Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-03-27

/
stepmother alone-it's great rawboned
girl from boarding school, who's coming
| to spoil all our fun. I do think father
must have taken leave of his senses"
All of sudden the door opened, and
a quiet voice, which they we'll knew,
spoke:
"Oh, here you are, young folks!
This is your new mother. Come and
kiss herm
Tom sullenly extended his hand.
| Rita turned a cold cheek to Mrs. Ave
nant's caress Little Juliet stood stolid,
and never returned her stepmother's
gentle kiss.
"They will be more accustomed to
ing the rising cloud upon her husbands
| brow.
1t was not until the next morning that
she spoke conidentially to her elder
stepdaughter.
''There is a considerable difference
between your age and Juliet's, Rita"
said she. Would you not like COM
panion nearer your yearsl Ny little
/ Mamie is twelvew
Rita tossed her naughty head.
"Thank you!' she said; ''but don't
need any more new company. There's
| quite enough III the house as it is"
Fanny shrank as if an asp had stung
| her.
"Then," said she, "Nannie shall not
come"
Rita described the scene to her
brother, as they skated together on the
pond.
''I've scored one point against the
usurper," said she.
"Good for you'll" said Tom. "Did you
see the new upright piano brought to the
house this morning9 There's plenty of
money to buy folderols for Mrs. Avenant,
but when I asked father for a parlor
organ, he said he couldn't afford it. Oh,
I'm of no consequence in the world!'
Juliet was the most impracticable Of
the three She had such a cold she
could scarcely speak, but when Mrs.
| Avenant brought her cup of f1axseed and
| lemon, after she was tucked up in her
crib, the stubborn child refused to drink
| it.
81 don't want it," said she, hoarsely.
"But, darling, it will do your cold so
much goodw
"No, it WON'T" whined Juliet. 81
won't touch it! Mabel Duer read a
story-book once, where the wicked step
mother poisoned the poor little girl. Go
away! I don't want you"
Fanny stood silent for moment. Her
lip quivered. The quick tears started to
her eyes.
II hope, dear, that you will under
| stand me better one of these days." said
she. as she quietly left the room.
Chow shall I ever win the love of these
prejudiced young creatures?' she asked
herself. ''For Richards sake, I must
and will! Nor shall ever complain to
him of their caprices and vagaries. Oh,
no it would be too cruel for me to con.
stitute myself bone of contention be-
tween him and his dead wife's chill
dren."
And SO, when Richard Avenant
pressed the question as to Mamie Dal-
toms arrival at the manor house, she put
him off with some excuse as to the ne
cessity of finishing a certain course of
music lessons before leaving school.
She had scarcely been more than a
week in her new home when business
called Mr.. Avenant suddenly to the
South.
81 am sorry to leave you SO soon,
Fam" he said, tenderly. "Do you think
you car manage without me? I shall
speak pretty plainly to Tom and Rita.
don't approve of their manner toward
you; and as for Juliet, she shall submit
herself to you, or I'll know the reason
why"
sDon't Richard!" coaxed Fanny.
"Use no coercion-only let me have my
own way. You will see. I am sure
they will love me in time"
81 don't see how they can help it, the
young rebels!" said Avenant. 81 dare
say the servants have been filing their
heads with nonsense"
"Did you see2" cried wra thful Rita.
"Papa kissed the usurper when he went
away; but when it came to our turn, it
was only 'Good-by, children! Be sure
you mind mammal"
Mamma, indeed!" growled Tom.
"Well, if she'll let me alone that's all I
ask!"
"And t. said pert little Juliet, ''shall
do as I please now! She amt my mann
ma, and I won't mind her!"
"What is she doing in the parior?"
said Rita. ''Meddling and making and
changing all the furniture around. Well,
L declared
She bounced into the parlor, her lips