The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-12
A FAIRY GODMOTHER.
How Margie's Step-Mother Won
Her Daughter.

81 shall never be reconciled-neverp %
said Margie, violently.
"But why, my daughter" asked her
father, earnestly.
Because l can't endure to see my
mother forgotten, and another person in
her place! Because l hate step mother :"
"YOur mother can never be forgotten,
my dear" said Mr. Barnard, gently, "nor
her place filled; but kind, sweet tempered
woman can make US all much happier, l
am sure"
"No doubt she'll be very nice to you,"
cried Maygie with flashing eyes, ''but l
know she'll be horrid to the children and
me-"
"Margaretw said her father, sternly, 81
don't wish to hear any more remarks of
that kind. l depend upon your good sense
TO feel better about this, upon cooler second
thought, and to be prepared to give her a
cordial reception. You NAV 60 now"
Margie bounced out of the room without
another word. But when she had reached
her own room and locked the door behind
her, she gave full vent to her violence.
~ hate her!" she cried aloud. 81 know
how she'll get round papa, and make him
think she's saint, while she's as mean as
dirt to us.''
Much more she said, which is better not
repeated. and she ended with hard fit of
CRYING, which left her with a severe head
ache.
The next day she went to her dearest
friend, Molly Brooks, told her tie terrible
news, and received her sympathy. Later,
the matter was talked over among the
girls, and she found herself regarded as
one on whom a heavy misfortune was
about to fall. And before the end of the
week she had worked herself into state
of obstinate rebellion, and was ready for
almost any line of conduct, however abb
surd.
When the time for the marriage arrived,
and her father went away to be gone a
week, Margie turned a small army of work
people into the house, and had it cleaned
and put in order from garnet to cellar, that
the new conner might have no cause to fat
ter herself that they needed a better house
keeper than they had.
On the day the marriage took place, and
Mr.. Barnard telegraphed her that he should
be home early in the afternoon, Margie-
who had carefully made her plans-gave
her orders about dinner, and went out. She
did not return till six O'Clock, just as dinner
was served; and then, instead of going to
greet the stranger, she removed her hat
and took her usual place at the head of the
table. There she was found by her father
when he led his wife into the room, sullen
defiance in every line of her face.
This open rebellion for q moment took
Mr.. Barnard by surprise, and mech anically
he introduced his wife, whom Alargie coldly
addressed as "Mrs. Barnard,'' bowling
slightly, but not Offering her hand.
Ali through the meal she was studiously
polite, but so exceedingly dignified that it
would have been laughable, had it not been
so foolish and sad to see. After dinner she
retired to her own room, and was seen no
more that night.
Mr.. Barnard was troubled. Exactly how
to deal with Margie he found it hard to de-
eide, but something he was resolved to do.
"Julia," he said to his wife, during the
evening, after the children had gone to
bed, and they were sitting alone by the
fire, 81 will not allow such disrespect to
you and TO me-"
"Now please, James," was the gentle
response, don't let my coming bring her
any serious trial, or she will never forgive
it. Leave her to me; let me manage her;
] think l can win her."
Unfortunately the door was aiar, and
Margie, stealing quietly down to give di-
rections about breakfast, overheard these
few remarks. 1t fired her afresh, and
changed her rebellion against step-
mothers in general to special enmity to
this particular one.
"Humph" she muttered, Manage me!
That's what NV Lady proposes to do!
Well, we'll see,"
The next morning when Margie entered
the breakGast-room the new mistress was
already in her proper place at the head of
the table, while her father sat opposite
her, with face so stern that Margie, re-
membering the threat of school, dared not
do anything but submit.
She took seat at the side, ate what little
she could swallow, refusing coffee from the
hands of her step mother, though coffee
was the only thing she cared for at break
fast, and behaving as like foolish child
as she knew how.
Margie noticed with pang that in spite
s-of her care TO infect the children with her
feelings, both had been already won. Both