The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-05-29
THE NEW WIFE.

ENA' - 'h'' D'N'' ~ ~ N'N W
come in -
The old stable-clock struck six as Nurse
Nancy stood with her hand shading her
eyes-the sun was sinking behind the
fringe of willows that outlined the river.
and the dead leaves fluttered to and fro
upon the brick-paved walk that extended
beneath the espalier of pear trees.
And Cherry Fountain, sitting in a low
rustic chair ON the ~river-banks, never
stirred.
"Miss Cherry reiterated the old nurse:
eff you are not cold yourself. You might
have some consideration for Master Will
fred
sNancy, don't interrupt, ;" cried Cherry,
petulantly; 1--WE are happy here, Willie and
|. Why can't you let us alone ?"
sBut your papa is asking for you, Miss
Cherry. He has come home, he and your
mamma"
'He 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; Il love
papa. And | want to see my new NAM
ma
Cherry rose silently and reluctantly, but
before she could pick up her books and
shawl, a light figure, dressed in some glis-
tening white material, come running ont
to the river shore.
"Where are the clidren?'' said q soft
voice; 81 want to see the children"
Willie, an affectionate little fellow of
eight years old, ran into the arms of his
young stepmother, and overwhelmed her
with kisses, which were most cordially re-
ceived, but Cherry hung back with defiant
glances.
"Come here, darling . said Mrs. Foun-
tain. why, you are nearly as tall as I
am. Papa" Turning archly toward the
bridegroom, who had followed more slow
ly 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 Cher
rvs long brown curls, and thinking. 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 18th her -
The tears brimmed into C~herry's eyes
her lips quivered.
Mrs. Fountains quick eye saw it all,
but she had too much tact to interfere.
She only kissed Cherry and clasped her
hand tenderly, and then began to talk
about the beauty of the river, all Redeemed
in the sunset glow.
''They are beautiful children she said
to her husband that night. Il am sure |
shall love them if only they will let me".'
81 don't think there will be any trouble
about that, darling" said the colonel
fondly.
Nor would there have been, if Cherry's
frank generous soul had been left to its
own impulses. But the neighbors had
condoled with her too sympathetically.
Miss Darling. who would herself have
been glad to console the handsome
widower, had said plaintively:
'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 be-
longings of the late Mrs. Fountain, during
the absence of the colonel on his wedding
tour.
II dare say your new ma will be for
finging all these in the fire, " said she. Il
only hope she will be kind to Willie, poor
ehild.,''
eff 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 second wife.
Small wonder that Alice Fountain found it
well nigh impossible to win her love.
This was your dear mammals ~favorite
fower-bed, Cherry said the bride one
morning. "Willie told me so. You and
l must make it our care to keep the place
always bright and lovely"
Cherry blushed a little as she glanced
down at the ~weed-grown partcyre.
'There is no occasion for troubling you,'
said she. 81 can take care of it myself
"But l should like to help you, dear, |
am so fond of gardening
~ prefer to do it myself said Cherry
stifly.
Mrs. Fountain looked at her wistfully,
but said nothing more just then. In the
afternoon she came to the little boudoir
where Cherry sat reading.
''Where are your books, Cherry ?" said
she. "Your papa thinks | could read
French and German with you and help you
in your pacticing.'
"Thanks,'' said Cherry, suddenly
Strengthening herself up; "but | don't
want any help. would rather go on with
my daily governess, Miss Murray. just as l
did before"
And once more Alice found herself re-
PEELED.
Aunt Frederick came daily TO the house,
and sat solemnly in Judgment on the