Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-02-26
TIE NEW WIFE.

-n--. kNNillEs 0dit, III Inc current.
THE NEW WIFE.
Miss Cherry, Miss Cherry, it is time
TO come inl'
The old stable-cloek struck six as
Nurse Nancy stood with her hand
shading her eyes-the sun was sinking
behind the fringe of willows that out
lined the river, and the dead leaves
fluttercd to and fro upon the brick
paved walk that extended beneath the
cspaiter of pear-trees.
And Cherry Fountain, sitting in
low rustic chair on the river bank, new
erstirred.
'.Miss Cherry" reiterated the old
nurse; cold yourself, you might have
some consideration for Master viii
fred"
Nancy, don't interrupt cried
Cherry. petulantly; ''we are happy
here, Willie and |. Why can't you let
us alone?'
But your papa is asking for you,
Miss Cherry. He has come home, he
and your mamma"
''Be and his new wife, you mean"
said Cherry with a curl of her lip.
But little Wilfred jumped UP and
pulled eagerly at his sisters dress
Lets go in, Cherry" said he; II
love papa. And ! want to see my new
mamma.
Cherry rose slowly and reluctantly,
but before she could pick up her books
and shawl, a light figure, dressed in
some glistening white material, came
running out to the river shore.
ssA here arn fbp chil1rap pN ooid N
soft voice; II want to see the child
rem.
Willie, an aflectionate little fellow of
eight years old, ran into the arms of
lis young stepmother, and oyerwhelm-
cd her with kisses, which were most
cordially received, but Cherry hung
back with defiant chances.
Come here, darling" said Mrs.
Fountain. "Why, you are nearly as
lall as ! am. Papa, turning arehly to
The bridegroom, who had followed
more slowly her flying footsteps, you
never told us that this Cherry of ours
was almost a young lady.
because didn't realize it myself"
said Colonel Fountain. caressing one of
Cherry 5 long brown curls, and think
ing. even at that inauspicous moment,
how much Ike her dead mother she
was growing. Cherry. this is your
new mamma, You must be great
friends with hcri'
The tears brimmed into Cherry's
eycs-her lips qu.yer,.d.
Mrs. Fountain 5 quick eye saw it all,
Lul She bad too II uch tact to Interfere.
she only kissed Cherry and clasped
her hand tendcrIy, and then began to
iaik about the beauty of the river all
Redeemed in the sunset glow.
"lhey are bcaut full children she said
Go her husband that night. Il am
sure | shall love them if only they will
let met
Il don't think there will be any
trouble about that, dariiug," said the
colonel fondly.
Nor would there have been, il Cher
rvs frank. generous soul had been left
10 its own impulses. But the neigh
bors had cOndOled with her too SYM
pathetically. Miss Darling, who would
herself have been glad to console the
handsome wid0wer, had said plaintive-
";
You, dear Cherry, must remember
YOUR mothers memory, although your
father seems to have forgotten it. -
And Aunt Frederick. the elder sister
of the deceased lady, had ostentatiously
come to the house to remove all the
personal belongings of the late Mrs.
Fountain. during the absence of the
colonel on his wedding-tour.
Il dare say your new ma will be for
ilinging all these in the fire" said she.
81 only hope she will be kind to Willie,
poor childl'
''lf she is not, flashed Cherry, ''she
will have me to settle with.
But Aunt Frederick, only groaned
and shook her head.
And it was in this spirit 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
lite ilower-bed, Cherry said the bride
one morning. willie told me so. You
and must make it our care to keep
the place always bright and lovely"
Cherry blushei n little as she glanc-
cd down at the weed-grown ParteyTe.
There is no occasion for troubling
you,' said she. Il can take care of it
myself. -"
"But | should like to helpyou, dear,
am so fond OF gardening.
i prefer TO do it myself, said Cher
Ty stillly.
Mrs. Fountain looked at her wistful-
~, but said nothing more just then. In
the afternoon she came to the little
boudoir where Cherry sat reading
Where are your books, Cherryp"
said she. Your papa thinks | could
read French and German with you and
help YOU in your practicing."
"Thanks,' said Cherry, suddenly
Strengthening herself up; ''but ] don't
want any help. II would rather go on
with my daily governess, Miss N irray,
Just rs did before.
And once more Alice found herself
repealed.
Aunt Frederick came daily to the
house, and sat solemnly in judgment
on the brides new theories of house
hold management. Miss Darling Gid
ed in and out like a shadow, attaching
herself markedly to Cherry.
There was a decided counter-current
in the house. which Alice could feel
rather than sec; and, rs the davs went
by. she began vaguely to fancy that
even her husband was different from
what he had been.
One morning, sitting at the window.
she saw carriage loaded with trunks
drive up.
Dear Felix, she cried, running to
where her husband sat in the library,
A'have YOU invited companyP"
Colonel Fountain Redeemed little
Company repeated he. '-0h yes,
| see. INTENDED TO have mentioned it
before. The fact is, dear. my sister
FREDERICK is coming here for few
months. You are so young and mex
perienccd that | thought, perhaps, it
would be better for her to take charge
OF the housekeeping, for the present, at
least.
Aice's damaSk-rose complexion deep
ened into scarlet.
"Have in any way failed to meet
your wishes, Felix?n said she, in a
stihed voice.
mo, no; but FREDERICK thought"
Il do not want to hear what Fred
erica thought" said Mrs. Fountain
quickly.
And Cherry is getting so lawIess.
and Willie is positively ungoyernable,
and FREDERICK says that the house needs
lirmer hand to rule it, went on Col
oncl Fountain.