The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-06-13
the STEP MOTHER.

Foster, passicnateiy.
THAT is fact" returned he's, broth
er, coolly. ''Aul whit aro you going to
do about i.*
The young man Was lying In q ham
mock, swung at the end OF the piazza;
his sister was seated near him. in Il
rocking chair, which she kept in vigor-
GUS motion, as though thereby trying
to accentuate her remarks concerning
the letter she held in her hand
A boy about 16 wears of age was
lounging on the steps, with a novel be-
fore him, but the contents of that epis-
tie had apparently taken away his in
terest in the story, for he was not read
Ing.
"You surely are not surprise, Ger
trude,' continued the occupant of the
hammock. II have been noticing for
some time the care father took in max
Ing his toilet, when he went out on
business Business laughing derisive-
ly, my stern parent never fooled me
much. thought he was going
a-wooing."
YES" returned Gertrude But how
can man with heart fall in love
again, SO soon, anyway?
Maybe she was his first love, from
whom he was separated by a misun-
derstanding," said Harold, putting his
hand over his heart sentimentally.
"Hello! the rain has stopped - and
there comes a livery stable carriage.
How dramatic! Rain stops, enter
herol Come along, Jim, we would not
be here to embarrass the greetings of
two young and loving hearts," He dis
appeared through the door, while Jim
slowly followed In his lazy, languid
way, saying, '"Tell Dick will see him
at supper"
By this time the carriage had enter
ed the gates and was coming rapidly
up the long avenue that led to the
house. The Fosters priced themselves
on their well-kept grounds, especially
the drive from the lodge gate to the
house, which was bordered on either
side by maple trees.
They gave delightful shade dur
ing the summer months and their
gorgeous foliage, In the fall, made the
Foster place the glory of the naighbor-
hood.
But neither Richard nor Gertrude
thought of the naples as he was driy.
J ing under them that afternoon. He had
been abroad two years, his only
thought was that at last, he was real
~ to be with his flancee once more.
While she forgot her fathers second
marriage, in JOY Of seeing her lover
again.
But after they had been together an
hour or two Gertrude remembered the
letter and her face fell.
20, Dick" she said, "Fathcr is mar
ried again. I received note Just a
few minutes before you came, telling
me about It, He said he should be
home in few days and wanted me to
have everything done to make her
homecoming pleasant.
Dick looked grave-then replied:
"Well. it will be only tor a little time,
but" cheerfully, II will take you away
right off, If you Ike
Gertrude laughed. "Oh, l guess I
can support her presence few weeks.
but isn't it dreadful-for man to get
married q second timev'
awful" he returned, with convic-
ton. Then, after seconds pause: 81
mean as rule; of course, there are
exceptional cases. That reminds me- ;,
he added, you have heard me speak
OF my aunt Marion?"
The aunt who, you say, has re.
deemed the race of old maids in YOUR
estimation?" asked Gertrude.
1.-THE same" he answered. ~Wer
mother wrote me some time ago that
She was going to be married. / suppose
shall hear all about 1t tonight, when
go home. You know" he continued
"a great many years ago, Aunt Marion
feal IN love. She was boarding in the
country at the time and, although he
reciprocated her affection, they had
not confessed their mutual attacbment
when her nearest friend came to board
at the same place. This young lady
also was fascinated by the same gen
ueman, and began to think how she
could supplant ny aunt in his estima,
ton. She had recourse to strategy:
told numberless falsehoods to both Of
l
them, and managed, in short snace
of time, to provoke quarrel between
them.
AUNT Marion was proud and sensl.
tive, sought no explanation from her
whilom admirer, trusted her friend
and lost her lover.
In year or two she heard of their
marriage. which opened her ewes q lit.
tie and caused the girlish friendship +o
be broken off. Two years ago she ro.
ceived letter from this woman. who
1t seems, was dying, confessing the
whole truth. She also left an exnIana-
ton for her husband, which he fond
when she was dead. After awhile
Aunt Marion acceded to the widowers
repeated entreaHes to be allowed to
call-and In few months they were
engaged. ! guess my prospective uncle
made the other woman a good hus-
band, but he did not really love her.
for his wife wrote that he had never
forgotten his first love, and only mar
f1afY her In cVofft1da eov Ar