The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-26
CUPID'S TRIUMPH.

fact remains, and IN the case OF Mrs
Nanstone's re-marriage. after a long
widowhoou. nobody was satisfied. Old
servants sulked: relations looked black;
Millie Nanstone retired to her room.
drowned in tears; Charley stalked
about the woods, pretending to shoot
partridges and squirrels. aud avoided
the step-paternal presence as much as
possible.
''Oh. George, what shall | do?' said
Mrs. Beverley which was the lady 5
new name-ready TO cry.
Don't mind EN- dear,' said the
squire. with great, rolling laugh.
They're only children; they'll grow
wiser as they grow older. y
But the sQuire's determined good hu-
NOR aggravated his stepchildren more
than any amount of positive opposition
would have done. aud they made no
effort TO conceal their feelings.
Il never. never can call that fat man
father,' said Millie
My dear. he don't want you to, -
said Mrs. Beverley.
Il can't endure the sight of him.
pouted Millie. And Charley says ex-
actly the same thing"
Charley is a disobedient, migrate
full SON. sobbed Mrs. Beverley.
But here the squire himself came to
the rescue.
Young people," said he. Il don t
object to your making yourselves as
miserable as you like, but YOU mustn' {
torment your mother. I'll have none
of this!n
Mile lost no time in carrying this
revolutionary speech straight to her
brother.
Very well, said Charley. coolly;
1--WE Il accept the challenge" "
III not submit to his tyranny, "
said Millie. I've got plan"
80 have |, said Charley. "lots of
'em; only they don't seem to work
when | try to get them into practice. :"
'l've been writing to Louise Nane, "
said Ailie.
"Who the dickens Is Louise Vane?n
''Oh. Charley with a shocked look.
you must know, Louise Vane-my
dearest fr.eud-the only person in all
the world who thoroughly understand:
mel"
s'It seems TO me as if | had heard
the name before, now YOU mention it, -
said Charley. rumpling up his brown,
curly hair. 'But why should YOU
write to her? and what has it got to dc
with our ailairs?"
''She sympathizes so thoroughly with
me, said Mile. "She considers sec.
ond marriage as sinful as ! do And
she has asked me to come to her and
stay as long as please. And there is
a nice hotel in the village. Charley
and her father is very hospitable. And
there is a fine supply of trout. and de
lightful shooting. Louise writes, and
plenty of agreeable society"
Not bad idea, said Charley, re
flectingly.
So that very night the young people
deserted the shadow of the same root
that sheltered their hated step-father,
leaving the orthodox letter on the ira
ditional pin-cushion.
'sOh, Georgei what shall we do?'
cried Mrs. Beverley. turning pale when
she comprehended that her children
were gone
Give 'em their heads, said the
squire. composedly drinking his coffee.
''Never drive young colts with toe
tight a rein. They'll be glad to como
back in six weeks, or less, see if they
amt"
''But it's such fuss about nothing
said Mrs. Beverley, half-laughing, half
crying.
That's the beauty of it" said th,
squire. That's precisely what they
enjoyr and the jolly old fellow shooL
with laughter.
Louise Yane received her former
schoolmate with effusion.
Her father, a stately, middle-ageC
gentleman, spoke a few kindly word:
of welcome.
''Oh, deart' said Mile, when she
was alone with her friend. II do hope
we shall not disturb Mr.. Vane.
Nothing d;sturbs papa" said Lou
Use. He will never think of noticing
such chits as we are Every old maid
and widow in the village has tried tc
marry him ever since poor MANN;
died.
How dare they.'' said indignant
Millie. Il think the legislature ough
to pass a law against second marriage
They are wicked, sinful; an outrage OF
civilization"
''Of course they are" said Louise
But don't worry, darling. Remem
Der that you are with me now
And the two callow young dovei
fluttered into each others arms, will
renewed VOWS of eternal friendship.
Three months OF happiness at Van'
Lodge followed. Mile and Louis
read their favorite authors together
and worked hideous Kensington screen
and impossible porfieres intreweis.
And all this time neither she no
Charley wrote a line to Mrs. Beverly.
liam afraid they have discarded me,
said the poor lady. 81 fear that the,
never mean to forgive me-" she added
with a deep sigh.
My dear, don't be a goose,' sal,
the squire. You don't regret on
marriage. do you?'
Never said Mrs Beverley, with
CLEAN of spirit
Neither do r. said the squir
laughing.
But one day Mr.. Yaue called hi
daughter into his study. with a seriou
face, and when she came out she wa
drowned in tears, and fed straightwar
to the haven of her dearest friend
4 room.
"Darliug." cried Mile, ..what is tn
matter? Tell me. l beseech you.
.'The worst that could possibly hap
pen!" cried Louise. tragicaIly. Pap
| is going to marry againi"
Millie crimsoned to the very roots o
her hair.
HE told me so himself" " said Louise
81 never stopped to ask him who
was that was to desecrate our happy
happy home, / just clasped my hand
and cried, Papa" and ran away, sob
bing as it my heart would break. Oh
and / had so hoped that when | wa
married we could stay on here just tn
same; but, with a stepmofher, c
course, nothing viii ever be the same.
you married, Louiset" cried Mile
Didn't be tell you? But it onl
happened this morning. Charley hs
asked me to become his wife
..But. faltered Millie. If your stel
mother loved You very much indeed
..Fiddlesticksr' said Louise; ..as if
stepmother could love one! Oh, l hal
her already! And you. too. my poe
wounded gazelle, viii be driven frol
your refuge. If | could only offer 20
a home
/ ..It's so good of you. darling,'
whispered Millie ..But / don't reall
think that it viii be necessary. becaus
-because-'f
You're not engaged to be marriee
too?n almost shrieked Louise, struc
with a certain consciousness ia ne
friend face. ,. h;r,
down her head.