South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-07-17

ulsefsIlnS chorus.
She has no heart at all, growied
Miss Malina.
told Charles how IL would be
when be would persist in marrying
that slip Of child, said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
What can you expect OF sep
mother : gloomily demanded Miss
Susanna.
Sure, an savin' your presence, la.
dies, put In Bridget, Who by .his time
succeeded in quieting the cbild's
cries: It's me humble opinion "a
Mrs. Constant spoils the little lady
intirely wild too much kindness.
Sure. wasn't she up with her half the
night last night wild ipecac an cam
Phorated iles Aud amt il her Is
hears missy's prayers livery blessed
night OF her life. aud tells her all the
fairy stories as ever grew, an pets her
like kittenf There amt one moth.
or In hundr, d. let alone stepmoth.
er, as loves a child like my missis
loves little Miss Dita.
And the grandmother and the two
maiden aunts went grimly away, say
ing to oneanother what q very pre-
suminy person that Bridget was, and
how CHARLES young wife hadn't dig
nifty enough to keep her servants in
their proper place.
But when Mrs. Constant returned
from her shopping expedition that af.
ternoon there was an evident Amos.
phere OK cons ernation about the
house. Doors and windows were
wide open; sympathetic neighbors
we're gathering about the thr eshold
Mrs. Cartwhistle. with her wig on
awry and her mourning veil all twist
ed TO one side, stood sobbing in the
middle OF the floor, with . prodigious
black bordered pocket handkerchief
pressed to her eyes; Miss Maliua
and Miss Susanna we're hurrying to
and fro, wildly wringing their hands
and Mr. Constant himself had just
sprung from a cab which had ratified
mp the eurbsLone as il drawn by f1y-
ing dragons.
Dear me- cried the young step,
mother. What can have happened I?
told you sol said Mrs. Carl.
whistle.
l always prophesied Ill said Miss
Malina.
forssav it from the very begin.
ming said Miss Susanna.
But what as the matter ? gasped
poor Mrs. Constant, Has anything
happened TOTO poor little Ditat
Shes drowned said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
In the great Persian jar said Miss
Susanna.
Filled it with water out of the bath.
tub and then crawled in herself, dear,
sweet inDocent sobbed Miss Mslina.
OIL dear Oh dear knsw some-
Thing would happen when you SO
heartless'y refused her innocent plea
to accompany you.
All this comes, Charles, croaked
Mrs. Cartwhis,le, from giving your
precious lamb a stepmo, her.
shall maintain to life's end, said
Miss Susanna, that it was all Mrs.
Constants fault.
Bat the poor young wife pushed
her way frantically through the con.
fusion.
Where is she she gaspcd. DitA
Where have they laid her?
We've hain't dared 10 tor oh her,
answered Miss MaliDa, with burst
of Mysteries! tears. But there's her
dear little blue shoe in a puddle OF
water On The carpet, and her lovely
golden hair floating on top! Oh.
dear-don't let Charley go near her !
Oh. dear TO think that she should
be drowned, aud no Que near 10 help
Der 1t all comes OF II stepmothers
neglectl
Mammal MsDmAl piped q little
voice at the self.ssme moment, and
Mrs. Constant felt a liny hand pull
ing ~ her dress, and turned TO behold
DnA held up in Bridget triumphant
arms.
Sure. ma'Am. found her fast asleep
on tue garnet floor, said Budget, Wild
her precious arm under he: head
An to think Of the thrick sho played
Us, wid the big doll drowned in the
cbanney jar, 40, it's yallY hair aostln'
atop, just for all the wurTeld, like
missy's ownl
Dolly dirty Dolly have bath !
cOmplacently proclaimed Miss Perdi-
Ia. And then, naturally enough,
Mrs. Constant tainted away in her
husbands arus.
When she came TO Der senses again,
the house was restored TO it's usual
stiffness and composurs and she was
lying upon q sofa, with her husband
At her side and little Dita playing on
the H1Or at no great distance. She
looked vaguely around.
Where 10 Mrs, CAuWhistle 2 said
she.
Gone, ssi1 Mr.. Constant. And
90 have halina and SusaDna-and
they will never come back 70 tits
house again. Il 10 quite true that
they are my lost wlfe's relatives, but
thai gives them no title 70 assail you
IS thew have done to-day. You have
been more than a mother 10 little Di-
70, aud the child's love besrs a mute
testimony TO this. Hereafter with
her, as well, dearest, a. With me,
your will shall DO law.
And 90 Dita's stepmolber con-