Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-08


be told, he had thought more that one
that forenoon of his wife's request; nc
that he thought of granting it, but that h
expected that she would, as he termed II
'ssulk over it,
II say, boys" he said, as they went int
the cool, north room to their dinner. II
don't feel much here as it did down in TIN
meadow. A woman has an easy time 0
| it they don't know what hot weather.is.
Mrs. Thompson, waiting on the tabl
with scarlet face, did not reply; bu
Hubbard gave Jones a queer look out o
the corner of his eye, as he half glanced
at her. ~ $3.50 .il sE'H
ssWhy didn't you set the butter in TIN
stove you mig Int as well. don't believ'
there is any need Of having the butter lik'
this, if it is warm weather, +" he growled.
81 took it out of the cellar when you
came in; but / will go down, and get some
more, if you think I'd better,'' was thu
pleasant reply.
s'No, never mind. Well, I declare !
Why didn't you boil this meat ? It's al
ldlO.CtO d lOCh. 1NOU ultiCi liEAO oiieeo AAese
at you house. Hubbard. Your wife knows
how to cook adinner that is fit for king .
II tried to have it nice, Robert" Mrs
Thompson said, struggling hard to choke
down rising sob, as well as an angry
| word.
The men did not speak, and Mr.. Thompson
finished his dinner with a thoughtful face.
By and by he grew to watching his wife's
face; there was something in it he could
not understand. He looked down at the
mulberry and white-it did look old and
dingy beside the snowy table-cloth-he
wondered he had never noticed it BEFORE
He went out into the kitchen-how hot
and sitting it was A vague idea that it
wasn't such comfortable place after all
fitted through his mind. He went out to-
wards the barn the sun was hot, but there
was fresh breeze blowing from the south,
and the men were lounging in the shadow
of the barn.
IL never pitied a woman so in my life, y
Hubbard was saying; ''she works like a
slave and does not even get a thank ye'
for it,
Shed never ought to married Bob
Thompson replied Jones, "a delicate,
sensitive, little thing like her. However,
he won't make money out of her blood and
bones many years. [ never saw woman
run down so fast. She looks as faded as
the old house that hasn't seen drop of
paint since old Grandfather Thompson had
it fixed up for his second wife,
ssAnd Jennie used to like nice things so
we'll She'd better have married Squire
Burnham-I wonder if she isn't sorry
Was she? The thought came crushing
like bolt of fire through the heart and
brain of Robert Thompson. She might
have married Burnham, he knew. And
then remembered how proud he had been
that she turned from the wealthy young
squire, to marry him, and to come to the
mother. And how tenderly she had done
it, tool He could bear it no longer. He
stole noislessIy away from the unconscious
takers, and started at quick pace down
the street.
Mrs. Thompson had washed and put
away the last dish, and with a weary step
had taken down the broom, when the sud-
den sound of wheels coming into the yard
sent her to the door.
GIVE brought down that ware, Mrs.
yer, springing to the ground, and lifting a
large basket carefully from the wagon.
II didn't order them, Mr.. Grover,o she
gasped in frightened voice. II only said
perhaps, L"
"Oh, it's all right. MI. Thompson came
up this noon and ordered them. thought
you didn't send him, for he didn't seem tC
know what he wanted, only he gave me
ten dollars and told me to bring what was
necessary. I have brought you a tea and
dinner set, including three dozen plates
If there is anything you don't like, I'll
take it again and make it all right"
''Oh, shall like them, know she
said, trying hard to control her voice.
"Well, I'll leave the basket, and Robert
can bring it up some time,'' he said, spring.
ing up into the wagon and driving off. -
Then Jane Thompson sat down on the
floor beside the basket of crockery, anC
cried as if her heart would break. They
were magical tears, too, for they washed
all the WEAKNESS and despair from hel
eyes and heart. She forgot that she was
tired, OF that the day was hot, but went tt
unpacking and washing her new treasures
singing softly to herself all the while. She
put some nice, clean papers on the shelves
and then she folded some and cut them in
scallops, and put them over the edges, and
then she arranged her beautiful ware with
the dropping sprays of convolvulus ant
fuehias, standing off every few moments
to admire it. doubt if Mrs. Squire Burn
ham was ever SO entirely happy in her life
| She had got it all arranged, and stood il
the pantry door, with a bright, happ.
smile in her eyes and on her lips, when {
voice-it was triffe husky-said, close be
side her: n
"What is it, Jennie % (he' used to cal
her that in old days, before hardness or in
difference came between them.
30, Robert!" taking step toward him
He opened his arms and drew her close tt
his heart, kissing her as fondly and tender
ly as he ever had in the days of their court
ship.
Il have been a brute, little wife," h
whispered huskily; ''can you ever forgiv
me ?''
'Forgive you? o, Robert never wa
SO happy inmy life 1 have been to blame
too; / haven't"
eyes, you have!" he interrupted, 'syou'v
been an angel compared to me. I've mad
a slave of you, you shan't work so an
more. jones' Laura is coming up to-mor
| low. to HELM YOU till after having. and the