The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-11-27


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 / had
longed, filed with the books l had
dreamed Of possessing when / grew up
and became a 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 announo-
ing in solemn tone, such as l had
never before heard her assume, that the
, doctor desired to speak to me in the
library A little dashed by Margaret
serious, not to say sepulchral, delivery Of
my fathers message, l obeyed the pa
rental summons, my heart filed 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 Sec
ing me looking SO greatly improved in
health.
cts the sea air. my boy, he said,
entirely the sea air. 1t beats all the
physic in the world-don t forget that. I"
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 / 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 a 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
we'll that child should enjoy the adj
vantage of a mothers care and affec-
ton, and l have every reason to hope,
he added, with an encouraging smile,
''that 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 a 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 sol You see 1t
was the truth. You've got stepmoth-
or, and she will beat you. Ha, ha, hal
HurrahI"
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 her?''
/ 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 a child / had learned
the alphabet at my own mothers knee
Instinctively as the door opened /
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. felt even
before l saw her that 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, would be brave. would
defy her to-
my love-" said my father to the
tall, bony woman of forbidding aspect
whom / 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, olasped to her loving heart.
my own dear, dear boyl My sonp'
she said, covering my face with kisses.
My sonl 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 overlooking
with love and Joy. Ny father looked ON
silently, smiling approval.
"You see, dear, said my godmother,
gently stroking my hair, 81 told you
the truth when promised you that
morning you should never, never have
a stepmother james Mortimer In
English Illustrated Magazine.
Is This why DIR. Graves Killed HIMSELF
James Mcfarland, assistant general