The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-08-10
thought gratefully, refussd her nothing

now. - El..r9 if5Gs 9ii aL
"How lucky / brought some of my
old dresses r Lima thought. y"I have
not worn them since / was school
marin. Fancy Mrs. Reynolds scrubbing
the floor in this dress |" t'aal PSI
John rubbed his eyes and pinched
himself as a little figure sailed into the
sitting-room, made him sweeping
courtesy, and went to the piano.
Was that the little woman who had
worn print and sun:bonets so long The
fair hair was fashionabaS dressed, and
bands of blue velvet looped the goldep
curls. A dress of blue silk. with softest
lace trimmings aud ornaments of pearls,
had certainly made a lady of Lima. The
piano was yielding its most bewitching
tones to the skilled little fingers, aad
Johns bowildermdnt was complete,
when voice of exquisite sweetness,
though not powerful, began to sing.
Only one song, full of trills and
quavers, and then Lima rushed from the
piano into Johns arms.
"John, my darling" she said, "hold
me fast. Don't let me slip from you'll"
40 Lima" he groanod. 81 was not
fit to marry such dainty bird But l
loved you, dear little one"
"And 1 love you. John, rough old
joint Let me sing again. am very
happy to day, my dear husband"
But no wonderful trill filled the room
now. In clear, pure voice, full of
expressions, Lima sang.
81 know that my Rcdeemer lweth."
Every word fell like hot4 on poor
Johns heart, until as the last chord
trombled upon the air, Lima turned to
hia, stretching out her arms:
Take me in your arms, John"
He took her tendcrly to the room she
had Quilted so gaily, and replaced her
iincry by a white wrapper, whose lace
trimmings looked like lair-work to his
ul.accustemed eye.
Are You tired, love q he asked,
with a spasm of terror at his heart, as
he looked at the white wasted face.
Yes, tired, but happy, Johu?" and
with Il little sigh of entire content Lin,
nestled down against the warm heart,
whose every throb she knew was all her
own
Mrs. Reynolds was to experience her
Shaic of as;onishment during her holi-
day, and it commenced by the apparition
of John the next day i'll "a new suit of
handsome clothes, that well became his
manly figure. There was no ioppcry,
but he looked gentleman, though he
made more than one grimacc before he
got, as he said, "wcll shaken into his
store clothes"
"fut john" she cried, The Stanley
farm ?"
is sold, dear. You were right we
will make cur home so lovely, the Stan
ley farm will never cost NE sigh. |
have hired two new hands, SO as to have
Il little more leisure"
Can | describe that week What
Was new to John was old familiar
ground to Lima. Central Park was not
soon exhausted, and the little guide
grew stronger and roster every day, In
Johns thoughtful care, that provided
plenty of pleasant excitement, but
guarded against fatigue.
1t was early in tho afternoon of a
sunny day, when II train drew up at the
SEQ tstiyld station, and John handed his
Wondering wifc into neat little one
horse carriage waiting Tor them.
"a new purchase, DEAR he explained
"Wo arc to have drive every after
noon. Dr. Grcyson prescribed it,"
TEc house stands where it had always
stood, but somehow it has gradually
been undergoing transformation as if
fair hands were upon it.
The dull little sitting room has been
papcrcd, carpotcd, curtaincd transformed
into cosy dining-room. The st,ll par
lor is bower of beauty, witha fine
piano, the daintiest OF furuiture, soft
muslin curtains, and carpet covered
with bouquets of exquisite flowers; the
bed rooms are carpetcd brightly, and
rejoice III cottage sets, aud itf the kltch-
en- the most good natured Of stout G cr-
man girls, awaited Lina's astonishcd
gaze on her return from the city, aud
fairly shed tears when she addressed her
in her own language.
The neighburs stared and wondered.
Comments upon Johns t1llv and ian.