The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-05-07
THE NEW WIFE.

"hiSs Cherry, Miss Cherry, it is time
to como I'M" !,
The old stablc-clock struck six as
Nurse Nancy stood with her hand
shading her eycs-thc sun was sinking
behind the fringe of willows that out
lined the river, and the dead leaves
1luttcred TO and fro upon the brick
paved walk that extended beneath the
eSpaitcr of pcar-trees.
And Cherry Fountain, sitting in n
low rustic chair on the rivcr-bank, nev-
erstirrcd.
'Miss Cherry" reiterated the old
nurse; cold yourself, you might have
some consideration for Master Will
fred"
Nancy, don't interrupt" cried
here, Willie and /. Why can't you let
us alonc?"
But your papa is asking for you,
Miss Cherry. He has como home, he
and your mamma"
'Hc and his new wife, you mean"
said Cherry with a curl of her lip.
But little Wilfrcd jumped UP and
pulled eagerly at his sisters dress.
LETS go in, Cherry" said he; Il
love papa. And want to see my new
mamma
Cherry rose slowly and reluctantly,
but before sho could pick up her books
and shawl, n light figure, dressed in
some glistcning white material, came
running out to the river shore.
"Whcrc arc the children?n said 4
soft voice; IL want to sec tho child
rem"
Willie, an afl'ectionate little fellow of
eight years old, ran into tho arms of
his young stepmothcr, and overwhelm-
ed her with kisses. which were most
cordially received, but Cherry hung
back with defiant glances.
Come here, darling," said Mrs.
Fountain. "W5T, you arc nearly as
tall as am. Papa turning archly to
the bridegroom, who had followed
more slowly her flying footsteps "you
never told us that this Cherry of ours
was almost ayoung lady,
because | didn't realize it myself,n
said Colonel Fountain, caressing one of
Chorry's long brown curls, and think
ing, even at that inauspicious moment,
how much like her dead mother she
was growing. CHERRY. this is your
new mamma. You must be great
friends with herr'
The tears brimmed into Cherry's
cycs-her lips quivercd.
Mrs. Fountains S quick eye saw it all,
but she had too much tact to interfere
She only kissed Cherry and clasped
her hand tcndcrly, and then began to
talk about the beauty of tho river, all
reddened in the sunset glow.
They arc beautiful children" she said
to her husband that night. II am
sure 1 shall love them if only they will
let men
II don't think there will be any
trouble about that, darling" said tho
colonel fondly.
Nor would there have been, if Cher
rvs frank, generous soul had been left
to its own impulses. But tho neigh
bors had condoled with her too sym
pathcticaliy. Miss Darling, who would
herself have been glad to console tho
handsome widowcr, had said plaintive-
ly:
you, dear Cherry, must remember
your mothers memory, although your
father seems to have forgotten it )"
" And Aunt FrcdGrica, the elder sister
of the deceased lady, had ostcntatiously
come to the house to remove all the
personal belongings of the late Mrs.
Fountain, during tho absence of the
IL dare say your new ma will be for
finging all these in the fire." said sho.
81 only hope she will be kind to Willie,
poor childn'
'.lf she is not" flashed Cherry, "she
Will have me to settle with"
4. But Aunt Frederica, only groaned
and shook her head
And it was in this spfrit that Cherry
was prepared to meet her fathers sec.
ond wife. Small wonder that Alice
Fountain found it well-nigh impossible
to win her love.
This was your dear mammals favor
ite flower-bed, Cherry said tho bride
one morning. "Willie told me so. You
and must make 1t our caro- to keen
the place always bright and lovely"
Cherry blushod little as she glanc-
ed down IT. ,oho wecd-grown pafterre.
There is no occasion for troubling
you" said she. 81 can take care of It
myself" :"
"But I should like to hOlPyou, dear,
/ am so fond Of gardening"
4 prefer to do it myself" said Cher
ry stiffly.
Mrs. Fountain looked at her wistful-
ly, but said nothing moro just then. In
the afternoon she came to the little
boudoir where Cherry sat reading.
"Where are your books, ChorryP"
said she. "Your papa thinks 1 could
read French and German with you and
help you in your practicing."
''Thauks," said Cherry, suddenly
straighte .ng herself up; "but don't
want any help. II would rather 90 on
with my daily governess, Miss Murray,
Just as did before"