The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-04-22

Id it do you any
wou harm to receive
la little more attention from your
husband
| 20! of course not | wish he'd.try,
land Mrs. Harley laughed at the idea.
| Then you don,t think enough Of
yourself already and nothing would
make yeu vain | suppose,'
Madge colored, and all the more
when She perceived that William
Matson had came in quietly, and was
now standing behind JaneI's chair.
This, of course put an end to the
conversation. Madge retired to her
own home to think OF Janet's words,
and to confess secretly that they
were wise.
Hours passed before John Harley
returned home. He was man Of
good abilities, and well to do in the
world; and having married Madge
because be truly loved her, he had
expected to have a happy home.
But partly because he was reserved
and sensitive, and partly because
Madge feared to make him vain, they
had grown cold toward each other,
so cold that John began to think the
ale house a more comfortable place
than his own freside
That night the rain fell in torrents,
the winds howled, and il was not
until the midnight hour had ar
rived that Harley left the public
house and FASTENED toward his cot
tage. He was wet through when be
at length crossed the threshold he
was, as he grutfiy muttered, used TO
that , but be was not used to the
tone and look with which his wife
drew near TO welcome him, nor to
find warm clothes by cracking fire,
and slippers on the hearth nor to
hear no reproach for late hours, aud
neglect, and dirty footmarks, as he
sat in his arm chair. Some change
had come to Madge he was very
sure. She wore a dress he had
bought her years ago, with q neat
linen collar round her neck, and had
cap. trimmed with white ribbons
on hsr head.
You're smart, Madge,' he exclaim-
ed at last, when be had stared at her
or some little time in silence: Who
mas been here worth dressing for to
nigbt?'
No one until you came said
Madge, half laughing.
Il! Nonsence YOU don't dress for
me-. cried John.
You won't believe it, perhaps
but did. l have been talking TO
Mrs. Mstson this eEening, and she
mas given me some very good advice
So now, John, what would you
like for your supper!
John, who was wont to steal to
the shelf at night and content himself
with anything he could find, thought
Madges offer too excellent to be refus-
ed, so very soon a large bowl of
chocolate was steaming on the table |
Then his wife sat down, for q wonder, |
by his side, and talked a little, and |
listened, aud looked pleased, when |
at last, as if be could not help it, he /
said, Dear old Madge.'
That was enough her elbow some
tow found its way to the arm of bis
great chair, and she was quietly look
ing at the FIRE. After q while John
spoke again
'Madge dear, do you remember the
old DAYS when we used to sit side by
side in your mothers kitehen?'
Yes
i was young man then, Msdge
md, as they told me, handsome now
[ am growing older, palmer, duller.
Then you-you loved me; do you
owe me stlllI'
She looked up in his face, and her
eyes answered him. Itwas ike GO
ng back to the old days TO feel his
Irms around her as her head lay on ,
lis shoulder, and TO hear once again ,
he kind words meant for her ear +.
alone
She never once asked if this would
make him vain > she knew, by in !.
tinct, that it was making him wise,
. more thoughtful, more earnest .
learted man. And when after a
Isppy silence, he took down the
Bible, and read a chapter, as he had
'een wont to read 10 her mother in !.
ormer times, she bowed her head ,
md prayed. |,
Yes prayed-for pardon, through
he blood of Jesus Christ-for
trength to fulfill every duty in the
uture-for the all-powerful influence
+ the Spirit, for blessings on her
usbaud eyermore.