Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-04-03
A Whim.

school-room floor; the air was odor-
GUS with the sweet scent of a table
high-heaped with newly cut roses and
Ernstine Ray, the prettiest of all Mad
anne Cherimonde's pretty young pu-
pills. was busy arranging them in va
ses and on baskets OF wet moss, for
the approaching exhibition.
She was tall slender girl, scarcely
sixteen. Her dress was very simple,
yet, IN its simplicity, it conveyed the
impression of combined taste and
wealth. White muslin is common
enough, but Ernstine's dress was white
muslin of the softest and most expen-
sive India fabric, trimmed with costly
Valenciennes lace.
As our little school girl worked on,
singing at her graceful employment,
the door opened and beautiful bru-
nette entered, a girl whose magnlti-
cent velvet. black eyes and coiled mass
es of midnight hair contrasted royalty
with the crimson glow on either cheek
and the creamy tint of the satin-like
skin.
Yet she was plainly dressed, for
Evelyn Hope was the eldest pupil in
the school-a sort of governess to the
Younger ones; and Madame Cheri
monde. it was said, was already on the
lookout for good situation" for the
beautiful girl who would soon be
obliged to earn her daily bread.
"Here is letter foryou Ernestine-
the postman has just been here!'
Ernestlne dropped her roses and
caught the soiled paper.
"Oh, thank you, Evelyn-what a
darling you are to think of me. It's
from papa, too. Evelyn" she added,
with the letter yet unopened in her
hand: live been thinking of such a
splendid idea-I mean to write to papa
and ask him If you can't come home
with me 10 spend these holidays. !
am sure Woodvale will be pleasant;
and Pm quite certain papa wont OBJ.
ject, when | tell him how terribly
want you!"
But Ernestine-"
"There are no butts in the question,
said the pretty little heiress, nodding
her head resolutely. ''You enjoyed
the Christmas week there did yor
not2"
Every much-O, very, very much!
"Well, then, you shall return t
Woodval. with me next week, and Sc
the matter is settled"
She broke the seal Of the letter al
she spoke, the next moment low CRY
broke from her lips.
Evelyn. oh, Evelyn! what shall
do?"
Evelyn Hopes cheek grew pale.
"What is the matter, Tina? surely
no one is i'll? Speak to me darling
don't stand there looking SO pale an'
stricken, like marble statne! Wha
is it? What has happened?'
.The worst that could have hap
pened," sobbed Ernestine, a burst Q
passionate tears coming to her relief
as she buried her face on her friend
shoulder Papa is going to MARI
again. l am to have a---step mother!
ais that all, darling? Take cour
age, you may learn to love this ne'
conner if
"Never.- never 1t is impossible
Oh how could he dream OF placing
naughty stranger in the home that
so dear to us?"
sBut, darling Tina"
"You shall not speak another wor
to me on the subject, Evelyn. | al
not on angel like you; I'm only yer
human little girl, | FORBID you to mel
ton the olious future to me again
only have favor to beg.
"What is it?''
.I will never remain at Woodva
after papa is married. Evelyn, da7
ling, you'll let me come and live wit
you, won't your
"With me?'
"Yes, with you. love you bett'
than any one else in all the wide, cru
world. You will not turn me ava
from your heart? I may come
you?"
"But, Ernestine, you are perhap
deciding too rashly. Finish readlr
your fathers letter first"
Dwell under the same roof with
stepmother. No, never--a thousar
times never And you, Evelyn, yo
the only friend have left to love m
What answer am | to receive at yo
lips2 Yes or no?''
ayes, dearest, yes' and Evel.
Hopes kiss sealed her words up
Ernestine's throbplng brow. "lt sh'
be as you choose, if you think that
slight thing as my companlonsh
will make you happy. But you W
return to Woodvale first"
"Papa wrote that he was goi
away to be married on the 7th of ne
month. will return, but not un
he is gone; and my stay will be lin
ed to the time that is absolutely pec'
sary for packing my things to lea
Woodvale permanently. And you,dt
Evelyn had so fondly hoped tt
you might again be my guest-y
must 90 to your coldhearted au
who has always grudged you the pt