The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-06-19
gsIsetsb Story.
THE STEP-M -MOTHER.
By RANDALL W. BAILE.

'One thing know said Miss
Penelope Rockley, Il wouldn't mar
rv widower with 4 child, 70 mat
ter how fascinating he might be-
But Adelaide Mordaunt was to
be dauntcd by no such old maid
scruples.
The fact that Albert Ormsworthy
had a daughter Of sixteen did not
in any way, discourage her brave
heart. Il love him." said Adelaide
with strange dewy light in her
dark violet eyes, ':and Flora is the
sweetest, most affectionate child in
the world
SO Miss Mordaunt married AL
bert Ormsworthy, and went to take
charge of his home and household
with q blithe and willing heart.
Aunt Melissa, the ancient rela-
tive who had managed affairs ever
since the death Of the first Mrs.
Ormsworthy, shook her head dis
ma!ly at this new state Of things.
You'll have to be very careful
how you let her encroach, Flora. y
said she, in a husky whisper.
You'd better insist on keeping
the keys yourself-l'm sure you
have a great deal better right than
q young stranger who, after all, isn't
so very much older than yourself
and if she begins by offering any
advice, just tell her plainly that
YOU will come to me for any admon'
itions you may need"
'She is as lovely as she can be,
and l know I shall love her just as
as if she were my own mother.
Aunt Melissa raised her eyes and
hands simultaneously.
Could it be that the violet-eyed
Adelaide had bewitched the daugh
ter as completely as she had her
father? Then there must be witch
craft at work.
Flora was q soft-eyed, raven
tressed little brunette, as different
as possible from her tall, blonde
step mother, who had Jupoesque
majesty Of department, and hair OF
q pale faxen gold, but she clung to
her with almost idolatrous affec
ton.
Il am so glad papa has married
again." said she. "Not that l cher
ish the memory of my dear dead
mother any less, but we are so lone
some here, with only Aunt Melissa,
who always Hoes to sleep in the
evenings and can talk only Of
pickles and preserves. Darling
mamma" with an enthusiastic hug
and kiss, "thc house has been like
an enchanted place since you came
here"
And Flora's devotion to her
step-mother was in itself one Of the
sweetest welcomes that Adelaide
received to her new home.
Il am glad tina, she is so fond OF
you, dearest, said Mr.. Ormsworthy
to his wife; ''becanse / think that
your influence W. have a favorable
effect upon her
"She is loN iy girl-docile
obedicnt, and in host respects all
that one could wis. But Madame
| Cecini tells me she is inclined
to be backward and indolent about
| her studies.'
"She must be urged on said
Adelaide, briskly.
Not too much," said Orms
worthy, for Flora is far from strong
but still enough to keep pace
| with other girls Of her age and 70
mance-all OF which is we'll enough
in it's place-3ut it is rather dis
couraging that she cannot keep up
in algebra, mental philosophy and
physical geography"
Il will see to all that, dear,
| said Adelaide.
| The next day she had long talk
with Flora. Flora cried, lamenteC
her own unworthiness and lack O.
enterprise, and solemnly promised
to do better. For I should so like
to have you proud of me, mamma
said she, hiding her head on AIDE
ladies shoulder.
When Mr.. Ormsworthy came
home to dinner, it was with 4 grave
| face.
"Addie," said he, Il find l mus
go abroad next week.
"Abroad Oh, Albert surely
may go too?"
Il am afraid not, Adelaide
must 60 in such q hurry and pass
so speedily from place to place
that even you could hardly keeT
up with me, but l shall not be gone
long; in three months, or four at
the outside, | will be with YOU
again. In the meantime you an(
Flora must be all to each other
Adelaide shed = few tears, natu
rally enough; but she soon bright
ened up.
Il won't let YOU think me COW
ard Albert" she said, bravely.
':As you say, it will not be long
You and I, dear Flora, will be com
panions for each other
Flora, with her dark eyes glisten
ing full of tears, mutely pressed
| bor e&o,> ~, ,+bar'c how'd IN +ol-a,, nj