The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-09-06
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.


ed a mothers love and care. l have
been willing in this respect, as In every
other, to sacrifice my own feelings to
their good, but ii is not an easy matter
TO find just the right person to I'LL so
important position and do not wish
To act hastily.
"A few weeks ago | was introduced
to a widow by the name of Norton,
finding her, on further acquaintance.
to be all that | could desire, either as
companion or mother TO my chill
dren.
"She is most kind and excellent
lady, and l trust that you will be pre-
pared to extend TO her that respect and
affection that are her due.
'She has one son. who is away at
school, which will be pleasant for you,
as you have no brother.
1--WE shall be home Thursday.
"Your affectionate father.
Howard Leslie
up. S.-You were wise in not en-
gaging yourself without consulting me
TO the young man you mention.
young girl like you doesn't know what
love is Five years hence will be time
enough for you to think of such a
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 new born love had given rise.
For time she sat speechless with
anger and amaZcment.
The idea Of her father every marry
ing again had never once entered her
mind
Why should he? Was she not there
10 keep house for him? And when she
left as, of course. she should i'm time.
would not Marion then be ready to
take her place? She never heard any
thing 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 he 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 "the young
man." whose name she had written 10
him in full-Charles Edward Fitzhenry
Stubbs-was more woundng than the
harshest invective.
And to presume to think that she
knew nothing of love. who had expert
enced IL in sweetness and power.
Full of these indignant thoughts
Anne sat down and penned an epistle
to her adored Charles Edward. detail
ing her grievances. and ending with
the declaration that she would never,
never submit to be dOmineered over
by a stepmother and that she would
ever be true TO the first and only love
of her lifel
The next mail brought a reply, stat
ing together with many protestations
of undying affection. that he could
truly sympathize 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 boy. and he would new
er 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
Thursday, he made his appearance at
the house of the father OF his adored
Anne.
Scarcely were the first rapturous
greetings over when the sound of car
riage wheels was heard.
Anne turned pale
"They have come" she cried. start
ing to her feet.
Let 'em come" responded Charles
Edward, defiantly. You are not afraid
/ hope when l am here?"
AS he said this curiosity impelled
him to turn his eyes to the window.
Good heavensr he calculated. as
Iney zen upon lduy VINO was allgnt-
ing from carriage. "why, it looks
like-but no; it can't be-"
Mr.. Leslie led his wife TO where his
daughter was standing.
AS Mrs. Leslie turned from the con-
trained greeting of her new daughter
her eyes fell upon the young man back
of her, who stood staring at her in
speechless amaZement.
why, Charles!'
why, mother!''
81 never thought of seeing you
herew
Nor l you"
"Who is thisT inquired Mr.. Leslie.
looking in bewilderment from one to
the other
1T Is Charles Edward that | wrote
you about" said Anne, blushing
ut Is my son Charles" said Mrs.
Leslie. Charles, this is your step
father"
And my future father-in-law, 1
trustP' responded Charles Edward. as
he shook hands with his mothers