The state herald., 1890-04-18
OLIVES sTEP-MOTHER.

''She is the sweetest, dearest crca-
turc in the world!" said Olive Ogilvic,
enthusiastically.
"Humph!n said Miss Jane Darlington.
People didn't use to talk so of step
mothers in my day."
But then, YOU scc," retorted Olive,
with the air of one who cifcctually si-
lcnccs argument, there never was cx-
actly such stcp-mother before
She's not ten years older than your
SELF said Miss Jane harrington.
And that is the very reason that size
sympathizcs IN all my interests md
pursuits so heartily"
"She married your poor, dear pa for
b home and to avoid the necessity of
going. out as II govcrness, uttered
Miss Jane Darlington with acerbity.
ut is false!' cried Olive. "She mar
ried him because she loved him.
"Humph!' said Miss Jane Barring
ton. You're bewtchcd, see. You're
under the glamour, II ever woman was.
But you'll have II disagrccablc awaken
ing some day, Miss Ogilvic; see If You
don't. Perhaps You haven't noticed
Noticed what2n exclaimed Olive
with spirit, as the malicious spinstcr
paused n second.
"Oh, never mind" said Miss Jane
Darlington, tanning herself aud rolling
up her eyes. "Tm not one to make
mischief. If you haven't perceived it
-
Perceived what?" demanded Miss
Oglvie, impatiently. "Oh, dear, how
do hate these mysterious hints and
dark innucndoes! If you've got any
thing to say. Miss Darlington, do say
il out and have done with ii. If not,
I'll 20 down to the river and see how
the children are getting on with their
stone grotto,
Thus driven TO the wall. Miss Jane
Darlington said her say. with relish
in the communication which can scarce-
ly be dccribcd.
'As ! remarked before" said Miss
Darlington, ii am the last one to
promulgatc idle reports; but it is quite
plain TO all disintcrcstcd eyes that your
young step-,nothcr. the charming
widow. whose deep weeds arc so ex-
ceedingly bect ming"
DO go onr' cried Olive. in agony Of
suspense.
''lt is quite the gossip Of the place."
went on the backbitcr, "that Mrs, Hay.
den Ogilvie Is scarrying OH lively flirta.
tion with Albert Staniield.r
with Albert Slanlieldl Impossible!'
cried OLIVE incrdulously.
"Just what should have said my
self said Miss Jane Darlington. pious-
ly, "if had not been an eyewitness
10 all her goiugs-on with her poor. first
husband not yet cold in his grave. aud
-"
BE SILENT" cried Olive. sprnging
TO her feet so suddenly that Miss Jane
harrington started backward and tiim-
blcd with more precipitation than grace
over n square ottoman. ''Ilow dare
You utter such slandcrous falscloods?
and 10 me. of all other persons in the
world, who owe everything TO her low
Ing care. her more than maternal kind
ness! | dcspisc myself for standing
here TO listen 10 iir'
And she swept away with the royal
face of princess. her checks dyed ear
mine aud her eyes glitlcring like
wrathful stars.
Straight n an arrow she went TO the
suite Of apartments occupied jointly by
herself aud her Young stcp-mothcr at
the Crown hotel summer resort OF
some celebrity among the mountains
tina, wall IN the blue waters of Cum
bcrland lakct
The door was open, the soft August
breeze blew the muslin window dra-
perics TO and fro. aud n piece OF en-
broldcry lay on the table with the nee
die yet sticking Ia its folds and the
ihimble beside II. All the tokens Of
recent presence were there, but the
room was empty.
''She has taken her book down 10 the
little woodland SPRING" said Olive to
herself; and she ran down the cool, Sc
ciudcd path, where intcrminglcd sun
shine aud shadow made moving
chcckcr-work Mt her feet, calling.
mamma! where nrc you mnmma?' as
she went.
But no answer came. The wood
land spring bubblcd out in cool drops
over the ferns that shadowcd its pool,
the birds sang overhead. and that was
all.
"Ol. dcar." said Olive to hcrsei.. ~
"whcrc can she bc?n
She wandered along farther down
the glen. swinging her hat by It's strings
as she walked, her footsteps falling
noisclcssly on the velvet turf, until sud-
ly she paused, stricken to the heart as II
y barbcd arrow had pierced her quiycr-
iug flesh.
For, hidden away by the lcafy covert
Of trcmulous birclics and white pines,
upon tho moss-covcrcd trunk Of fall
en- ircc sat Mrs. Ogilyic. In her deep
mourning robes. her face turned wis,-
iuiiy upward, wnilc IN an attitude OF
the intcnscst devotion Albert S,aniield
leaned over her.
Olive ogilvio did not mean TO listen;
she was an honorable girl, with n keen
sense OF dclicncy; but all yoliiion
seemed gone from her at the moment.
She leaned, pale and trembling. up
against tree, and could not but hear
the words spoken within u stones
throw Of her.
believe me. Albert, J appreciate
Ogilylc, softly; ''but do not know
whcihcr am Justified In accepting
what yon offer"
Dear Mrs. Ogilvio-"
"No-stop'n said the widow, rcso-
luicly moiionlng him away rs he would
have drawn nearer to her. Are YOU
not prcmniurc2 Have you reflected
how very, very brief period Of lime
has elapsed since Mr.. Ogilvic was laid
IN lis ginyoP'