Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-05-20

Suuuen lmpuiso W hei Iiicu ""be's'""'
she stitched away for IN hour and saN
the carmen. completed, and neatly fold
ing ii away she sought her much needed
rest.
Sabbath morning Mr.. Wilton put on
warm, new undershirt. and saw his little
ones looking fresh and sweet in theil
new garments; bat he saw not that the
fingers which had SO patiently wrought
out these changes. were that morning
scarcely strong enough to fasten the gar
ments of the little ones about their chubby
little forms.
Spring came. bright and joyous s'
ever, dotling the prairies with flowers
and filling upland and valley with floods
ur melody. Mrs. Wilton had been grow
ng thinner and paler all winter, and was
now scarcely able TO be about the house.
The doctor had recommended rest-bul
how cuud she rest with so much lying
undone about herg
I'll could 90 away Tor awhile" she
said, one morning, when she was feeling
weaker than usual. III could only 20
homo 10 mother for visit, | know she
could nurse mo up all right agsin," and
The pale lips quivercd ~isibly.
Il wish you could, I'm sure" replied
her hughapd but, Susan, ! don't see
how can afford il. ght soil some ol
my stock. but prices are SO low now. i!
wouldn't pay at all. couldn't get much
more lur them calves than give Tor 'em
la,t fall. alter keeping EN- all winter.
Aud bu! ing my corn planter about took
tli my cash"
Mrs Wilton did not reply. Indeed, ]
doubt very much if she heard his remarks
at all. for she was dreaming OF The old
homestead. with its wide gables aud
large, comfortable roomS-of tho stately
naples. that she knew were now putting
out their young blossoms from their
candclabra shaped limbs-of tho sloping g
meadow. with its violet. covered hillsides
--ol the robins nest in the cherry tree.
and. above all. of the sweet. old face that
loomed up through all. and with out
stretched arms yearned 10 embrace her
tired birding in the home-nest,
John Wilton glanced at her rs he went
out OF the door. and mistook the flush OF
anticipated Joy for the bloom OF health.
aud went off saying; 81 guess she'll get
better as the days get warmer will
try 10 hire somebody for her this summer.
II can do nothing for her" said Dr.
Graves, 10 Mr.. Wilton, who had followed
him out OF Mrs. Wilton's sick chamber.
Nothing for her? Ny God. doctor I!
You don't moan she is past all help" and
John WiIlon's heart seemed TO stand still
for moment.
IL did not say she was past help ie-
piled the doctor. The truth Is, Mr..
Wihon. your wife is worked down; and
unless she has rest and plenty of it, she
will die. And. may as well say, she
will never get rest here. She must go
away where sho will have no care OF
house or family or she will die. You
may iind another wife but your children
will never find another mother" So
saying. the good doctor drove away.
The door WAS partly open. and Mrs.
/ Wilton hid heard. in her sick chamber.
the doctors last words. and her heart
gave great leap; which. undoubtedly.
would have created alarm Tor her had the
doctor known il.
Oh. il she could only 20 homo Home
TO the old homeslead-home TO mother
and rest, rest rest. Oh. how long it had
seemed since she realized the iull mean
! ing OF that word. Even while she lay
there she seemed TO hear her mothers
voice, and feel her soft hand caressing
| her. But the next moment came tho
realizing sense OF The impossibiity of
such happiness. How could she go with
tho children. now that she was weak and
how could she go without them? And
how could sho be spared TO go, and how
could John afford to let her go? All
hope seemed lost when she looked the
matter straight in The face. and she turn
ed her white face to the wall and shut
her eyes rs il to keep back the tears
which she felt were coming.
Meantime. John Wilton was thorough.
ly aroused. He stood for n long time
Just where the doctor had left him. After
time, he started up us if seized by
new impulse and went into the house. to
his wiie's sick room. Mrs. Wilton was
lying very still, with her face turned
from him. lie went softly up to her bed.
side, to see if she was sleeping. A ray
OF sunlight, coming through the torn
window.shade, revealed tear. trembling
beneath the half closed lids. and John
Wilton turned away with sigh, SO deep.
that his wife turned feebly on her pillow.
and without opening her eyes, asked:
What is it, John? What is ng?,
"Iam wrong, Susie. dear! !"
1t had been many day since Mrs.
Wilton had heard him call her Susie, and
it was no wonder that she opened her
eyes wide in astonishmen..
He was at her bedside now, trembling
like q convict.
..Do Won hate me, Susie pn