Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-05-09
A JUST PUNISHMENT.
A. D. STARK.

Eleven o'clock on starlight night in
winter, we find Mrs. Stanhope seated
alone In her cosy parlor anxiously watt
ing the coming of her daughter, Alice,
she having accompanied the wealthy
Charles Cummings to the grand opera.
al hope Charles proposes tonight" she
unused, "this uncertainty makes me
nervous. can never rest contented
until her future is settled, and then /
may with safety introduce Irma to
society"
At this iuncture her musings were in
terrupted by the sound of voices and
the next moment the door swung open
and Alice, flushed and exultant, entered.
"What did Charles find to talk about
tonight" eagerly questioned Mrs. Stan
hope.
"Indeed, mamma, could not repeat it
ALL" answered Alice. "Nothing very
interesting, of course. But there, /
know what you would ask, and, like
dutiful daughter, will relieve your anx-
iety. He did not ask me to marry him,
but yeu know the old saying when
there Is love In the heart there is light
in the eyes' and if ever | saw light in
mans eyes, l saw it in Charles Cum
ings' to night. And mamma, only think,
he asked permission to call in the
morning. Says he must have a few
minutes conversation with you. Now
what could he have in view but matri-
monyl"
II am 50 glad asepIied Mrs Ssanhope,
"fOr have been thinking tonight, that
Trina will be seventeen next month,
and l Wilt have to bring her out in
society, then, or people will talk, and
perhaps ask disagreeable questions"
At this, the daughters eyes flashed
and her sallow cheeks turned red. Her
whole nature seemed changed, and she
looked more like glazing tigress than
the smiling Alice of n moment ago, as
she Kissed:
~ tell you she shall not inter
fere in any chance of getting a rich hus-
band, / should never forgive her If
she did and there is no knowing " hat l
might be tempted to do. have often
thought 1t might have been best had you
sent her with Minnie to Hunt James,"
"Perhaps II would" replied Mrs. Stan.
hope, "but you know your pal is deter
mined to keep Irma until she marres
or wishes to leave. And Alice, | half
believe your father suspects that had
something to do with Minnies going
away She had Intended making her
home with us as he has always wanted
her to, therefore it would seem very
strange her leaving us SO abruptly, And,
Alice, she added thoughtfully, per
haps II was only fancied injury after
Iall You are SO quick tempered and I'M
Reasonable, at times"
"Quick temperedl unreasonable! In
deed, mamma, of whom do inherit nv
faults, If 1t is not from my mamma. But /
know it was not fancy. Did she not
1OihC AilO lhC paIlOii uHlllNllCuB Anen |
Gerald Lanning was calling on me, and
play and sing for fully an hour, as If |
needed her help when entertaining my
friends. Besides, am sure there was
reason enough that she should seek an.
other home. l, for one, find 1t hard
enough to keep up respectable appear
ance on our slender income, without
caring for all our poor relations But
what use talking about that Charles is
coming in the morning to ask for my
hand in marriage, SO If you will contriye
to keep Irma out of my way until then,
all will be well. would not have
Charles see her angel face and innocent
ways until our engagements settled, for
have heard him pirate of the beauty of
Innocence, and even l. her bitterest enc.
my, must admit that she is more loyable
than |. But Charles thinks me little
lower than the angels for | always wear
my sweetest smiles for him. Not that I
care Sig for Charles I only strive 10
please him that may become mistress
of his money II Gerald Lannng had
Charles Cummings wealth would mar
ry him tomorrow, if he asked me to.
For mamma" she added, her whole