The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-11-02
MEETING STEPPAPA.

Well" exclaimed Mile, "this il
quite the most horrid thing mamma
could have doneI'
Fraulein Haussmann of Hanover had
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 againr'
almost Alrieked Mile
well, there's no very great harm in
that, dear, returned Miss Bidwell.
In fact, it will be rather nice for you. .
But stepfatherl Oh, it was toe
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
prised 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 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 a
honeymoon trip with ones own moth
erp'
"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 mammar'
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 comforted
please take me up to Mrs Macin-
tosh's rooms, +" said Mile when she
arrived at the Hotel st. Moscow.
The garcon, bold son of Peckham,
scratched his head.
"Missis Macintosh, did you say.
miss?''
"Yes, Mrs. Macintosh. I am her
daughter.
WELL" said the waiter, ''I'm sorry
to ave to inform you, miss, that there
amt 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 % 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 many miles,
but on no account affectionate. l shall
thus let him know that; while do not
wish to cause any unpleasantness,
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.. Macintosh?''
she said
Thank you," be replied, after mo.
ment's hesitation, II am very well. I"
Then, as Mile continued standing, he
added, handing her chair, Won't
you sit DOWN.
Mile seated herself.
"Er-I expected to find mamma
here, said the young lady, after an
awkward silence of quite minute 8
duration.
ooh, l see, F." replied Mr. Macintosh
Then an appalling idea flashed
through her brain. Her mother and
Mr.. Macintosh had discovered their
mistake already 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.
81 had better not say too much about
mamma until l know exactly how the
land lies, " Mile decided. II may only
Eggravate their differences. .
After long and awkward pause, Mr..
Macintosh suggested that perhaps she
might like TO look at the English illus
trated papers while she was waiting.
"I have bundle of them in my carry
all, =" he said. "I'll get them for you. .
While he was absent Mile reviewed
the situation again.
II hope ne won't be as severely polite
as this always, she thought. "It's ev-
ident that l shall have to break the ice
1 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 s, after which he retaliated
in the gayest fashion with stories of
Oxford varsity. Thus they passed the
time away until the first dinner gong
sounded.
This reminded Mile of the flight of
hours.
II had forgotten all about mamma.
When will she be here?" she exclaimed.
Possibly she is blocked on the line,
murmured Mr. Macintosh cat any
rate, you had better dine here while
you wait for her"
But Mr. Macintosh's careless refer
ence tc 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.
During dinner, therefore, she was
quieter, so Mr. Macintosh had to do the
lions share of the talking. And so we'll
did he perform his task that Mile had
to confess that her steppapa was very
charming young man and that it was a
thousand pities he could not get on with
his wife.
"Imust try and make the peace, " she
thought Meanwhile my best plan
will be to be as pleasant as possible
conciliatory, in fact.
Inspired by this idea, she made no
objection when he suggested a stroll on
the boulevards. She insisted on his
smoking. she prattIed to him while be