Daily Republican., 1884-04-30

"How delighted am tha: you accept
me az such; do you know that was
myself with fear that you
would resent my presence as that of an
But now l foresee that we
shall be the best of friends. We will
mutually agree TO make the existing
state Of things as pleasant to each other
AZ possible, shall we not ?"
With all my heart" cried Jack
eagerly.
II suppose" said she, as they de-
scended the stairs together and entered
the drawing room, that you are much
disappointed at not finding Mr.. War
rington at home"
=" Yes" assented Jack, and might
have added truly, "but more surprised
that you did not accompany him."
"Don't you think it would simplify
matters II you were to call me Jack 2"
he ventured to say, and straightway
was sorry for the words, for they raised
the question of how he should address
her.
at would be to ridiculous to call her
mother" he thought.
And somehow the thoughtof the rela-
ton she bore to his father seemed more
distasteful TO him than ever
".Jack it shall be-" she said "and
you must call me Fanny. am never
Frances to my most intimate friends, y
with charming smile.
And then they dined together, and
afterward adjourned to the drawing
room, where Jack entertained his fair
listener with description of his trav-
els and, in return, Fanny went to the
piano and played and sang his favorite
songs.
Suddenly the sound of a carriage
driving up to the door interrupted the
singing
"They are here" cried Fanny, start
ing up from the piano; and before Jack
could ask her whom she expected be.
sides his father, that gentleman entered
the room, and by his side was lady
who bore q marvellous resemblance to
Fanny.
"Ah, Jack! this is a pleasant sur
PRISE" cried Mr.. Warrington then,
turning to the lady he added, "Frances,
am very happy at last to present my
son to you, Jack, my boy, this lady Is
Mrs. Warrington.
Poor Jack for the very life OF him
be could not have spoken a word. he
wanted to take Mrs. Warrington's hand
and say few words such as the occa-
sion demanded, but his surprise was too
great, and instead, he looked around
for a moment, and then blurted out
"Mrs. Warrington who then is"
and then he stopped short az a peal OF
laughter burst from the lips Of Fanny.
"Oh mamma !" she cried !" DO be-
lieve he has all along been mistaking
me for you. Oh, Jack DO forgive me
for laughing so, but really 1t is too RI
diculous.
Mr.. and Mrs. Warrington were con.
vulsed with laughter while Jack, in
spite Of the sorry figure he cut, was
obliged to succumb to the general mer-
riment, and laughed as heartily as the
others at his absurd mistake. He never
could rightly understand how he had
come to take it for granted that it was
Miss Frances Noble who was to wed
his father instead of her mother, the
still young and elegant widow, who
bore her thirtytve years 40 GRACEFUL y :;
but the idea having once entered his
mind seemed confirmed by subsequent
incidents.
Jack found his step-motler to be a
model of womanly sweetness and intel
ligence, and was delighted that his
fathers happiness was built upon such
sure foundations as her truth and indis-
putable affection for her husband.
For his step mothers daughter Jacks
knew no bonds, but increas-
ed and Ger, ened as the months sped by.
One ev, .lng in early spring time MIR.
Warrington surprised his son and step
daug bier in what seemed to be a very
conti, ntial conversa zion indeed.
Fanny, her face crimson with blushes,
would have hurried away. butJack held
her firmly by the hand.
cit seems, said Mr.. Warrington,
with quizzical look, THAT you have
succeeded marvelously we'll in overcom.
ing your antipathy to Frances Noble. y
"Indeed l have, sir. and am happy
to tell you that l have gained her con-
sent to become my wife"
"My DEAR" said Mr.. Warrington,
taking Fanny in his arms and kissing
her afectionately, "Jack is a good boy,
though he does make little mistakes
but as he never yet has
wrong for right, l think you
have a fair chance for happiness when
you become Mrs. John Warrington, Jr. .