The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-17

etiu hSh SItNSA1s DoBtu
70 believe that Frederick is right about your
temperi"
Mrs. Fountain could endure no more
She turned and left the room. Col. Foun-
tain looked earnestly after her. Like most
men, he hated scenes, but nevertheless
his conscience pricked him a little. He half
rose, as if to follow her, and then he sat
down again.
Frederick says I ought not to give way
to her in everything" said he. And per.
haps she is right. Frederick thinks that
the children should receive little more OF
my attention. I'll go and walk through the
garden with them now. OF course the poor
darlings ought not to be neglected because
have married again.
Half an hour later Alice looked out of the
easement and saw her husband coming out
of the greenhouse with Cherry fondly
clinging to his arm, Willie trotting on be.
fore, and Aunt Frederick following, with
both hands full of the rare white grapes
which the old Scotch gardener parted with
so reluctantly.
They are happy enough without me-"
she said to herself, with sharp sudden
pang at her heart. 81 am only an intruder
here"
When Col. Fountain came upstairs to
dress for dinner he found the room empty,
out little note lay on the bureau.
DEAREST FELIX" was what no read, on
tearing it open, Il hope you will not blame
me for leaving your house. But have de-
cided that l cannot live where I am not
loved and trusted thoroughly. If you and
Cherry can be happier with Miss Frederick
than with me, l cheerfully abdicate in her
favor. One thing is certain, there cannot
be two mistresses in home And will try
to be as happy as possible with my Uncle
Willoughby in the meantime. And please
do not forget that I am still Your most low
ing ALICE"
Col. Fountains first impression was that
of hot anger, his second a dull despair. But
Aunt Frederick pursed up her lips.
Depend upon it, Felix" she said "the
girl is tired of you. l do despise these chits
that never know their own mind !"
" Be silent |" said Fountaia, hoarsely
&C You have ruined me! Is not that enough ?"
A week of Aunt Frederica's rule complete
burst into tears, one day, when the old lady
was especially exacting.
g I wish l had my mamma back again."
said she, impetuously.
% Your sainted mother, dear child
groaned Miss Frederick, &c is i'll heaven"
" But mean my mamma-Alice," sobbed
Cherry. +" / do miss her so dreadfullyi ]
believe she really loved me. And-and I do
love her. and wish / hadn't behaved 30
horribly to her There !"
Cant we bring her home ?" shouted
Willie Nobody remembers to help me
with my sums, or to cut out paper ships for
me, now that mamma is gone,"
we will bring her home.n said Felix,
who was just then particularly exasperated
ut discovering that Miss Frederick had boon
transforming Alice's Joutoir into bedroom
for sunIe fourth cousin other who was
contemplating an unlimited sojourn OF the
house.
And Alice. sitting solitary and alone. like
Mariana in the Moatod Grange" was as.
tonished that very day by the unexpected
vision of Cherry herself.
Mamma, said the girl, half bashful,
half eager, dearest mamma, will You for
give us all, and particularly me? Will you
come home to us again? We are SO lonely
without you, and papa says"
But Alice had sprung to her feet and
clasped her repentant step-daughter in her
arms.
"Will you really love me, dearest 2" said
she. Oh, Cherry, Cherry if you could
but know how have pinned for your Lowell"
So she came home again, this time to an
undivided kingdom. For Miss Frederick
and her sisters bad been politely turned out
Of doors, the J0udoir was itself again,
and Felix was waiting ON the threshold &c
welcome her back.
My dear" said he, "Ihave made fool
Of myself. l see it all now. II shall not
happen second time"
Did do right, Felix ?" she said, timid-
ly. Z" But, oh, was 20 wretched"
Sweetheart" said Col. Fountain with
limitless loyalty, "you are always right'
Mamma is always right, " echoed Cherry
and Willie, showering caresses on their re-
covered treasure.
For, by some magic spell, Alice had con-
triyed to convert the whole family at last.
II was never "my stepmother again, it
was always "mamma Alice" -Shirtey
Br0sone.