Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-12-28

linen 90 Dcl1eVo IN MIN, dear, en-
treated Olive, land try to bring Aaron
into a brighter mood. All, if we had
him here we would soon dispel his
doubts and fearsI What gloomy crea-
ture a man is when he is away from
woman's influence"
Jane smiled, somewhat comforted,
and the sweet evening wind kissed the
two faces, as it came blowing freshly
across the downs. The air seemed full
of the breath of wild flowers; there
were hope and peace and quiet glad
ness in this remote world of low hills
and green meadows and violets. The
girls fingered at the gate few mo-
ments longer, and then went indoors to
their household work.
Next day Olive contrived to have a
talk with her mother, and ask her
questions about Uncle Wake and his
business. But Mrs. Challock had not
much to tell.
''He was always kind-hearted man."
she said, land a good husband to my
poor sister. Your aunt Ruth died young.
He loved her very much; almost won
der that he married again, and yet
oughtn't to wonder, seeing that I mar
ried second time, although 1 loved
widowers allow ourselves to be talked
over, even when our hearts are buried
in the grave of our first love. Yes, Mr..
Wake is good man, Olive"
''Has he any children?" Olive asked.
''The second wife had one daughter.
| He wrote and told me of the birth. 1
never heard of any other children"
Mrs. Challock replied.
|
that he would let me live in his house if
| earned my own bread?" Olive said,
earnestly. May I write to him?"
'You may WRITE" Mrs. Challock an
swered, after a pause. But I did not
want to part with you till you were
married, tell him that. And oh! Olive,
don't say much about your stepfather!
He might be a worse man than he is,
you know; but it troubles me sorely
that he doesn't take to you. I've been
an unfortunate woman, Olive-very I'M
fortunate"
eyes, mother; you were very unfor-
tunate in losing my father" Olive said,
quietly.
Mrs. Challock began to cry in noise
less fashion. Now and then she paid
this tribute of silent tears to the de-
spiritless way, for having removed him.
She always spoke of herself as a wom-
an who had been badly used by the
powers above, and went SO far as to say
that an angelic guard ought to have
been specially provided for defense
less widow. When her mother was in
this mood Olive was apt to betray lit
tie impatience. AS Mrs. Challock dried
her tears she began to bewa1 her fate
in the usual strain, and the girl spoke
out at last:
''There is Mrs. Hooper, mother" she
said, ''she was left widow, and she
has never married again, and yet she
was no better defended than you
were"
ooh! Olive" moaned Mrs. Challock,
shaking her head, "she was far better
defended than 1 was. Not by angel
e guards, perhaps, but by plain face;
and woman can have no safer protec-
ton than that"
Olive looked, half pityingly, at the
sweet, faded face by her side, and felt
!. that there was some truth in those
words. She knew that she herself had
more beauty than her mother had ever
possessed; Mrs. Challock had often told
her so, but she thought, with girls
happy confidence, that her defense was
sure and strong. Michael's love for he1
and her love for him-this would be her
!, shield and bucller. She put her arm
, round her mothers shoulders, and
spoke in caressing tone:
'"Then you will let me write to Uncle
!, Wake?" she said. Don't fret, little
mother; Lucy says it will be best fol-
me to know something of London be
. fore go to live there as Michaels wife
1t would be trying for him to have tx
i teach me everything"
: "Your father never thought it tria,
4 to teach me-" sighed Mrs. Challoclz, he1
!; head still running on the past; ''bu