New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-17

the exception Of the doctors bill don't
owe penny"
Then how in the world nave you
managed?' he asked. ~ have been ill five
weeks, and l know Il left only $50 in the
drawer. That, feel sure, would go very
little way toward the expenses you nave
had. Come, little wife, put down your
work and look me in the face, must nave
this mystery solved"
Hester threw the socks on the table and
turned her face, bright and glad IN spite OF
| it's pallOr, to her husband.
| II wish YOU would not ask questions, Ro-
! land" she said. sit can not hurt me TO bear
| for few weeks the burden that has always
rested on your shoulders. 1t will teach me
to be more lenient toward your shortcomings
| in the future" she added, laughing; ''and as
for mystery, have not INDUCED in one.
| Mrs. Walton has been very kind; she took
| Nessie for fortnight when You were first
| taken i'll, and-and-wen. suppose you'll
| worry till you find it out The fact is, l
| didn't care much for my coral ornaments,
| so sold them to her. Coral has como into
| fashion lately you know, so | made a good
bargain. There now, perhaps you are sat
isted ~
mot quite" was the reply. "What were
you writing last night!'
"Oh, dear what an inouisitive man you
are, she replied, smilingly. Il was copy
ing some music"
For amusement o. he asked.
:'Why, what else should do it for p re-
piled Hester, now half crying with vexa-
ton.
"Oh, nothing, of course" said her. hus-
band: ''but should like to see it "
Nonsense. you great tease said Hester.
ats not worth looking at y
please, Hester" he said.
Il can't show it to- you," said Hester. 81
don't know where it is exactly"
'.Ah, l understand. You went out this
morning. Are you sure this is not your
music in another form :" said Roland, point
ing to some grapes and jelly standing near
him ON the table.
A crimson flush overspread Hester's face
as she said, pleadinglt, Il could not tell
how long you might be i'll, and the money
was very useful. Don't be angry with me,
Roland
ANGRY with you, my dear wife !! Why,
child l never loved you as love you now,
for never before knew, though | may have
suspected, what moral courage there was in
to the blush: for, had l possessed your SIM
pie faith, and your determined will, this
illness might not have fallen upon me.
Hitherto l have loved you. my Hester, as
every man worthy of his manhood must
love good and true wife: but, as l
watched you moving about my room
this morning, and saw how pale
and thin your face had grown, 1
think, felt toward you as some staunch
Catholic of the Olden time may have felt
toward his patron saint: and | shall be
more patient, more trustful il the future if
it please God to give me back my health
Poor Hester could scarcely understand
her husbands words. He was herideal, her
model of all that was good and true; and
her loving eyes refused to see any spots in
her sun; but Roland only smiled when she
tried to tell him this, and interrupted her
by saying that he had some business to talk
to her. a bout, paying no attenti ton to her en-
treaties that he would keep quiet and leave
things to her a little longer.
81 must leave it to you. dear. he replied.
Il suppose the copying you have done has
been for Mr.. DysOn!
Yes" size replied.
We'll. there are three manuscript pieces
in tletlcawer the Canterbury" continued
Roland. If we could sell them. we might
tide over until | am about again; can't
bear TO see you doing that copying. VIII
yo'r fetch the drawer, Hester. dear! and |
Will find the pieces l mean"
Hester did as she was desired. turning
over the music for RolanG's inspection,
half fearful that he would tire himself, half
pleased TO see something of the old love of
MS arr Hgntlng up Ills lace.
Those are the three | mean. darling" he
said ar last. Il used sometimes TO think it
a nuisance that l had to grind away from
morning TIL night, but l shall be glad to be
at the old mill again" LIE added, reflect.
lively.
We'll. what am | to do with these?"
asked Hester, taking up the music.
Take them to Mr. Dyson, he replied
i should think the music trade must have
i h. 4.l ], 10
shall have the three for one hundred dol
lars. hate to send you on such errands,
but can not help it in this case
Hester put the music aside. with in
ward prayer that she might be able to sell
it. fox Tie gaunt spectre, poverty. had come
nearer their home than Roland had mag
med. Illness is expensive at all times
doubiy SO in cities where the eggs and milk,
and hundred and-one little delicacies that
for those OF limited means as the rest and
quiet the doctors prescribe. apparently
forgetting what impossible iuxrries
they are to the majority Of their patients.
so Hester had thought sadly that morning,
when the doctor, after pra:slng her nursing,
said. Mr Carroll needs nothing now besides
quiet, plenty of good living. and perfect
menta. rest
Nothing Dissatisfaction those three
HtH8S cOUlpItututbt ali LNaI was the most |
difficult TO obtain; and, knowing this, Hes |
;ers heart beat high with alterations of |
hope and tear, as the next morning she en-
tered the publishers office: but after few
remarks from Mr.. Dyson, the hope died out. |
Business was so slack, lie said slowly, |
that he did not care to bring out anything |
except a little dance-mUsic. and really Mr.. |
CAROLS pieces looked rather dceamy-far |
fetched, he might even say; why, his shelves
.l.,l 81,
character, of which he had not sold as many !
copies as would pay for the printing. He
didn't mind hearing what they were like
though. Perhaps Mrs. Carroll could play
them
Hester could not do that; so the melodies
had 40 chance in pleading their own cause,
and with an abundance OF polite apologies
they were declined; Hester wondering as she
walked back through the shop how she
should have the heart to 90 back and tell
Roland Of lis disappointment. Anything
would be better than that. she telt even
{: repetition Of the ordeal she had just gone
through. So, almost in despair she went
from one music publisher TO another, but
Mr. Dyson's were repeated.
+ srly tired out, mentally and bodily,
Hester reached home, looking round, as
she entered On the cid room that had
seemed so bright and cheerttal on her
wedding day, and thinking sadly that its
changed appearance harm onized with her
mood. 1t was "tidy' enough now, the
music was carefully put away: 10 open
books, no loose sheets, We're scattered about
the closed piano forte. There was no fire
in the CRATE, no slippers OF the hearth rug,
no coat hanging over the easy chair. The
'tidiness" was lthere, but the Lome-like
charm was gone: the room was lonely.
chill, and desolate.
Hester sat a little time to collect her
thoughts. II have never deceived him
vet" she said, half aloud, at last; land it's