Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1888-09-25
EnAR SECOND nAKRIA9n.
~ CLYDE RAYMOND.

letter In his hand.
"Well," he went on, after a mo-
ment OF Indignant silence. This de-
testable AFFAIR has changed nv plans
pretty etfectually, that's certain. Here
was l, just on the point OF making a
good long visit TO the old place, fancy.
ing what lonely time father must be
having there, with no one hut the SER
wants, but now Well, l guess il
Will be a good long while before my
new mamma gets chance te set eyes
on her dutitul step-son. "A charming
widow, with lovely little girl, whom
you will be sure TO love as your sister
directly you have seen her-that is, If
she is half as pretty as her photograph.
! have not met her myself, as yet, as
she is away at school," Randall
quoted, glaneing back at the letter
with something very like sneer on
his well. curved lips. ''Well, for my
part, l can assure my respected but de-
luded governor that have no inten-
ton of meeting her, so long as l can
avoid it-a pert, giggllng schoo! girl,
my special aversion always. No,
thanks, III choose tine opposite direc
ton now, If l go anywhere at all "
The troubled, halt-sueering look
grew deeper on his handsome face the
longer he pondered over the unwel-
come news. Poor fellowl he WAS
really distressed.
The thought Of his fine, noble
hearted old father being "taken i'm by
n haoi nra is,ar wusI - ak,.,
a designing widow. Randall never
doubted that and married tor his
money; and the picture which he men
tally drew of "the governors" future
with his new wife and her schoolgirl
daughter, who was, perhaps, as bold
and scheming as herself, filed him
with dismsy.
The morning was passing; but so
lost was he In his disagreeable reflec-
tons that he had forgotten all about
breakfast until the sound of some gbl.
ish voices In the hall recalled his wan
dering thoughts.
80 you really don't intend to live
at home, Katef Such lovely home
as II will be, tool''
And the voice that asked the ques-
ton had decided touch OF envy in its
.dulcet tones.
mo, indeed, l shall not live there, {"
came the answer, In clear. ringing &C.
cents, and with an emphasis which
left no room for doubt. Now that
have graduated, l shall be able TO take
care of myself; and as soon as [ have
paid this short visit to mamma, shall
60 right on to Aunt Brewster and 70
main there until / can obtain a situa-
ton as teacher The very idea of
mapma marrying againp'
And thrill of indignation and dis
gust quRvered through the proud
young voice.
~ hate step fathers on general prin-
ciples, and l hate this particular step
father already In advance. l don't
want 10 live in his beautiful home,
and l don't want any of his money. l
can hardly forgive mamma for her
marriage"
Randall's door stood open and the
two girls at that instant passed it, evi.
IDENTIFY on their way to the breakfast
room. One was strikingly handsome,
with rather tall and very graceful
figure and a lovely brunette face
which, once seen, would not be easily
forgotten. One glance at the flushed,
excited face and flashing dark eyes,
and Randall knew that she was the
speaker who had said;
~ don't want any Of his money. l
can hardly forgive mamma for her
marriRgeW
"Good for herl" he exclaimed, al
most aloud, with a thrill of intense
sympathy and admiration. $50 she,
1t seems, is placed in just such mis-.
cradle pTedicament as am. Poor
grill to be driven out into exile, as 1t
were, and separated from her mother,
whom she evidently loves, all because
of that mothers silly marriage. An,
well, there's no fool like an old fool"
with a bitter sneer, "but 1t can't be
helped now, either in her case or
mine BY Jovel she is a spirited
creature, though, and as beautiful as
she is proud. wish there was pos
sibility Of my making her acquaint-
ance.'
With that thought in his mind he
hastened down to the dining-room,
half hoping that some chance or other
might favor him with an Introduction
to the beautiful girl whose case was so
sadly similar to his own.
1t did not, however. At q distant
table he saw again the graceful figure
in its cool gray travelling dress, and he
90 M tho 1oua1U ontrita5 hr,,rat faaa
with its dark, half-scorniul eyes, and
rOse-red, tremulous lips, and knew,
by the play OF her expressive features,
as she conversed with her companion,
that her heart was still sore and bitter
over that odious marriage of her
mothers.
But no chance occurred which gave
him the least possible excuse for speak.
ing to her; and the moment the meal
was over she disappeared, and he saw
no more of her.
She did not vanish so easily from his
however. Day after day aud
night after night those flashing eyes
and that clear-rinGing, proud young
voice haunted his dreams
II know l could love that GIRL" he
told himself hundred times. "Even
If she were not so beautiful and charm
Ing, there Is a bond of sympathy be-
tween us in our common indignation
and disgust over the follies of our re.
spective parents. l hope"-with a
feeling Of malicious satisfactlon-"t
hope and believe she will mako that
step father of hers rue the day in
which he spoiled her happinessl
wonder where she is now8 All, my
proud, beautiful Katel l wonder il it
& written in our destinies that we |
-.