Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-08-01
HER HUSBANDS WARD,
BY CLYDE RAYMOND,

BY CLYDE RAYMOND.
:" So your protegee has really arriy
ed r. exclaimed Mrs. Vincent, roguish
~, TO her handsome young husband. -
Come, let's hasten down to meet her
declare m actually consumed with
curiosity to see my husbands ward"
And, slipping her hand through hi
arm, she drew him playfully along to
ward the broad staircase.
He went, half reluctantly, half shylv.
It must be confessed, for the guardian.
ship of the young lady in auesti ion mad
been most unexpectedly i'm posed upou
MIN by An eccentric relative now de-
ceased, and, being young and iuexperi
enced, Fred Vincent found the situa
ton somewhat en- barrassing. But his
young wife had kindly come to his re-.
lief and had herself written the invita-.
ton which brought the young girl to
her future home.i
they entered the parlor, the mingled
brilliance of the freight and Raslipht
railing full upon her, and at the first
sight of her both husband and wife.
who had expected to see sallow. half.
A tall and extremely elegant figure.
and a face wondrously lair and lovely
met their astonished eyes. The deem
mourning which she wore rendered the
exquisite fairness of her skin almost
dazzling, and she responded to their
Kindly welcome with a stately grace
that made gentle, pretty Mrs. Vincent
seem almost awkward by comparison.
And, as the days and weeks wore on .
that strange sense of inferiority, when
in contrast with her husbands beauti-
ful ward, increased rather than dimin
ished. For, somehow, Miss Lily Buell.,
tall and fair and queenly as the flower
for which she was named, seemed oui-
city to take her place as the ruling
spirit of the house.
Fred soon learned to consult her tastes
and opinions in everything, the servants
ebeyed her as though she was a princess.
while Mrs. Vincent herself unconscious
~ deferred to her far oftener than did
Miss Buell. to her guardian g wife
Fred was passionately fond of
music. So was his wife, and many
were the happy evenings they had
spent together at the piano, their
voices blending in their favorite songs.
But, since Lily's coming, she had
gradually usurped Ada's place at the
instrument, until now the latter rarely
thought Of sitting down, as OF old, to
play her husbands accompanimepts
when he sang.
There was time when Fred ap-
proved of that arrangement only for
sake but now there was
pleased smile on his lips and an
eloquent light in his eyes as he bent
over the fair musician which told
that he did not care to have it chang
I'd.
That look often brought a blush to
Lily's cheek aud sometimes q sigh To
Ada's lips as she noticed it, although
Tor many week such u feeling as
lealously was far from her heart,
But at last the "cloud no bigger
han mans hand appeared In their |
horizon, and then a storm, sooner or |
ater, was inevitable. 1t came with q |
bouquet OF exquisite lilies which |
Fred brought home one summer even
ng.
Ada CHANGED to be sitting alone in !
he parlOr, and she rose to meet him
With smiling face.
For me?" she cried, delightedly.
'Oh, Fred, how lovely You couldn'tI
AVE brought me anything that would
please me more" and she held out her
iand, never doubling that the pretty
lift was meant for her.
But Fred, coloring little, involun-
arily drew the flowers back from her
utstretchsd hand.
Excuse me, Ada, dear, but brought
hese for Lily. They are her favorites,
ou know, and promised her a bou-
uet for the concert tonight. I will re-
member you with one still prettier to-
norrow," he added, hastily, noticing
be change that swept over her face
won't that do rs we'll? ?"
Ada's smiles had all died out now.
Or the iron of jealousy had deeply
ntered her heart at last.
1t will have to do, suppose" she
eplted, quite coldly, "since Lily Is 80
)rtunate as to be first with you in all
hings." Ii
Nonsense he exclaimed, colorine
till more deeply. els 1t possible that
on are jealous, Ada ?"
Perhaps am" she answered in a | 1
voice. "And really think I
have some cause to be 3d."
Pshaw % said he, trying to speak
arelessly. "Why, Lily is my cousin"
u In the third or fourth degree only.
! very poor Defense" was her quick
nd angry retort. Then, suddenly c
necking herself, she added gently +
But, Fred, have no wish to quarrel 9
18th you or to appear unkind or ung n
rous toward Lily. 1 never knew until l
Dw how keenly have felt the change l
lat her coming here has made. For
lere is change, Though you may not
m 7 In In
,eak of it again, only remember this, a
red, turning to look him fully and q
rmly In the eyes, must be all to \
gu or-nothing.
Then, with a pale, set face, Strangely
nike her usual, gentle, sweet express n
on, she turned and: swiftly left the (
'om. IL
Fred stood gazing after her, lost In y
lrprise and feeling little guilty, too.
II he could not deny to himself the
lstioe of her charge. la