Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-09
A YOUNG STEPMOTHER

az never will call her smother!'
never will love her! And there's nc
use in urging the matter with me;
tell you that my mind is made up"
stamped my foot passioDately on
the floor as spoke, and [ could feel
the hot scarlet flush sufusing all my
face.
NY father looked vexed and discom-
fted, but he laid his hands kindly on
mine.
"Isabel," he said, caressingly, ''for
for my sake, think for my sake, you
will try and overcome this unfortunate
prejudice against one who is as good
and gentle as she is beautiful"
| turned sullenly away without a
syllable of reply, and buried myself
and tribulations in the shadiest and
most retired walk in the garden. But
even as I leaned over the hand-rail,
mechanically fixing my eyes on the
whirl OF the musical water below, a
light hand touched my shoulder, and
started to find myself looking directly
into the face of my beautiful young
Stepmother.
1S6D6l. Su0 SctlO SOlUlys
al did not expect to find you here,
Mrs. Farnham," Isaid coldly. 81 had
supposed that at least in one spot OF
my fathers garden | should be free
from unwelcome companionshlp."
''Will not you believe that ] love
you, Isabel?" she pleaded, while her
wistful violet eyes and trembling lips
would have melted airy heart less
marble-cold than mine.
f'These private theatricals are quite
unnecessary, madame" [ answered,
frigidly. 81 can hardly be expected to
yield child's reverence to q mother
scarcely three years older than my
SELF
81 do not ask for any such feeling
on your part, Isabel-but / would
plead for q little love-"
"It is quite useless. The memory OF
my own mother" and here stopped
short, with q choking sensation in my
throat.
My stepmother turned to steal her
arm, SO fair and round in it's translu-
cent muslin sleeve, around my waist.
"Dear Isabel" she whispered, "your
father treasures the recollection of his
first wife none the less tenderly be-
cause ne has taken pity upon my des-
olation and friendlessness. Aud"
But | stopped to hear nothing fur
ther; was determined not to love her,
and it gave NE sort of unquiet,
guilty exultation to see that my per-
verse conduct had power seriously to
-embitter the happiness OF both her.
self and my father.
ID, L ho6 hN
care to my personal appearance; now
studied the trivial details of dress,
with a special regard 10 outshining
my stepmother.
CAT all events" | thought to my
self, 81 am more beautiful than she
is"
Tread, studied and cultivated my
mind with renewed energy; people
should not say that Mrs. Farnham
was more intelligent than her STEP
daughter. strove to render my man
ners as gentle and fascinating as posi-
BILE.
''Isabel," my father said, ''you are
improving very much of late, and re-
mind me more than ever of your dear
mother. If you could only try to
grow little more fond of Estelle-"
l turned laughingly away, with some
careless remark about the matter.
So weeks and months passed away,
and we, the inmates of the household,
dwelling beneath one roof, were yet as
far apart In heart and nature as if
continents divided US, or seas rolled
between.
'Not smallpox, SURELY"
My stepmother's voice reached me,
as if through the medium of distance,
faint and soft, although she was sit
ting at my side. l tried to speak, but
I could not. [ strove to raise my
hand and beckon, but | was powerless
as baby a day old
81 fear it is," DR.. Dayton's voice an
,swered, "and [ can give you but little
hopes of your husband, although
Bellies vigor of constitution and youth
may enable het 80 weather the
storm"
Was my father, then, sick? And
what blighting influence cast its spell
over me? l tried to remember, but
my memory was blank. And with
the instructive efforts to repel my
stepmother's hand AS she laid a
bandage, dipped in some cooling To-
ton, on my brow, | seemed to drift
away upon the tideless sea of dreams.
When l recovered my senses
months afterward, as it seemed to me,
although it could have been but a few
'days-Dr. Dayton was still standing
by my bedside, and close by the win
dow sat slender figure In black--its
face was turned away.
fWho is that?" | asked huskily,
pointing toward it.
ssMrs. Farnham," he answered.
@sWhy does she wear that black