Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-04-16

and the house is twice as large rs this!"
Lima thought of larger floors to scruh,
moro rooms to clean. and additional work
of all kinds. aud swallowed little sigh
that nearly escaped her.
"John." she said rather timidly, don't
you think il you spend part of the money
on this house we might be very happy
here P'
"Spend money on this house" cried
the astonished John. why, what an
earth ails this house ?"
81 mean in things Cor IT, Now, III"
parlor looks so stiff, AMI IS always shut
up. WAS thinking &c wo had a picttA
oxtpet, anl some curtains of white mus
lin or lace, and set ot nice furniture.
and-and-a piano. q John! if could
have pianon
John Reynolds looked at his wife as IT
she had proposed to him to buy up the
crown-jewels of Russia.
"A piano. Do you know what " piano
costs ,"
No. Aunt Louise had one, YOU know
ever since can remember. But ] think
if VIC had pretty parlor to rest In in the
evening, could play for you, and sing.
You mover heard me play and sing,
john"
II have heard you sing, but not lue
". y said John, rather gloomily,
oh that was Just bummiug round
the house. mean real singing. have
lots of music in my trms."
But YOU are only n farmers wife nov,
Lina. thought you understood "hon We
wore married that yhu were not Ia have
city tinery and pleasures
so did. John. | don't want tnery.
doa't want any pleasure, put your love.
John. Don't scowl up your face 80. |
am silly TO think oi these things at all
There. kiss me, and forget it. am nice
ly rested now, and I'll get your tea in ten
minutes"
John put her down with tender Kiss,
and straightway fell into revery.
Lima Rivers had been u distric; school
teacher 10 Scoitsfield just four months,
when John Reynolds offered her his hand
and heart She was an orphan from in
fancy. but her fathers sister had adopted
and educated her in life ol luxury, and
died without altering will made years
before. leaving her entire fortune to n
charity asylum. Lima. lell alone. had
thankfully accepted the position OF
country school teacher procured for her
by some friend, and was thinking life u
hard burden, when john came 10 bright
en- It. She gave her whole gentle little
heart into his keeping at once. apprecat-
ing at their full value his honest. true
heart, his frank nature, his sterling good
qualities, and looking with the most pro
found admiration upon his tall, strong
frame aud handsome lace.
1t WAS perfect love match. for John
iairly worshipped the dainty. refined
little beauty he had married. And,
having married her, he took her to his
home, and, in all ignorance, proceeded
to kill her.
There W as no blame 10 be laid upon
him Living in the old farm house where
he had spent his entire life, the ono ann
bition OF his heart was 10 own land. stock.
barns. and model farm. He had seen
his mother cook, churn iced poultry, and
drudge all her life and the women he
knew did the same, and if Lima made odd
mistakes, she put willing heart into her
work. and soon conquered its difficulties.
Surely, he thought, it vas IN easier life
To be mistress OF his home, with tho Stan
lev larm in propecl, than TO toll over stu
pid children in district school. He had
never seen velvet carpets aud lace cur
tains, grand pianos. dainty silks, and
surroundings that were Lina's from baby
hood. lie had never heard the wonder
full music the little white hands, all rough
and SCARED now, could draw rom the
ivory keys OF an organ or piano, Or the
cleaa, pure voice In song. II was an un'
known world to John where his wife's
memory fingered as she secured tins.
strained milk. and cooked huge dishes
for the farm hands. He would have
thought it wicked waste, if not positive
insanity, to draw from the bank his hard
earned savings to invest them In beauti
lying his plain comfortable home.
And Lima lashed her consciousness
sharply. telling herself she was migrate
ful, repining, and wicked. Was not her
John tender, true and loving? Where
amongst her city friends was there u
heart like his9 Had she mol known he
was only farmer
And 80 the loving little woman toilet
and shaved. undertook tasks lar beyond
her strength. worked early and late. un
till lust Que year after her wedding day,
John Reynolds coming to his tea. found
lying upon the kitchen floor little sense
less figure, with face like death, and
hands that sent chill to his very heart.
The doctor. hastily summoned, looked
grave and advised perfect quiet rest. A
girl was hired, and John tenderly nursed
the invalid, but though she grew better
she grew pale and weak.
Take her away awhile" said the doc
tor, "ry change of air. She is over
worked
"But," said honest. puzzled John. "She