Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-03-19
Nh. RAYNoR,s WIFE.


making: pies. The bright June sun
shine strsyed in at the open window,
trailing its golden ray through the
pink-and-purple morning glories, and
paving q little tremulous pathway over
the snow-white floor.
Bees buzzed in the clover blossoms
outside. and the robin red breast, which
had built its nest in the tall poplar tree
near the kitchen window, was rehears-
ing for grand concert.
Hannah's dark, piqaant face was full
OF discomfort as she mixed her pastry
and rolled it out, working away as
though her life depended upon her
e6orts.
elm tiredl" she burst forth, impet-
uously, though whom she was address.
ing it was difficult to tell, for she was
all alone in the great breezy kitchen
''tired of this drudgery and con6ne-
ment! So little time for study and to
write. Yet | know that if had only
the leisure could make money enough,
writing for story papers, to help father
q great deal!'
s'Ha! hal"
The laugh, which rang out sweet
and silvery in the doorway, was sar-
castle aud singing.
Hannah closed the oven door on
her pies with bang, and turned to
face the intruder.
A lovely, blonde vision greeted her
eyes-a girl of Is, attired in floating
white muslin, with cardinal libbons,
and moss rosein her braids OF golden
hair, and another fastening the lace at
her white throat,
"Listen!" cried the merry voice.
"Come. mamma, and hear Hannah,
the kichengirl, lecture on woman
rights becoming an authoress and
making money-actually fortune
writing for the press! Oh, it's toe
funny for anythingl Hannah, the
cook, an authoressP'
Hannah Meads slim figure was
drawn up proudly to its full height,
her clear eyes flashed, her red lips
curled.
"Kitchen girl. cook!' she repeated
"Belle West, who made a house
drudge of me but your own mother!
was happy here with papa, and never
had to work until he, poor, old man
was foolish enough to take second
wife. On the day that he married
your own mother, the Widow West
and you and she came here to live
our servrnt was dismissed, and | was
installed in her place. The burden o
the housework is laid upon my shoul
ders that you may keep your hands
white, and pass your time angling fol
a rich husband"
A tall, angular woman, in a tawdry
wrapper, sailed into the kitchen.
"I'll teach you to air your insolence
here!'
And she struck the astonished girl {
heavy blow upon the cheek.
For a moment Hannah stood too
bewildered to utter word, the rec
blood crimsoning her cheek and mark
ing the spot where her stepmother'
insult had fallen.
With the majesty of an outraged
empress she turned to leave the room
"Mrs. Meade" she said, in low
clear tone which somehow made tn,
lrate stepmother pause, Il am going tc
leave this house. First l shall see my
father and tell him of this outrage
and then | am going away. You cal
procure another servant in my place
and your daughter will have no one t.
comment on her strenuous effort tt
marry Mr., Raynor!"
GAS if | ever tried" she began
Indignantly.
But Hannah did not wait to hea
more; she walked quietly from tn
room and sought her father.
ssThere, mother, " cried Belle, as sool
as the two were alone; "see what yo1
have done. Hannah will go away ane
you will have to get a servant, whicl
will make an extra hole in our spend
ing money; and tell you I have tt
put forth every effort if I ever expec
to win Ernest Raynor.'
aYou shall win h1m!' returned th,
mother decidedly. HE is rich, anc
there Is not another such party to be
mad. Do your best, Belle, and be glae
that we are safely rid Of that girl. X
tell the truth | have fancied lately
that Mr.. Raynor admired her.
"Mother, you are mistaken! Wha
an idea!'
"No, | am sure I am correct. Yor
ought to see him look at her. Well
run and get your hat now; it is quite
time for him to be here, if he is com
ing to take you to the picnic"
Hardly had the two left the kitchen
when tall, graceful form arose from
bench under the poplar tree, mai
with scornful look upon his hand
some face.
ssBy Jove!' he exclaimed indignan
tly, Il know Belle West as she is a
last. So she's trying to catch my for
tune? It's lucky that old Farme
Meade brought me out here where
.>o;crht Gnd a ronL oyaf tn cnonI a w,