The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1888-12-08
DIg SteDnOtleT.

Il never will call her motherp | never will
love her. And there's no use in arguing the mat
ter with me, for | tell you that my mind is made
upw
| stamped my foot passonately on the floor as
spoke, and could feel the hot scarlet flush suffus
ing all my face. Ny father looked vexed~ and dis
comfted, but he laid his hand kindly on Rine.
Isabel" he said caressingly, "for my sake, |
think you will try and overcome this unfounded
prejudice against one who is good and as gentle
as she is beautiful"
turned sullenly away, without sy liable of
reply, and buried myself and my tribulations in
the shadiest and most retired walk of the garden
But even as leaned over the hand rail, mechanic
ally fixing my eyes on the whirl of the musical
waters below, light hand touched my shoulder,
and started to find myself looking directly into
the face of my beautiful young stepmother.
Isabel - she said, softly.
81 did not ex pect to see you here, Mrs. Farm
ham !" said coldly. 81 had supposed that at least
in spot of my fathers grounds should be free
from unwecome companionship."
will you not believe that love you Isabel?"
she pleaded, while her wistful violet eyes and
trembling lip would have melted any heart less
marble-cold than mine.
"These private theatrieas are quite unnecessary,
madame answered, frigidly. 81 hardly be
expected to yield child's reverence to a mother
scarcely three years older than myself"
Il do not ask for such feeling your part, Isa-
bel-but would plead for little love-"
at is quite useless. The memory of my own
mother" and here stopped short, with chok-
ing sensation in my throat.
My stepmother ventured to steal her arm, so fair
and round in its translucent muslin sleeve, around
my waist.
'Dear Isabel" she whispered, "your father treas
the recollection of his first wife none the less
tenderly because he has taken pity upon my desc
lation and friendlessness. And"
But stopped to hear nothing farther. | was
determined not to love her, and it gave sort of
unquie, guilty exultation, to that my perverse
conduct had power seriously to embitter the happi
ness of both herself and my father.
Before, never had given thought or care to my
personal appearances now | studied the trivial de-
tails of dress, with special regard to outshining
my stepmother.
"At all events" thought to myself al am more
beautiful than she is"
read, studied and cultivated my mind with re-
newed energy people should not say that Mrs.
Farnham was intellectual than her step
daughter | strove to render my manners as gentle
and fascinating possible.
"Isabel," he said, "you are improving very much
of late and remind me more than ever of your dear
mother. If only you could try to grow a little
more fond of Estelle-"
| turned haughtily away, with some careless
remark about the matter.
So that weeks and months passed away and we,
the inmates of one household dwelling beneath one
roof, yet far apart in heart and nature il
continents divided US, or seas rolled between.
"Not smallpox, surelyp
my stepmOtners voice reacneu me, rs III through
the medium of distance, faint and soft, although
she was sitting at my side. tried to speak, but
could not l strove to raise my hand and beckon,
but was powerless a babe of day old
al fear 1t is" DIR. Dayton's voice answered, land
/ can give you but little hopes of your husband,
although Bells vigor of constitution and youth
may enable her to weather the Storm"
Was my lather, then, sick? And what blighting
influence had cast Its spell over me? / tried to
remember, butmy memory was blank. And with