The state herald., 1890-01-10
OLIVES SIEP-MOTHER.

sANcAtscsASShys
"Humph!" said Miss Jane Barring
ton. "Peoplo didn't use to talk SO OF
step.mothers in my day."
"l,ut thon, you sec." retorted Olive,
with the air OF one who effectually
silences argument, there never was
exactly such step-mother BEFORE"
She's not ten years older than your
solf." said Miss Jane harrington.
'And that is the very reason that
sho sympathizes In all my interests and
pursuits SO heartily"
"She married your poor, dear pa for
homo und to avoid the necessity OF
going out rs a governess," uttered Miss
Jane Darlington with acerbity.
at is falsel" cried Olive. s'Shc
married him because she loved him. Z"
"Humphr' said Miss Jane Barring
ton. You're bewitched. see. You're
under the glamour. II ever woman was,
But you'll have disagreeable
awakening somo day, Miss Olive
Ogilvie; SEQ II you don't. Perhaps you
haven't noticed"
Noticed whatp" exclaimed Olive
with spirit, as the malicious spinster
paused n second.
''Oh. never mind" said Miss Jane
Darlington. flaming herself and roll
ing up her eyes. "I'm not ono to make
mischief. II you haven't perceived 1t
~
Perceived whnt?" demanded Miss
Ogilvie. impntiently. "Oh. dear, how
! do hate those mysterious hints and
dark inuendoes! II you've got any,
thing to say, Miss harrington, do say
1t out and have done with it. II not,
I'll 30 down to the river and SEQ how
the children are getting on with their
stone grotto.
Thus driven to the wall. Miss Jane
Darlington said her say. with relish
in tho communication which can scarce
ly be described
''As ! remarked before" said Miss
Darlington, 81 am the last one to pro-
mulsate idle reports; but it is quite
plain TO all disintcrcsted eyes that your
young step mother the chm ling wild
ow. whose deep weeds arc SO exceed
ingly bocoming-'
"Do 60 on" cried Olive, in an agony
of suspense.
at is quito the gossip OF tho place.
went on the backbiter. "that Mrs.
Hayden Ogilvlc is carrying on lively
Irritation with Albert Stanlield."
with Albert Staniicld! Impossible!,'
cried Olive incredulously.
Just what / should have said my
SELF" said Miss Jane Darlington,
piously. iii | hadn't been an eye-wit-
ness to all her going-on with her poor,
dear, first husband not yet cold on his
grave. and"
'Be silent" cried Olive, springing
to her feet so suddenly that Miss Jane
harrington started backward and
iumblcd with moro precipitation than
grace over square ottoman. "lIow
darc you utter such slanderons false
hoods? And to me, of all o.her per-
sons in the world, who owes every
thing TO her loving c1rc, her more
than maternal kindness, / dcspise
myself for standing here to listen TO
itw
And she swept away with royal
face OF princess her cheeks dycd
carmiuc and her eyes clittering like
wraihful stars.
Straight us an arrow she went TO the
suit OF apartments occupied jointly by
herself and hcr young step-mother at
tho Crown hotel, n summer resort OF
some celebrity among tho mountains
that wall in the blue waters OF the Cum
bcrland lake.
The door was open. the soft August
breeze blow the muslin window drap-
cries to and fro, and n piece OF en-
broidcry lay on the table with tho
needle yet sticking in It's folds and tho
thimble beside II. All the tokens OF n
recent presence were there. but tho
room was empty.
"She has taken her book down to tho
little woodland SPRING" said Olive 10
herself; and she ran down tho cool So
cluded path. whero inlcrminglcd sun
shine and shadow made moving
checkcr-work Mt hcr feet, calling;
Mamma! where are you. mamma?"
us she went.
But no answer came. Tho woodland
spring bubblcd out In cool drops over
the ferns that shadowcd It's pool. tho
birds sang overhead. and that was all.
"Oh. dcarw said Olive to herself.
"wherc can she BOP"
She wandered along farther down
the glen. swinging her hat by its
strings MS she walked. her footsteps
falling noisclcssly on the velvet turf.
until suddenly she paused. stricken TO
the heart MS II barbcd arrow had
pierced her quivcrlng flesh.
For. hidden away by the leafy covert
of trcmulous birchos and white pines.
upon tho moss-covercd trunk OF
fallen irco sat Mrs. ogilvio. In her docp
mourning robes, her face turned visit
fully upward. while In nm attitude ef
tho intcnscst devotion Albert STAN
field leaned over her.
Olive ogilvic did not moan to listen;
thc WINS mn honorable girl. with keen
sense OF dclicacy; but nil voliiion
seemed gone from her nj tho moment
She leaned. palo aud trembling. up
against tree, and could not but hear
tho words spoken within n stones
throw OF her.
"Bcllcve me. Albert, appreciate
the treasure OF your love" said Mrs.
Ogilvic. softly; "but do not know
whether l nm Justified In accepting