Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-02

and walk through tha garden with
them now. OF course the poor dar-
hngs 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 greenhouses with
Cherry fondly clinging to his arm, VIII
lie trotting on before, and Aunt Fred
erica following with both hands full of
the rare white grapes which the old
gardener parted with so reluctantly.
"lhey are happy enough without
me, " she said to herself. with sharp
sudden pang at her heart; Il am only
an intruder here"
When Colonel Fountain came up
stairs to dress for dinner, he found the
room empty, but little note lay on
the bureau.
DEAREST FELIx," was what he read on
tearing it open,-"l hope YOU willuot blame
me for leaving your house. But | have de-
cided that cannot live where | am not
loved and trusted thoroughly. Ii you and
Cherry can be happier with Miss Frederick
than with me, | cherrfuIly abt.cata in her
favor. One thing is certain-there cannot
be two m stress IS i'll home. And | will
try to be as happy as possible with my Uncle
Willoughby in the meantime.-And please
do not forget that am still your loving
ALICE"
Colonel Fountains first impression
was that of hot anger, his second a dull
despair. But Aunt Frederica pursed
up her lips.
depend upon it, Felix" said she,
"the girl is tired of you. | do despise
these chits that never know their own
mindr'
BE SILENT said Fountain hoarsely.
"You have ruined me! Is not that
enoughP'
A week of Aunt Frederica' s rule COM
pletely disedchanted the whole family.
Cherry burst into tears one day when
the old lady was especially eNacting.
II wish l had my mamma back
again" said she impetuously.
Your sainted mother, dear child"
groaned Miss Frederica. lis in heav-
en-"
"But l mean my mamma Alice"
sobbed Cherry. Il do miss her so
dreadfully! | believe she really loved
me. And-and do love her. and
wish l hadn't behaved so horribly to
her. There!"
Cant we bring her hcme?" shouted
Willie. Nobody remembers to help
me with my sums, or TO cut out paper
ships for me, now that mamma is
gone!'
I'VE will bring her home" said the
Colonel, who was just then particularly
exasperated at discovering that Miss
Frederick had been transforming Alice, 5
boudoir into bedroom for some fourth
cousin who was contemplating an un-
invited sojourn at the house.
And Alice, sitting solitary and alone,
like Mariana in the Moated Grange" ="
was astonished that very day by the
unexpected vision of Cherry herself.
"Mamma," said the girl, half BASH
full, half eager, dearest mamma, will
you forgive 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 stepdaughter in
her arms.
..Will you really love me, dearest?'
said she. ..Oh, Cherry. Cherry. if you
could but know how | have pined for
your lover
So she came home again. this time to
an undivided kingdom. for. Miss Fred
erica and her sisters had politely been
turned out of doors; the boudoir was
itself again, and Colonel Fountain was
waiting on the threshold to welcome
her back.
MY dear" said he. l have made a
fool of myself. l see it all now. 1t
shall not happen n second time.
did l do right. FeliX?' she said. tim
idly. "But, oh. it was so wretchedr"
Sweetheart" said Colonel Fountain
with limitless loyalty, you are always
right!'
Mamma is always right" echoed
Cherry and Willie, showering caresses on
their recovered treasure.
For. by some magic spell, Alice had
contrived to convert the whole family
at lass. 1t was never .smx stnpIuoth-
er again, 1t was always Mamma
Alice"