The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-17
INTERESTING STORY.
DRIVEN TO BAY.

syes-the sun was sinking behind the
fringe of willows that outlined the river,
End the dead leaves fiuttered to and fro upon
the brick-paved walk that extended beneath
the e&palier of pear trees. And Cherry
Fountain, sitting in low, rustic chair on
the river bank, never stirred.
Miss Cherry, reiterated the old nurse
Miss Cherry If you're determined tc
catch cold yourself, you might have some
consideration for Master Willfred"
Nanny, don't interrupt, " cried Cherry,
petulantly. :, We nre happy here, Willie
and I. Why can't you let us alone :"
I" But your papa is asking for you Miss
Cherry. He has come home, he and your
mamma"
" He and his new wife, you mean," said
Cherry, with curl of her lip. But little
Wilfred jumped up and pulled eagerly at
his sisters dress.
Let's go in, Cherry" said he. " 1 love
papa. And want to see my new mamma
Cherry rose slowly and reluetantly-bui
before she could pick up her books and
shawl, light figure, dressed in some gls-
tening white material, came running ont to
the river shore.
Where are the children Z" ail soft
Toice. . want to see the children
Willie, an affectionate little fellow of
eight years old, ran into the arms of his
young step mother, and overwhelmed her
with kisses which were most cordially re.
turned, but Cherry hung back with defiant
glances.
" Come here, darling, said Mrs. Foun,
tain. Why, you are nearly as tall rs
am. Papa" turning archly to the bride.
groom who had followed more slowly her
flying footsteps, you never told me that
this Cherry nf ours was almost young
l.5y
Because didn't res lie it myself, " said
Col. Fountain, caressing one of Cherry's
long brown curls, and thinking, even OF
that inauspicious moment, how much like
her dead mother she was growing ''Gher.
ry, this is your new mamma. You must be
great friends with herln
The tears brimmed into Cherry's eyes
her lip quivered. Mrs. Fountains quick
eye saw il MI, but she had too much tact to
interfere. She only kissed Cherry and clasp.
ed her hand tenderly, aud then began to
talk about the beauty of the river, oil red
dened in the sunset glow.
They are beautiful children she said
to her husband that night. 81 am suro /
shall love them,-if only they will let me I"
don't think there will be any trouble
about that, darling" said the colonel,
fondly.
Nor would there have been, if Cherry's
frank, generous soul had been left to its
own impulses. But the neighbors had con-
ioled with her too sympathetically Miss
Darling, who would herself have been glad
to console the handsome widower, had said,
plaintiyely
You, dear Cherry, must remember your
mothers memory, although your father
seems TO have forgotten it,"
And Aunt Frederick, the elder sister OF
the deceased lady, had ostentatiously come
to the house to remove all the personal be-
longings of the late Mrs. Fountain, during
the absence of the colonel on his wedding
tour.
II dare say your new ma will be for
ainging all these in the fire" she said 81
only hope she will be kind to Willie, poor
child p
=" If she is not" flashed Cherry, I" she
will have me to settle with !"
But Aunt Frederick only groaned and
shook her head.
And it ..,es in this spirit that Cherry was
prepared TO meet her fathers second wife.
Small wonder that Alice Fountain found il
well-nigh impossible to win her love.
:" This was your dear mammals favorite
dower-bed, Cherry" said the bride one
morning. "Willie told me so. You and 1
must make it our care to keep the place al
ways bright and lovely"
Cherry blushed a little as she glanced
down at the weed-grown parterre
There is no occasion for troubling you,'
said she. 81 can take care of it myself
=" But should like to help you, DEAR
pleaded Mrs. Fountain. 81 am 80 fond OF
gardening"
"I prefer 10 do it myself" said Cherry,
stiffiy.
Mrs. Fountain looked at her wistfully,
but said nothing more just then. In the
afternoon she came to the little Joudoir
where Cherry sat reading.
Where are your books, Cherry 2" said
she. "Your papa thinks could read
French and German with you, and help you
in practicing."
Thanks, said Chery, suddenly straight
ening herself up; "but don't want any
help. would rather go on with my daily
governess, Miss Murray, just as did be-
(ore."
And once more Alice found herself re-
PEELED.
Aunt Frederick came daily to the house,
and sat solemnly in judgment on the BRIDES
new theories of household management.
Miss Darling glided in and out like shad-
ow, attaching herself markedly to Cherry.
There was decided counter-current in the
house which Alice could feel rather than
see, and as the days went by, she began
vaguely to fancy that even her husband was
different from what he had been.
+ One morning, sitting at the window, she
saw an express wagon loaded with trunks
drive up.
Lear Felix" she cried, running to
where her husband sat in the library, have
you invited company
Col. Fountain Redeemed little. " Com
pany !" repeated he. 'Oh, yes, / see. !
intended to have mentioned 1t before The
fact is, dear, my sister Frederick is coming
here for few months. You are so young
and inexperienced that thought that per-
haps il would be better for her to take
charge of the housekeeping, for the present
at least"
Alice's damask-rose complexion deepened
into scarlet
Have In any way failed to meet your
wishes, Felix?" said she, in stifed voice
No, no, but Frederick thought"
g l do Lot want to hear wha; Frederick
:honght," said Mrs. Fountain, quickly.
And Cherry is getting so lawless, and
l.