The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-08-18

A Mutual Surprise


my home and children needed a mothers love and
care. | have been willing in this respect as in
every other, to sacrifice my own feelings to their
good, but it is not easy matter to find just the
right person to fill SO important position, and |
do not wish to act hastily. A few weeks ago |
was introduced to a widow lady of the name of
Norton, finding her. on further acquaintance, to
be all that | could desire, either as a companion
or a mother to my children. She is a most kind
and excellent lady, and | trust that you will be
prepared to extend to her that respect and atfec-
ton that are her due. She has one son. who is
away at school, which will be pleasant for you, as
you have no brother We shall be home Thurs
day. Your affectionate father,
HOWARD LESLIE
P. S-You were very wise in not engaging
yourself without consulting to the young man
you mention. young girl like you don't know
what love is. Five years hence will be time
enough for you to think of such thing.
This was the letter that Anne Leslie
received from her father in reply to the
one she had written him. overlooking
with the glad anticipations to which her
newborn love had given rise.
For time she sat speechless with an
ger and Amusement.
The idea of her father ever marrying
again had never once entered her mind.
Why should be? Was she not there to
keep house for him? And when she left,
as, of course. she should in time. would
not Marion then be ready to take her
place? She never heard of anything SO
ridiculous.
And to think that her poor mother.
who had been hardly two years in her
grave. should be so soon forgotten!
If she thought that her adOred Charles
Edward would ever be so false to her
memory, she was sure that it would
break her heart.
But the postscript was the unkindest
cut of all. The sighting manner in
which her father alluded to 1.-The young
man." whose name she had written to
him in full-Charles Edward FitzHenry
Stubbs-was more wOunding than the
harshest invPctive.
And to presume to think that she knew
nothing of love. who had experienced it
in sweetness and power!
Full of these indignant thoughts, Anne
sat down and penned an epistle to her
adored Charles Edward, detailing her
grievances and ending with the declara-
ton that she would never, never submit
to be dOmineered over by a stepmother
and that she would ever be true to lie
first and only love Of her life.
The next mail brought reply. stating,
together with many protestatiOns of IN
dying affection. that be could truly sym
pathize with her feelings. in view Of her
fathers marriage. having just received
the intelligence that his mother was to
take another husband. She had given
him one stepfather when he was a boy,
and he would never submit to the rule of
another.
He would be there on Thursday. to
demand in person her hand of her father.
If he refused. they would fly together to
some happy place where cruel fathers
and stepfatherS were unknown.
Charles Edward was as good as his
word. Promptly on the following Thurs
day he made his appearance at the house
Of the father of his adored Anne
Scarcely were the first rapturous greet
ings over when the sound of carriage
wheels was heard
Anne turned pale.
"They have GOMEZ! she cried. starting
to her feet
"Let EN- come" responded Charles
Edward defiantly. "YOu are not afraid,
] hope. when | ana here"
As he said this curiosity impelled him
to turn his eyes to the window
Good heavens" he calculated as they
fell upon lady who was lighting from
q carriage. why, it looks like-but. no;
1t can't ber' 90
Mr.. Leslie led his wife up to where his
daughter was standing.
AS Mrs. Leslie turned from the con-
strained greeting Of her new daughter
her eyes fell upon the young man back
of her, who stood staring at her in
speechless amaZement.
why, Charlesp
why, mOther!'
Il never thought of seeing you here!"
''Nor your'
looking in bewilderment from one to the
other.
ut is Charles Edward that wrote you
about" said Anne. blushing.
1T is my son Charles" said Mrs. Les
lie. Charles. this is your stepfather."
And my future father-in-law, trust"
responded Charles Edward as he shook
hands with his mothers new husband.
We'll see about that, my boy" said
Mr.. Leslie, laughing. IF your mother is
willing, | shall have no objection"
The four passed a very pleasant even
ing. Charles Edward voted his stepfa-
Their to be one of the incest men he ever
met, and Anne thought no lady could be
more agreeable than her new mother.
Charles Edward remained at home a
week and then went back to school, TAX
ing with him the assurance that if he
studied diligently and both he and Anne
were of the same mind at the end of the
year no opposition would be made to
their marriage.-New York News.