Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-14

How I was enjoying my holidays? Oh,
yes, certainly. When had Margaret
seen her? Humph! That very morning
She had been away for-ahem-a
change, but had now returned and
would be pleased to see me again, no
doubt.
Margaret was never at any time a
particularly loquacious person, and
these few items were all could extract
from her during our ride in a rickety
cab from London bridge to the Hamp-
stead road. And here on our arrival at
my fathers door a genuine surprise
awaited me. Could it be possible? Was
this coquettish looking maESion, bright
and shining from top to bottom in all
the glory of cream colored paint-was
this the diDgy old house where l was
born and had spent all my life? l look
ed at Margaret in mute amazement.
All, yes, the doctor had thought it a
good time to have the place tidied up a
bit. Yes, to be sure 1t had been paint
ed and repaired while l was away.
The smell of the new paint was all
gone now, and she didn't think / should
notice anything disagreeable.
And when Dick, the surgery boy,
opened the door and greeted me with a
broad but silent grin-Dick, on whose
stolid features had never seen before
the faintest vestige of smile-my sur
prises had only just commenced. Every
thing seemed to be spick span new
new carpets, new furniture, new paper
hangings, and, most wonderful Of all,
flowers in the vases on the drawing
room mantelpiece and on the dining
room table. When ! reached my own
little room, once so dull and cheerless,
I found that during my absence it had
not been forgotten in the general trans
formation scene. 1t was ten times
brighter, lighter and prettier altogether,
with such beautiful blue tinted paper
on the walls, snow white curtains at
the window, and just fitting into the
niche near the fireplace the very identi-
cal walnut bookcase for which i had
longed, filled with the books l had
dreamed of possessing when l grew up
and became millionaire. 1t all looked
as if some benefcent fairy had accom-
plished these wonders by stamping her
tiny foot and waving her magic wand
around her head as she ordered it all
done instantly.
Margaret, who had left me for mo-
ment in rapturous contemplation Of the
good fairy's work, now returned and
recalled me back to earth by announc
-, Lol
never before heard her assume, that the
doctor desired to speak to me in the
library A little dashed by Margaret's
serious, not to say sepulchral, delivery of
my fathers message, obeyed the pa
rental summons, my heart filled with
vague apprehensions. But glance at
his kind face. now beaming with happi
ness, at once proved to me that my fears
were without foundation. He took both
my hands in his, kissed me affection
ately and expressed his pleasure at see
ing me looking SO greatly improved in
health.
TITS the sea air, my boy, he said,
entirely the sea air. 1t beats all the
physic in the world-don' t forget that. "
After moments pause he added: "Of
course, Harry, you have noticed the
changes which have taken place while
you were away? Well, there has been
one change which you have not yet
seen, and want you to hear of it first
from me- During your absence l have
brought home a second mother for you
Hereafter there will be two of us to love
and watch over you.
AS these words fell from my fathers
lips cold shiver ran through me, and
my heart seemed to cease beating, as
though suddenly paralyzed. My knees
shook under me, and it was only by an
immense effort that prevented myself
from falling to the floor. Without ap-
pearing to notice the effect his terrible
disclosure had produced upon me, my
father gravely resumed:
cat your age my dear Harry, it is
well that child should enjoy the ad-
vantage of a mothers care and affec-
ton, and I have every reason to hope,
he added, with an encouraging smile,
'tthat you and your new mamma will
be the best Of friends -
A mortal pallor overspread my face,
and listened with quivering lips. offer.
ing no syllable in reply. For moment
my father seemed to fade from my sight.
and in his place rose the hateful vision
of Ginger, tauntingly repeating the
words: "Ha, told you SO! You see it
was the trnth. You've got stepmoth-
er, and she will beat you. Ha, ha, ha!
HurrahP'
My fathers voice reused me once
more to myself.
"Well, Harry" he asked, ''have you
nothing to say? Surely you are anxious
to see your new mother and kiss herr"
muttered some unintelligible an
swer, but the words seemed to stick in
my throat Taking me by the hand, my
father led the way to the little sitting
room where as child I had learned
the alphabet at my own mothers knee.
Instinctively as the door opened l
shrank back, expecting to see myself in
the presence of a tall, bony woman OF
forbidding aspect and harsh voice, whose
smile of welcome would remind me of
the hyena's affable greeting. I felt even
before I saw her that 1 hated her with
all the intensity born of fear and con-
sternation But wouldn't let her see
that trembled in her loathsome pres
ence. No, I would be brave. would
defy her to-
"My love-" said my father to the
tall, bony woman of forbidding asiSct
whom 7 had not yet seen, ''here is Har-
ry."
''My darling" murmured a soft voice.
looked up hastily. 1t was my god
mother. With one bound l was in her
arms, clasped to her loving heart.
my own dear, dear boy! My sonP'
she said, covering my face with kisses.
My son! All at once the light broke
in upon me- All, yes, it was indeed
she, my adored godmother, who was
now to be always what she had long
been-my second mother. I returned
her caresses with a heart overfiowing
with love and joy. My father looked on
silently, smiling approval.
''You see, dear, " said my godmother,
gently stroking my hair, 81 told you
the truth when I promised you that
morning you should never, never have
a stepmother. james Mortimer in
English Illustrated Magazine.
Ia This Why Dr. Graves Killed Himself?