The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1898-07-05

Inotherly face bending over me to inn
print the kiss of greeting on my cheek,
of the whispered words welcome, my
daughter" sounding in my ear; but no;
the door was thrown wide open by a
servant in livery but the handsome hall
In its long vista presented to sight no
other occupants, and, to my amazement, !
/ was hurried past the elegant drawing |
room, where caught sight of a cheer
full fire burning on the hearth, and up |
stairs into my own luxuriously fur
nished apartments.
"And how does my bird like her
pest?" questioned my husband, bend
ing over me with tender care as ] sank
exhausted into chair
80 much, Hugh, that she feels as
though she must stay here forever May
| not have tea here tonight"
"Oh, darling, mother would be so dis
appointed not to see you! Come, change
your dress and look your prettiest, that
l may present you to her"
Change my dress! Even tonight, in
the quiet home circle, must remove my
| dust-stained garb and go through the
exertion of fresh toilet ere my hus-
bands mother extended TO me her well
come? But could not refuse, and when,
my toilet completed, IIugh's proud
glance OF approval met mine, felt re-
warded. Then he led me downstairs,
and we entered the drawing-room to-
gether. In the farthest corner tall
figure rose from an armchair, and in
all the rustling dignity of velvet and
lace approached me.
my wife, mother" Hugh said, while
felt a cold hand take mine in pas
sonless grasp. A kiss as If fallen
snowflake had rested on my brow, and
Mrs. Phillips fell back with graceful
ease into the chair from which she had
risen.
1t was some six weeks before her
birthday that l once heard her express
wish that she had picture of herooy
flor so she ever called Hugh, and in
stantly a resolution was formed in my
brain. | had always had talent for
painting Before my fathers death it
had been my delight and his pride, and
determined upon carrying a miniature
OF Hugh possessed to an artist knew
well, and ask his assistance in trans
ferring the likeness and painting por-
trait. Perhaps thought as my work it
might soften her heart toward me. So
the next morning / started out, and TO
my inexpressible delight, / found my
desire feasible, and received the artists
permission to use his studio for four
. hours each day-the hours knew Hugh
| 4 l, no
r long ere | saw that Mrs. Phillips
watched my coming and going with sus-
picious eyes, but /, pioturing her
shamed look of surprise when she found
my mission, went silently on my way
until the picture was almost completed,
e and had received the artists congratu-
7 lGtion upon my success, when, entering
d the house flushed and happy, | over
: heard her voice in the library address
G ing my husband:
D -Four hours every day, Hugh, she is
absent. What can be her purpose?
told you when you brought young
b giddy thing into this house you would
n regret it. 1t is your duty to see where
s she goes and what she does"
But ! could hear no more, as, with
z flashing eyes and head erect, entered
d the room.
T. "Since entered this house six months
= ago happy bride, joyous girl, have
e met, madam, at your hands, with in
n suits and scorn, which have suffered
h in silence. AS my reward you now try
n to take from me the last thing left me
v my husbands confidence. What my
Y mission has been you shall know To-
/ morrow. Accept it as my gift--the gift
c Of an injured woman to cruel injustice
o Hugh" turning to my husband) "th1
e same house no longer can hold us two
y Choose between us!" and turned and
J. left the room.
: Ny husband, following, strove to calm
me- but In vain.
z. ~ will not live with your mother"
7, said. III you must have her share you
IS home will 60"
e Darling, cannot ask her to leave i
n when old age is creeping upon her Sh'
s does not know you yet. Watt Have
e patience yet a little longer, and yol
It will nnd your way into her heart an'
Is once there, you will know how reall,
o warm it is, which she conceals beneath
4 a cold exterior"
III