me as T,bitha Toliver or
Miss Rosetta Day. To be sure, those un :
ruly children are something of a draw
back, but I'll soon pack EN- off to board
ing school, once I'm mistress at the Par
sonaee Hester! Hester! Hesterl why dom:
you come in and help with The holly leaves
and the chrysanthemums
And Hester, a tall, rosy girl of sixteen,
reused herself from her book and came
into the room
'sWhat is it, mot her?'' she asked.
81 declare cried Mrs. Gregory, with
shrek of horror, "if you haven't left the
molasses cake to burn in The oven
You're no better than wax doll, Hester,
| and I've no patience with you.'
"Mother," said distressed Hester, s'you
| never said anything to me about the mo-
lasses cakps.''
II did snapped the widow, but your
nose was in your bO0k--as usual. And
! this settles it Hester l shall send you
next week TO learu the milliner's trade of
| your aunt Minerva up in Vermont For
| you're good for nothing in life here.
} But when the children arrived from the
parsonage at about three O'Clock, with
baskets all ready for the nutting expedi
ton, all the shadows had cleared away
from Hester's brown face. She loved
children dearly, and the little Lackington
flock wers her especial fayorites. And no
happier group could be found in the world
than were gathered that afternoon IN the
leafy aisles of the October woods, where
the tall golden-rods lifted their gittering
S ceptres, and the nuts came dropping
down at every breath Of the scented wind.
But they were tired at last, and Hester S
black, lustrous hair had all fallen down,
and her dress was torn, and they sat down
on messy bank under the shadow of
huge gray rock, where the brook gurgled
by, and the shy squirrels darted past with
gliding motion. And then and there the
children took pretty Hester into their con-
| fdence.
But it can't be possible" said the girl,
with puzzled look. Mother is ten years
older than Mr.. Lackington''
| THAT makes no difference said John
dolefully. Everybody says it is to be a
match.''
"Hethter, what would you do if YOU
were nth, y said Bessie. clinging close to
| the slight young figure. ''If there wath
terrible old thLepmother coming to your
houthe?"
"I'd run away" said Hester, with en-
ergy.
Chester" said Louisa, eff papa marries
your mother We'll run away and come
here. And then we'll all live together and
be SO happy, won't we?'
"Lou's hit it this tlme!p said j hn.
shifting the leafy drifts with his closed
fist. But it would be jolly wouldn't il?
For you are the incest girl 1 know of.
Hester. l don't see how you came to hava
such a mother"
Hester laughed and shook her head, and
tried to frown.
"Children." said she, 'you mustn't talk
so, you-"
But then all the little Lackingtons pre-
cipitated themselves upon Hester, and
closed her lips with kisses. 20
sThis won't do,' said Hester, starting
up. ''We shall never get home at this
rate. Children, let's have racel Let's
all Start from tree and go different ways
and see who'll get to the house arst.''
Away they all flew with merry peals of
laughter, and Hester. presently found her
e If tripping along a shady forest path,
directly into the arms of the Rev. MIR.
Lackington, who, with a book under his
arm, was coming in an opposite direction.
Hester stopped short with burning
cheeks. as she remembered her torn dress.
her disheveled hair, and the story to which
she had just listened of the probability Of
her mothers mothers marriage to this
reverend gentleman! What would he
think of her? What would he say to her?
But Mr.. L,ckington did not seem at all
dismayed by the Sudden apparition. He
put out his hand kindly.
Il am glad to meet you. HESTER" he
said Il am just In time to walk home
with you. Take my arm, child, you are
Ill out Of BREATHE
And, blushing more deeply than ever,
Hester obeyed.
When they we're all at home once more