The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-06-10
The Stepnother
lit is disgraceful," cried Gertrude
fol

Foster, passionately.
sThat is a fact" returned her brother,
coolly; "but what are you going to do
about it?"
The young man was lying in ham
mock, swung at the end OF the piazza;
his sister was seated near him, in
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 16y years of age was loung
ing on the steps, with novel before
him, but the contents of that epistle had
apparently taken away his interest in
the story, for he was not reading.
'sYou surely are not surprised, 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 bust
ness. Business!" laughing derisively,
my stern parent never fooled me much.
/ thought he was going a-wooing."
"Yes," returned Gertrude. "But how
can q man with heart fall in love
again, so soon, anyway
"Maybe she was his first love, from
whom he was separated by misunder-
standing" 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 hero!
Come along, Jim, we would not be here
to embarrass the greetings of two
young and loving hearts," He disap-
peared through the door while Jim
slowly followed in his lazy, languid
way, saying: "Tell Dick will see him
ut supper"
BY this time the carriage had entered
the gates, and was coming rapidly up
the long avenue that led to the house.
The Fosters prided 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 during
the summer months and their gorgeous
foliage, in the fall, made the Foster
place the glory of the neighborhood.
But neither Richard nor Gertrude
thought of the naples as he was driving
under them that afternoon. He had
enabroad two years. His only thought
was that, ut last, he was really to be
with his fiancee once more. While she
forgot her fathers second marriage, IL
JOY of seeing her lover again.
But after they had been together al
hour or two Gertrude remembered thu
letter and her face fell.
80, Dick!" she said, 'father is married
again. received note just few min
utes before you came, telling me abou
it. He said he should be home in a few
days, and wanted me to have every
thing done to make her home-comin,
pleasant.
Dick looked grave--tben replied
"Well 1t will be only for a little time
but" cheerfully, Il will take you ava,
right off, if you like"
Gertrude laughed. 80, guess ca
support her presence few weeks, bu
isn't it dreadful-for man to get maj
ried second time?"
Awful" he returned, with convit
ton. Then, after a seconds pause:
mean as q rule; of course, there are e,
ceptional cases. That reminds me-" b
added, 'you have heard me speak c
my aunt Marion?"
.'The aunt who, you say, has r.
deemed the race of old maids in your e
timation?" asked Gertrude.
"The same," he answered. "Wel
mother wrote me some time ago tina
she was going to be married. Isuppos
/ shall hear all about it tonight, whe
go home. You know" he CONTINUES
"a great many years ago, Aunt Mario
fell in love. She was boarding in II
country at the time and, although l
reciprocated her affection, they had N,
confessed their mutual attachmel
when her nearest friend came to boar
at the same place. This young lady al.
was fascinated by the same gentIema
and began to think how she could su
plant my aunt In his estimation. 81
had recourse 10 strategy; told humble
lees tslsshoods to both q them, a