The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-05-23
A MUTUAL SURPRISE

sition. and / do not. wish 10 act hastily.
A few weeks ago was introduced 70
widow OF the name Of Norton. nnding
her on further acquaintance 20 be All
that could desire either az q companion
or mother TO my children. She IL q
most kind and excellent lady. and trust
that you Will be prepared 70 extend 70
her that respect and affection that are
her due. She has one son, who - away
at school. which viii be PLEASANT for you.
IA you have no brother. We shall DO
home Thursday Your affectionate father.
HOWARD LESLIE. =
p. s-You were very wiEa IN not en- -
gaging yourself without consulting me to-
girl like you doesn't know what love In.
Five years hence win be time enough for
YOU 70 think OF such thing.
This was the letter that Anne Leslie
received from her father In reply tsvho
one she had written him overhowing
with the glad nnticipations to which
her newborn love had given rise.
For time she sat speechless with
anger and amaZement.
The idea OF her father ever marrying
again had never once entered her mind.
why should he? Was she not there
10 keep house for him? And when she
left. as. OF course, she should leave In
time, would not Marion be ready TO
take her place; She never heard OF
anything SO ridiculous.
And TO think that her poor mother.
who had been hardly two years In herN
grave, should be so soon forgottenl -
III she thought that her adored
Charles Edward would ever be so
false 10 her memory, she was sure
that Il would break her heart.
But the postscript was the unkind-
est cut OF all. The sighting manner In
which her father alluded TO "the young
man" whose name she had written to
him In full-Charlcs Edward Fitz Hen
ry Stubbs--was more wounding than
the harshest invective.
And TO presume 10 think that she
knew nothing Of love who had expert
enced II In sweetness aud powerl
Full OF these indignant thoughts,
Anne sat down and penncd on epistle
TO her adored Charles Edward, detail
Ing her grievance and ending with the
declaration that she would never, new
err submit 10 be domlneered over by
stepmother and that she would ever be
/ true 10 the first and only love OF her
life.
The next mail brought reply, stat
ing, together with many protestations
OF undying affection. that he could
firmly sympathize with her feelings IN
view OF her fathers marriage. having
Just received the intelligence that his
mother was 10 take another husband.
She had given him one stepfather when
he was a boy, and he would never
submit to the rule OF another.
He would be there on Thursday TO
demand In person her hand OF her ia
Their. If he refused they would fiy to-
gether TO some happy place WHERE
cruel fathers and stepfathers were un5
known.
Charles Edward was as good as his
word. Promptly on the following
Thursday he made his appearance at
the house OF the father of his adored
Anne.
Scarcely were the first rapturous
greetings over when the sound Of car
ridgc wheels was heard.
! Anne turned pale.
"Tbey have Gomez she cried. start
ing 10 her feet.
"Iet 'em come" responded Charles
Edward defiantiy. you are not afraid
hope. when am hereT
As he said this curiosity impelled
him 20 turn his eyes 10 the window.
Good heayensF' he calculated as
they fell upon lady who was nilghting
from a carriage. why II looks like
But, no; It can't be!e
Mr.. Leslie led his wife up 10 where
: his daughter was standing.
AS Mrs. leslie turned from the con-
} strained greeting OF her new daughter
her eyes fell upon the young man back
J OF her. who stood staring az her Ina
speechless amazement
'why charlesr'
"Why. motherl'
III never thought OF seeing you here'
"Nor your
J "who Is thisT inquired Mr. Leslie,
looking ia bcwilderment from one 70
, the other
ut IS Charles Edward. that | wrote
+ you about" said Anne. bushing.
, 1T Is my son Charles" said Mrs.
leslie. Charles. this Is your step
! father"
. "And my future father-in-law.
trust" responded Charles Edward IA
: he shook hands with his mothers new
husband,
"We'lI see about that. my boy" said
Mr.. Leslie. laughing. "If your mother
Is willing. shall have no objection"
The four passed very pleasant
evening. Charles Edward voted his
stepfather 10 be one Of the incest men
he ever met. and Anne thought no lady
could be more agreeable than her new
mother.
Charles Edward remalnedsat home n
week and then went bnck&to school.
/, taking with him the assurance that n
he studied diligently and both he and
y ANN 1Nnrn 81 the aaLnn MIND nl the