The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-03-20

ell IN and out like n shadow, attaching
herself markedly to Cherry.
There was decided commencement
in the house, which Alice could feel
rather than see; and, as the DAYS went
by, she began vaguely to fancy that
even her husband was different from
what he had been.
One morning, sitting at the window,
she saw carriage loaded with trunks
drive up.
.Dear Felix" she cried, running tc
where her husband sat in the library,
''have you invited companyp"
Colonel Fountain Redeemed little.
"Company!' repeated he. ''Oh yes,
see. / intended to have mentioned it
before. The fact is, dear, my sister
Frederick is coming here for few
months. You are so young and mex
perienced that / thought, perhaps, it
would be better for her to take charge
of the housekeeping, for the present, at
least"
Alice's damask-rose complexion deep
ened into scarlet.
Have in any way failed to meet
your wishes, Felix?" sad she, in a
stifled voice.
mo, no; but Frederick thought"
IL do not want to hear what Fred
erica thought" said Mrs. Fountain
quickly.
''And Cherry is getting so lawlcss,
and Willie is positively ungovernablc,
and Frederick says that the house needs
a tirmer hand to rule it" went on Col
onel Fountain.
"Do Won think so. Felixp"
ZIP Well, no, not exactly; but you
know pet, that you are young to be at
the head of household like this
Alice bit her lip.
"Why did you not think of that be-
fore you married me?" said she.
'Now you are getting childish, Al
ice" said her husband gravely. Il
shall begin to believe that Frederick is
right about your tempcr!'
Mrs. Fountain could endure no more.
She turned and left the room.
Colonel Fountain looked earnestly
after her.
Like most men, ho hated scenes, but
nevertheless, his conscience pricked
him little. He half rose, as if to fol-
low her, and then he sat down again.
"Frederica says | ought not to give
way to her in everything" said he.
"And perhaps she is right. Frederick
thinks the children should receive a
little more Of my attention. I'll go
and walk through the garden with
them now. OF course tho poor dar-
lings 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.
g. hey arc happy enough without
me" she said to herself, with n sharp
sudden pang at her heart; 81 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,-"i hope you will mot blame
me Tor leaving your house. But | have de-
cided that l cannot live where | am not
loved and trusted thoroughly. If you anu
Cherry can be happier with Miss Frederick
than with me, | cheerfully abdicate in her
favor. One thing Is certain-there cannot
be two III stress s III n home. And l will
try To be as happy as possible with my Uncle
WllloughDy IN the meantlme.-And please
do not forget that am still your loving
ALICE"
Colonel Fountains first impression
was that of hot anger, his second dull
despair But Aunt Frederick pursod
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 Frederick rule COM
pletely disedchanted the whole family.
Cherry burst into tears one day when
the old lady was especially exacting.
II wish 1 had my mamma back
again." said she impetuously.
Your sainted mother, dear child"
groaned Miss. Frederick, sis in heav-
en-"
"But 1 mean my mamma Alice"
sobbed Cherry. II do miss her so
dreadfully! l believe she really loved
me. And-and do love her, and 1
wish hadn't behaved so horribly to
her. There!'
Cant we bring her homep" shouted
Willie. Nobody remembers to help
me with my sums, or to cut out paper
ships for me, now that mamma is
gone!"
1--WE will bring her home" said the
Colonel, who was just then particularly
exasperated at discovering that Miss
Frederick had been transforming Alice's
boudoir into a bedroom for some fourth
cousin who was contemplating an un-
invited sojourn at tho 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 mep
Will you come home to us again? We
arc so lonely without you, and papa
says"
But Alice had sprung to her feet and