The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-05-13
The S~tepmother
"a ~ n
TT IS disgraceful," cried Gertrude

Foster, pa~ssionately.
That is Z fact" returned her brother,
'coolly; but what are you going to do
about it?"
The young man was lying in a ham,
mock, swung at the end of the piazza;
his sister was seated neal him, in q
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 years of age was loung-
him, but the contents of that epistle had
apparently taken away his interest in
the story, for he was not reading.
You surely are not surprised, Ger
-trude,' continued the occupant of the
hammock. Il have been noticing for
some time the care father took in max
ing his toilet, when he went out on bust
my stern parent never fooled me much.
! thought he was going a~-wooing."
YES" returned Gertrude. but how
can n man with a heart fall in love
again, so soon, anyway"
Maybe she was his first love, from
whom he wa separated by a misunder-
.standing," said Harold, putting his
hand over his heart se~ntimentally.
Hello. the rain has s~topped-and
there comes a livery stable carriage.
How dramatic. Rain stops, enter hero.
Come along. Jim. we would not be here
to cmbarrass 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 l will see him
at supper"
BY this time the carriage had entered
the gates, ard 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 bordercd on either side by maple
trees.
They gave a 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
EDeenabroad twoyears. Hisonly thought
was that, at last, he was really to be
with his fiancee 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.
so. Dick" she said, father is married
again. ! received a note just Il few min
utes before you came. telling me about
it. He said he should be home in a few
days, and wanted me to have every
thing done to make her Homecoming |
pleasant.
Dick looked grave-then replied:
~Well it will be only for a little time,
but" cheerfully. Il will take you away
right off, if you like"
Gertrude laughed. 20, l guess 1 can
support her presence a few weeks, but
isn't it dreadful-for a man to get mar
ried a second time?!"
awful" he returned, with convic-
ton. linen, alIeT a second S pause. Il
mean as a rule; of course, there are ex-
ceptional cases. That reminds me-" he
added, You have heard me speak of
my aunt Marion?"
The aunt who, you say, has re-
the race of old maids in your es-
asked Gertrude.
1.-The same" he answered. "Well.
mother wrote me some time ago that
she was going to be married. Isuppose
l shall near all about it tonight, when
l 60 home. You know" he continued,
"a great many years ago, Aunt Marion
fell in love. She was boarding in the
country at the time and, although he
reciprocated her affection, they had not
confessed their mutual attachment
when her nearest friend came to board
at the same place This young lady also
was fascinated by the same gentleman,
and began to think how she could sup
plant my aunt in his estimation. She
had recourse to strategy; told number
less falsehoods to both OF them, and l.
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