Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-04-24

operation"
"Whose house is this that covers
our heads % demanded the wife ve-
hemently.
'It is yours, Della"
"No,-it is ours but I provided it,
and I furnished it. Mercy! how many
wives do that much for their husbands,
I'd like to know"
"Aye," said the husband, with pain
and bitterness in his tone, 81 know
that your father gave to you this
house, and that he furnished it for you;
and" he went on, his tone softening,
and his eyes growing moist, ''you
might make it the happies, and the
brightest home in the world if you
would. Surely, Della, there is love
enough between US"
He dared venture no more, and with
this he arose from the table, and lett
the house-laft his wife to weep and
repine as we have found her.
Della still sat in her chamber, red
eyed and sad, when she heard the ring
of the door-bell, and she had just time
to bathe and wipe her face when
Bridget came up with information
that gentleman was in the parlor
whc would see Mrs. Lenox.
Della went down, and met her faith
er-her dear, good, kind father, whom
she had not seen for almost two years,
as he had been away in distant part
of the country. She flew to his arms,
and wept tears of joy upon his bosom.
No matter about what was said
during the first hour of the reunion.
Mr.. Morton-such had been Delia's
maiden name-was man of keen
penetration, and quick to comprehend
and he had discovered from the first
that all was not right in the house of
his daughter. AT length he approach
ed the subject, and the very tender
ness of his manner touched his child
to the heart, and caused her to burst
into tears.
And then, taking her to his arms,
he gained from her the story of her
suferings. He heard the story as she
told it, and he interpreted it by the
touchstone of his own Interpretation.
He knew his daughter well; and he
believed that he knew her husband f;
and in the end, after much question
ing, he arrived at the truth.
Certainly" he said, holding his
child upon his knee, "this cottage, and
its furniture, We're yours; but a cot
tage, even though it be filled with
furniture, and filled with love, can
not be selfsupporting. Love gives
warmth, but there must be true devo-
ton behind it before it gives light
and life Now tell me, my child,
what have you done during the last
year towards supporting this house ?"
"What have I done Al have done
everything.'
'But achat?"
! And when Della tried to particular
ize she could name nothing. 1t was
glaringly apparent that she had not
done so much as would have support
ed herself alone.
And then the good man talked long
and earnestly with his daughter, urg'
ing her to give her whole energy to
the work of housekeeping.
at will not only be for the good Of
your husband" he said, in conclusion
''but it will be for your own good, and
for your own bodily health. | know
what Charles, ambition is. He wishes
to become partner in the store, and
TO that end he must have money.
Even though l were able and will
ing to advance that money, it would
not be so well for him, nor for you, as
it would be for you to earn and save
it for yourselves. Do you know, my
child, how well Charles loves you?"
She thought she knew.
"And," persued her father" II am
sure you love him"
She said she loved him with all hel
heart.
'"Then," continued Mr.. Norton
'let it be yours to make bright and
happy the home; and l will tell yor
hom it is to be done. You are young
and the duties of lite are before you
The day is for work, when the even
ing comes, if you have been true and
faithful, you may rest"
And he then, kindly and seriously
in paternal love and earnestness, gave
her his counsel and advice, and she
promised him, before she left his knee