Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-15
4 MUTUAL SURPRISE.

VtAcA' " cdcIiucc NY OWL Feelings Y
their good, but 1t is not an easy matte
to find just the right person to fill n
important a position, and do not wisl
| to act hastily.
"A few weeks ago l was introduced
to q widow by the name of Norton
finding her, on further acquaintance
to be all that ! could desire, either al
a companion or a mother to my chill
dren.
"She is 4 most kind and excellent
lady, and trust that you will be pre-
pared to extend to her that respect and
affection that are her due.
"She has one son, who Is away al
school, which will be pleasant for you
as you have no brother.
I'VE shall be home Thursday.
"Your affectlonate father.
Howard Leslie.
"P. S.-You were wise in not en-
saging yourself without consulting me
to the young man you mention. A
young girl like you doesn't know what
love is. Five years hence 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, overlooking
with the glad anticipations to which
her new born love had given rise.
For time she sat speeches. with
anger and amazement.
The idea Of her father every marry
ing again had never once entered her
mind.
Why should he? Was she not there
to keep house for him? And when she
left, as, Of course, she should In time,
would not Marion then be ready to
take her place? She never heard any,
thing 80 ridiculous.
And to think that her poor mother,
who had been hardly two years in her
grave, should be 50 soon forgotten!
II she thought that her adored
Charles Edward would ever be 80 false
to her memory she was sure that II
would break her heart!
But the postscript was the unkindest
cut Of all. The sighting manner in
which her father alluded to 1.-THE young
man." whose name she had written to
him in full-Charles Edward Fitzhenry
more wounding than the
invective.
And to presume to think that she
knew nothing Of love, who had expert.
enced 1t in sweetness and power!
Full Of these indignant thoughts
Anne sat down and penned an epistle !
10 her adored Charles Edward, detail. |
ng her grievances, and ending with
The declaration that she would never.
never submit to be domineered over
BY a stepmother, and that she would
aver be true to the first and only love
If her life!
The next mail brought a reply, stat.
ns together with many protestations
II undying affection. that he could
ruly sympathlze with her feelings, in
7iew of her fathers marriage, having
ust received the intelligence that his
mother was to take another husband, /
She had given him one stepfather
when he was boy, and he would new
# submit to the rule of another.
He would be there on Thursday, to
lemand, in person, her hand Of her
ather. If he refused they would fly
ogether to some happy place, where
ruel fathers and stepfathers were
nknOwn.'
Charles Edward was as good as his
7ord. Promptly, on the following
he made his appearance at
he house Of the father of his adored
.nne.
Scarcely were the first rapturous
reetlngs over when the sound of car
age wheels was heard.
Anne turned pale.
"They have come" she cried, start
lg to her feet.
Let 'em come,' responded Charles
dward, defiantly. "You are not afraid
hope when l am hersT'
As he said this curiosity impelled
I'm to turn his eyes to the window.
Good heavensv' he calculated, as
ley fell upon a lady who was alight-
g from a carriage, why, II looks
ke-but no; 1t can't be-"
Mr.. Leslie led his wife to where his
tighter was standing. q
As Mrs. Leslie turned from the con- .
aimed greeting Of her new daughter
r eyes fell upon the young man back ii
her, who stood staring at her in 8,
eechless amazement. I
"Why. Charlpspv i;