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

ing how my aunt had deceived him. I
think" continued Richard, that
would never have made known the
truth If 1 had been in her place. But
l suppose the voice of conscience gets
loud in the presence Of death. 1t was
a tardy PREPARATION, though"
"Dick, what is your aunts name?"
asked Gertrude, abruptly.
"Why, the same as my mother's,' he
answered, somewhat astonished at the
question; Moore, Marion Moore. Pref
ty name, isn't it?' he added. TOO
pretty to change, think. Why, Ger
tie, what is the matter?"
For the girl had grown deathly white
and did not seem to hear his last re-
mark.
Nothing" she said at last, making
an effort to recover her self-possession,
'only your aunt is-my stepmother."
"What!" calculated Richard, "Aunt
Marion your stepmother! 1t cannot be
-and-yet-I never knew her lovers
name, never heard it. Is that her
name, Gertie, are you sure?'
.Here is the letter, you can read for
YOURSELF" she answered family. He
saw there was no mistake and won
dered how in the world he could recall
his words.
81 am sorry, Gertie," he said at last
"Of course, you know never would
have told you had I dreamed of such
a thing; daresay I exaggerated. l
never heard Aunt Marion say anything
about it. All my information came
from her sisters, who did not like
your-her friend. Just forget all about
it, Gertie."
Gertrude was weeping as If her
heart would break; but as he finished
speaking she handed him her ring,
without looking up.
"What is that for?" asked Richard,
| aghast. " did not mean to hurt you:
! surely you are not going to punish me
like that, when offended so uninten-
tionally."
NO." sobbed Gertrude, SIT isn't that
only shouldn't think you would want
to marry the daughter of such
MOTHER
Richard laughed as he took the ring
and placed it on Gertrude's finger
again.
"What silly child you are!" he said
fondly. sit wouldn't make any differ
ence to me If every relative you had
was in the penitentiary. You would
not be responsible for their sins. Be
sides, suppose your mother thought
she had every right to try and win your
father. He was not engaged to my
aunt, you know, and they say all is
fair in love and war. So think no more
about it-and we will never mention it
again"
Gertrude never did mention it again,
but she thought about it many times;
and when Mr.. Foster brought his wife
home he found everything arranged to
his liking.
He had said to her, "The boys will
be all right, and if Gertrude does not
treat you well, let me know
Never, James," replied Mrs. Eos
ter, for you might be tempted to tell
her the history of the years that are
gone, and children should reverence
their mothers memory, which 1 doubt
if she could do, knowing ALL"
But there was no trouble. Gertrude
treated her stepmother with the ut
most respect and courtesy, and behav-
ed in such a way that Mrs. Foster ac-
tually dreaded the girls wedding day.
AS she watched the carriage that
contained her nephew and his bride
drive down the maple avenue, now re-
splendent in its autumnal colorings,
she sighed-then turned toward her
husband, who was standing near. Il
never thought to have loved Louisa's
child so WE'LL" she said.-Exchange.