The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-02
THE STEPMOTHER.

sist on marrying widower with
childr'
"But l loved him." said the little
bride wistfully.
.'Stuff and nonsenser' said Aunt Ara
bella. The woman never lived who
could get along with another woman's
child.'
well, mean to try" said Mrs.
Constant. And think / should man.
age splendidfy if only the first Mrs.
Constants old-maid sisters would keep
away. and Mr.. Constants mother-in-
law by his first wife wouldn't persist
in coming here every day to see if
Dita has enough fannels on. and eats
her quantum of oatmeal. and says her
catechism regularly"
Tell Bridget not to let them in, +"
suggested Aunt Arabella.
'And make mischief between John
and his first wife's relationsi" said Mrs.
Constant. ''Oh, | couldn't do that!
Just then the door flew open, and
little Dita herself trotted in. golden
tressed, pink-cheeked fairy of three
years old. And close beside her
stalked her maternal grandmother,
Mrs. Cartwhistle, with the two Misses
Cartwhistle following in the rear.
II am surprised, Mary" said the
tep-mother-in-law. Ito hear from
Bridget that Perdita is allowed to wear
her best white frock every dayr'
She looks so pretty in it." said Mrs.
Constant, pleadingly. And she will
soon outgrow it."
1T is not the way my girls were
brought up said Mrs. Cartwhistle.
I've just been counting over her
dresses, a dozen sashes. eighteen
ruffied and embroidered skirts"
"A child like that needs a great
many changes said Mrs. Constant.
s.And that big doll of hers,'' added
Miss Susanna Cartwhistle. with the
haxen hair and the eyes that open and
shut. declare it's positive idolatry--
that's what it is"
Mrs. Constant WINGED.
But, indeed, Susanna said she,
II didn't buy the doll! 1t was gift
from her god-mamma to Dita."
II think it ought to be sold for the
benefit of the heathen," Miss Malina
said.
'.And l was shocked to see Bridget
giving her jam-yes. raspberry jam
upon her bread and butter. for dinner"
added the old lady.
''It's very plain" apologized the
young stepmother. II made it my
self, last summer. And Dita is so fond
of it."
me yike waddery dam." solemnly
enunciated this small bone of conten-
ton, who had been looking gravely
from one to another of the speakers.
rs child's digestion of no conse-
quencePn demanded Mrs. Cartwhistle.
'tAre the rules of hygiene to be set
entirely at defance?" Miss Malina
questioned.
THE seeds of disease to be implant-
ed even at this early age?" added Miss
Susanna.
But her Aunt Arabella rose up,
bustling and indignant, in her nieces
defence.
ut strikes me- ladies' said she.
.'that we are all of US meddling with
what is none of our business. My
niece. Mary. as the wife of Charles
Constant and stepmother of this little
child. is doubtless a better Judge of
these matters than We pretend to be.
Mary. if you are going out shopping
with me, it's high time you put on your
bonnet"
The bride looked timidly around.
IF Mrs. Cartwhistle, and Malina.
duu OuSduud Will OACuSO Luc, SdIl sic,
doubtfully.
..Oh. we are of no consequence, ="
said Miss Malina, with a toss of the
head.
pray don't remain at home on our
account" said Miss Susanna.
I'VE are just going to take leave
ourselves" said Mrs. Cartwhistle,
sourly.
ME do. too. mamma" coaxed little
Dita. seizing hold of the skirts of Mrs.
Constants dress. '.Me do with co."
No. darling. no." said Mrs. Con-
slant. ringing the bell for Bridget
You are too little.n
Exercise is good for the child" in
terposed grandmamma Cartwhistle.
'sEttertise dood for l." This was
Dita's mite.
'.And you know You were croupy
last night" added Mrs. Constant
tenderly.
II never could find it in my heart to
leave child that wasn't WE'LL" croaked
Malina.
But added Susanna, "a stepmothel
knows nothing of the sensations Ehat
agitate true maternal heart"
Aud the bride, fairly driven to the
last extremity of patience, took an
abrupt departure, leaving the small
Dita shrieking in the arms of Bridget
while her grandmother and maiden
aunts stood round. sort of commiser'
ating chorus.
s.She has no heart at allr' growled
Miss Malina.
II told Charles how it would be when
he would persist in marrying that slip
of child" said Mrs. Cartwhistle.
What can one expect of step
mother?" gloomily demanded Miss
Susanna.
And the grandmother and the two
maiden aunts went grimly away.
But when Mrs. Constant returned
from her shopping expedition, there
was an evident atmosphere OF conster.
nation about the house.
Mrs. Cartwhistle stood sobbing il
the middle of the floor, with pocket
handkerchief pressed to her eyes; Mis-!
Malina and Miss Susanna were hurry
ing to and fro, wildly wringing theil
hands; and Mr.. Constant himself hat
just arrived in a cab.
"Dear mel" cried the young step
mother, "What can have happened?"
81 told you so!' said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
Il always prophesied itr' said Mis-
Malina.
81 foresaw it from the very begin
ing!'' said Miss Susanna.
but what is the matter?" gaspet
Mrs. Constant. Has anything hap
pened TOTO dear little DtaP"
She's drowned!' said Mrs. Cart
whistle.
''In the great Persian jarI' said Sus
anna.
FILLED it with water out of the bath
tub, and then crawled in herself. dear,
sweet Innocent" sobbed Miss Malina
"Oh, dear, Oh, dear! | knew some
thing would happen when you so heart
lessly refused her innocent plea to ac
company you."
But the poor young wife pushed
her way frantically through the con
fusion.
''Where is she?" she gasped. "Dits
Where have they laid her?"
"We-we hain't dared to touch her.