Evening journal., 1899-12-08
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

ed mothers love and care. have
been willing in this respect, as I'm every
other, TO sacrifice my own feelings TO
their good, but it IS not an easy matter
TO find Just the right person TO MI 50
important n position, and l do not wish
to act hastily.
"a few weeks ago L was introduced
to n widow lady by the name of Nor
ton, finding her, on further acqualnt-
ance, to be all that l could desire,
either as companion or as q mother
to my children.
She IS 2 most kind and excellent lady,
and trust that you viii be prepared
10 extend to her that respect and affec-
ton that are her due.
''She has one son, who is away at
school, which win be pleasant for you,
as y0u have no brother.
I'VE shall be home Thursday.
your auectionate father,
Howard Leslie"
"P. S.-You were very wise in not
engaging yourself without consulting
me TO the young man you mention. A
young girl like You don't know what
love is. Five years from now 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, overflow
ing with the glad anticipation to which
her new born love had given rise.
For a time she sat speechless with
anger and amazement.
The idea of her father ever marry
Ing again had never once entered her
nund.
Why should hef Was she not there
to keep house for himg And when sne
left, as, of cOuse, she should ia time,
would not Marion then be ready tO
take her placer She never heard OF
anything SO ridiculous.
And 10 think that her poor mother,
who had been hardly two years IN her
grave, should be so soon forgotten!
III she thought that her adored
Charles Edwards would ever be 50
false 20 her memory. she was sure that
IL would break her heart.
But the postscript was the unkindest
cut Of all. The sighting manner I'm
which her father alluded 10 the young
. man" whose name she had written to
| him in full-Charles Edward FiZlienry
|, Stuhbs-was more wOunding than the
harshest invective
/. And TO presume TO think that she
b !
, enced IL in fullness and power.
FUN 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 Ovei
by q step-mOther, ana 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 prOtestation'
OF undying affection, that he could
truly sympatize with her feelings, IL
I view of her fathers marriage, having
I Just received the intelligence that hi'
! mother was to take another husband
e She had given him one step-fathel
! when he was q boy and he woulC
= never submit 10 the rule OF another.
|. He would be there in person to de
> mand, in person, her hand Of her faith
e er. Ii he refused they would fly to
e gether to some happy place, wher'
: cruel fathers and stepfathers were un
Il known"
Charles Edwards was as good as hi
ward. Promptly, on the following
Z Thursday, he made his appearance a
the house of the father OF his adOre'
Anne.
: Scarcely was the first rapturou
q greeting over when the sound OF car
riage wheels were heard.
Anne turned pale.
They have come!" she cried, start
ing to her feet
Let 'em come,' responded Charlie
= Edward dehantly. you are no
afraid. hope, when l am here"
AS he said this curiosity impelle'
? him to turn his eyes to the window.
), ing from the carriage, "why it look
j. they fell upon the lady who was alighi
n ing from the carriage, why IL look
Il like-but no, it can't be"
g Mr.. Leslie led his wife up to wher
his daughter was standing.
As Mrs. Leslie turned from the COZ
strained greeting of her new daugl
ter, her eyes fell upon the young ma.
back of her, who stood staring at he
in speechless amazement.
why, Charlesv'
e why, motherr
Il Il never thought of seeing you herel
d Nor l your
a who is thisy inquired Mr.. Lesli,
looking in bewilderment from one {
the other.
s 1t is Charles Edward that ] wr0t
= YOU about" said Anne blushing.
1t is my son, Charles" said Mrs Lei
lie. Charles, this Is your step-father.
r. And my future father-inlaw,
l. trustr responded Charles Edward, q
he shook hands with his mother
new husband
N "WeI see about that. my boy" sal
=, Mr. Leslie, laughing IL your mOthC
- is willing, l shall have no objection.
q The four passed very pleasaI
s. evening. Charles Edward voted hI
"a step-father one of the incest men L
ever met. and Anne thought no lad
could be more agreeable than her ne
? mother.
Charles Edward remained at hon
,e week and then went back to schoo
Z taking with him the assurance that
AZ he studied diligently and if both j
IL and Anne were of the same mind ;
u the end OF the year no Oppositio
q Il. 4 N...taa aasfHflI