Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-17
OLD SERIES.

face. BY and by be grew to watching his
wiie's face; there was something in it he
could not understand He looked down at
the mulberry and white"-it did look old
and dingy beside the snowy table eloib-he
wondered hs bad never noticed it before
He wen, into the knchen-how hot and
sitting il was. vague idea that i, wasn't
such a comfortable place, after all. fitted
through his mind. He went out towards
the barn. the sun was hot. but there was a
fresh breeze blowing from the south, and
the mcn were lounging in the shadow of
he barn.
Il never pi,ied woman so in my life.'
Hubbard was saying; ''she works like a
slave. and don't get even thank ye' for it,
shed never ought TO married Rob
Thompson" replied Jones; "a delicate.
sensitive little thing like her. However, he
won't make money out OF her blood and
bones many Years. | never saw woman
iun down so fast. She looks as faded as
The old house. that hasn't seen diop of
paint since oil Grandfather Thompson b, II
It fixed up for his second wife
And Jennie used TO like things nice. so
we'll! She'd better have married SluIre
Burnham i wonder ii she isn't ever sorry?r
Was she? The thought came crashing like
bolt of fire Trough the heart aud brain of
Robert Thompson. She might have married
Burnham. he knew. And then be remem-
bered how proud lac had been That she turn
,.l al. Iii
him. and come to he old home stead to take
care OF his invalid mother. And how ten
derly she had done 1t, too, lie could bear
1t no longer. lie stole noiseIessly from
the unconscious takers, and started at a
quick pace down the streets
Mrs Thompson had washed and put away
The last dish. and with n weary step had
taken down the broom, when the sudden
sound OF wheels coming into the yard sent
her to the door.
"I've brought down that ware, Mrs.
Thompson" said the brisk voice Of Grover.
sprin:ing to the ground. and lifting a large
basket carefully from the wagon.
"But di int order them, Mr.. Grover,n
she gasped, in frightened voice. II only
said perhaps, u
80, it's a II right. Mr. Thompson came
up this noon and ordered them. though;
you didn't send him, for he didn't seem TO
know what he wanted, only he gave me ten
dollars and told me to bring what was
necessary. have brought you n tea and
dining set including three dozen plates. II
here is anything you don't like, I'll take it
again and make ii all right"
go. | shall like them. l know" she said
trying hard TO controi + her voice
'Wcll. I'll leave the basket. md Robert
can bring 1t up some time. " he said, spring.
ing into the wagon and driving off.
Than Jane Thompson sat down on the
floor beside that basket OF crockery, and
cried as If her heart would break. They
were magical tears. too. for they washed all
the weaTines, and despair from her face
and the shadow from her eyes and heart.
She forgot that she was tired or that the
day was hot, but went unpackng and wash
ing her new treasures. singing softly TO her
self The while. She put some nice clean
papers on the shelves, and then she folded
some and cut them in scaIlops and put hem
ove- the edges. and then she ngsd her
beautiful ware, With its dropping sprays of
conyclvul1s and fuscbiss, standing off every
few moments to admire il. / doubt il M,s
Squire Burnham wa ever 50 entirely happy
in her life,
She bad got it all arranged. and stood in
the pantry door, with bright, happy smile
IN her ewes aud on her lips, shen n vnicc-it
was a rife busky-said clos besi e her -
What i, it. Jennic?" (he used to call
her that, in the OLD days. before hardness
or Indifference came between theuO
90 Robert" taking a step towards him
lie opened his arms and drew hcr close 10
MS heart kissing her as iondIy and tcndcrly
Is be ever had in Ihe days OF his courtship.
u have been brute, little wife" he
"hi'Pered, buskily 'can you ever forgive
nel'
Forgive you? o Robert never was
so happy IN my life have been to blame,
too ! haven't"
"Ycs, you have ~ be interrupted
You We been an angel compared to me
I've made a slave Of you, but you shan't
sork 80 any more Jones Laura is coming
Up TO morrow. to help YOU I'LL after bayiug.
and then III make some permanent arrange.
ncnt"
"O Robert. | can get along nor. feel
Just rs light as q bird"
And you are almost. " be said, smiling a
little sadly into her eager face ono: am
able to hire some one to help yor. aud ] am
gong to. And, by the wa; / saw Leeds