Evening journal., 1899-11-03
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

ed a mothers love and care. have
been willing in this respect, as in every
other, TO sacrifice my own feelings TO
their good. but 1t Is not an easy matter
to lind just the right person TO fll so
important a position, and do not wish
to act hastily.
"A few weeks ago l was introduced
to a widow lady by the name of Nor
ton, finding her, on further acquaint-
ance, TO be all that / could desire,
either as a companion or as a mother
TO my children.
She is a most kind and excellent lady,
and / trust that you viii be prepared
to extend to her that respect and atfec-
ton that are her due.
"She has one son, who Is away at
school, which will be pleasant for you,
as you have no brother.
I'VE shall be home Thursday.
"Your affectionate father,
Howard Leslie"
"P S.-YOu were very wise in not
engaging yourself without consulting
me 10 the young man you mention. A
young girl like you don't know what
love is. Five years from now viii 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
mind.
Why should hef Was she not there
to keep house for him? And when she
left, as, of cOuse, she should in time,
would not Marion then be ready TO
/ take her place? 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.
If she thought that her adored
Charles Edwards would ever be 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 to
him in full-Charles Edward fitzHenry
Stubhs-was more wOunding than the
harshest inyective.
And to presume to think that she
hlltM ANAnAAAN VI AhNNf WIN htAA iAlNAA-
enced II I'm fullness 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 step-mOther, and that she would
ever be true TO the first and only love
of her lifei
The next mail brought n reply, stat
ing together with many protestations
of undying affection, that he could
truly sympatize with her feelings in
view OF her fathers marriage, having
just received the intelligence that his
neither was to take another husband
She had given him one step-fathcl
when he was a boy, and he would
never submit TO the rule of another.
HE would be there in person TO de
mand, in person, her hand of her faith
er. III he refused they would fly to
gether 20 some happy place, wherl
cruel fathers and stepfathers were un
known"
Charles Edwards was as good as hi
ward Promptly, on the following
Thursday, he made his appearance a
the house OF the father OF his adore'
Anne
Scarcely was the first rapturou
greeting over when the sound of car
riage wheels were heard.
Anne turned pale.
"They have comew she cried, start
ing TO her feet.
LET 'em come" responded Charlie
Edward, dehantly. You are no
afraid l hope. when | am heref
tl.f.. .,.sf,uffrr f.tv.1l.I
him to turn his eyes TO the window.
inc from the carriage, why IL look
they fell upon the lady who was alighi
ing from the carriage, why It look
like-but no, it can't be-
Mr.. Leslie led his wife up to wher
his daughter was standing.
As Mrs. Leslie turned from the col
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, Charles
"Why. motherw
Il never thought of seeing you here
, Nor l your
"Who is thisg" inquired Mr. Lesli
looking in bewilderment from one
the other.
You about" said Anne blushing
1t is my son, Charles" said Mrs. lie
= lie. "Charles, this is your step-father
I "And my future father-in-law,
trustr responded Charles Edward 9
he shook hands with his mother
[ new husband.
"We'H see about that, my boy" sal
q Mr. Leslie, laughing. III your moth'
IS willing. / shall have no objection
The four passed very pleasm
evening. Charles Edward voted n
= step-father one of the incest men J
I ever met, and Anne thought no lad
could be more agreeable than her ne
mother.
!, Charles Edward remained at hon
= week and then went back TO schOC
taking with him the assurance that
he studied diligently and If both
!, and Anne were OF the same mind
y the end Of the year no opposite
- 4 H.. Ia. 30. Fhafra