The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1897-12-23
MEETING STEPPAPA.

We'll" exclaimed Mile, ''this is
quite the most horrid thing mamma
could have doneI'
Fraulein Haussmann of Hanover had
a large garden behind her finishing SEM
mary for young ladies, and it was up
and down this garden that Mile War,
wick was strolling, arm in arm fashion,
with her sworn chum, Ethel Bidwell,
another English pupil
Ethel waited for further calculation.
She has gone and married againP
almost shrieked Mile
well, there's no very great harm in
that, dear, returned Miss Bidwell.
In fact, it will be rather nice for you. !"
But a stepfatherl Oh, it was too
bad of mammal reiterated Mile.
81 am not surprised that she has
married again, said Ethel "When she
came to see you in the winter, she
struck me as being almost as young
looking as yourself Indeed am sur
| prlsed at her remaining widow for ten
years.
Mile went on reading the letter.
Worse and worse,'' was her next
piece of information. His name is
Macintosh, and he's Scotch Then he'll
have red whiskers and a strong accent.
All Scotchmen do, don't they? They
were married very quietly in Edin-
burgh, without telling any of their
| friends ! am to join them at Paris and
go on with them to Switzerland and
have jolly time. Fancy going on
| hon fTiyY
er!''
"Where are you to join them?' asked
Ethel
Next Thursday at the Hotel St
Moscow-that's where so many English
people go l suppose Mr. Macintosh
can't talk French. Oh, dear, it's alto
gether too bad of mammal
There was no consoling poor Mile,
and when her friend saw her off to
Paris on the following Thursday Miss
Warwick still declined to be comforfed.
Please take me up to Mrs Maoin-
tosh's rooms, said Mile when she
arrived at the Hotel St. Moscow.
The garcon, a bold son of Peckham,
scratched his head
Missis Macintosh, did you say,
miss?''
Eyes, Mrs. Macintosh. l and her
daughter. "
well, said the waiter, "I'm sorry
to ave to inform you, miss, that there
ain t no Missis Macintosh ERE. There's
Mister Macintosh, what arrived. about
two hours ago Probably it's i'm you
Want?'
AS she entered the sitting room Mil
lie stopped dead and would possibly
have retreated had not the bold. bad
man from Peckham hastily closed the
door and retired, for, sitting by the
window. perusing paper, was young
gentleman of not less than 30 and not
more than rs years Of age, irreproach-
ably CARRIED, dark, clean shaven and
not very bad looking.
II shall be polite, sometimes cordial"
| Mile had concluded, after debating
the matter with herself for macy miles,
but on no account affectionate ! shall
thus let him know that while do not
wish to cause any unpleasantness, II
shall go my own way and he will go
his"
However. Miles plan of campaign
collapsed like bubble
When Mr.. Macintosh rose from his
chair, Mile collected herself with an
effort, and, advancing, held out little
gloved paw.
How do you do, Mr.. Maciasosh?'
she said.
Thank you, he replied, after mo-
ment's hesitation. II am very we'll. .
Then, as Mile continued standing. he
added, handing her a chair, won't
you sit down?'
Mile seated herself
Err expected to find mamma
here, said the young lady, after an
awkward silence of quite a minutes
duration
"Oh, | see. replied Mr., Macintosh
Then an appalling idea flashed
through her brain Her mother and
Mr. Macintosh had discovered their
mistake ali lady In one short week
they had fallen out. They even trav-
eled separately Doubtless he had mar
ried her for her money and her mother
had discovered this
Il had better not say too much about
mamma until | know exactly how the
land lies, {" Mile decided 81 may only
After long and awkward pause, Mr.
Macintosh suggested that perhaps she
might like to look at the English illus
trated papers while she was voting
II have bundle Of them in my carry
all, >" he said. I'm get them for you.
While he was absent Mile reviewed
the situation again.
hone he won't be as severely polite |
as this always, she thought ut ev-
ident that shall have to break the ice.
| will let him see that, however he may
have fallen out with poor mamma, / in
tend to be friendly
During tea Mile told him numerous
anecdotes about her life at Fraulein |
Haussmann' after which he retaliated |
in the gayest fashion with stories of |
Oxford varsity. Thus they passed the |
time away until the first t2nner gong |
sounded
This reminded Mile of the fight of
hours
II had forgotten all about mamma |
When will she be here?' she exclaimed |
Possibly she is blocked on the Iine,"
murmured Mr. Macintosh. .'At any |
rate, you had better dine here while |
you wait for her
But Mr.. Macintosh's careless refer
ence to her mother Jared on her and |
damped her spirits. Things were evil
IDENTIFY very bad indeed. His indifference
to his wife's whereabouts was positive
~ shameful