Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-18


nine interests of all kinds The innate
sweetness Of Elias temper made her
take her auRt's gentle reproof in the
spirit of love that dictated it, and when
the parting cares was given she whis-
pered:
"pll try, auntie, 10 make home more
attractive for Will"
She was fast asleep with Harry nestled
in her arms when VIII came home, but
the touch of his lips upon her cheek
aroused her
/" Did you have pleasant EVENING""
she asked Aunt Mary was here and
left her love for you"
Charley and 7 played awhile, and
then Mira Creighton dropped in and
sang for u.s."
Z" She seems to drop in pretty often"
" She is so intimate with the girls"
4 never thought her singing very
wonderful"
You sing far better. But when I
can't get any better | like hers"
1t was not the first time VIII had told
the same story, and strong in her new
resolutions Ella determined upon good
hour of practice early in the morning.
Jane was rather amazed at the clean
| ing the sitting-room received at the
hands of herself and her mistress. The
cradle was banished into the adjoining
bedroom, where baby could still be heard
if he Weakened; the ire-shovel assumed
| it's legitimate place at the hearth. It
rather astonished Ella herself to find
| how many useless articles were about, !"
and how universally everything was in
the wrong place. But by noon the room
was bright as hands could make it, and
after luncheon man was sent for to
| tune the piano, closed for nearly year
The six o'clock dinner brought Will
Ella was in the hall as he entered, and
led the way to the dining-room, where
CHEEKY brightness reigned.
Company, Nell?" queried VIII, his
eyes resting upon his wife. The golden
hair-carefully curled-was gathered in
to a mass with a comb, and fell in pro-
fusion of natural ringlets upon Elias
shoulders, the waving bands drawn back
from her face. Her dress, of soft blue
merino, was finished with dainty rutfies
at throat and wrists, and Wills last
Christmas gift, set of canoes, held col
lar, cuffs, and dropped from the delicate
ears. Not costly dress, but carefully
adjusted, fitting exquisitely, and certain
ly most becoming.
=" No company" said Ella, "but our
selves, unless you count Harry. I have
made you some of the bread-sauce you
are SO fond of, Will"
"You're a jewel. Only don't make
yourself sick in tie hot kitchen, Nell!
You are not very strong, you know"
Nell bIushed at that, for it reminded
her of many a neglected duty, many a
lazy hour, for which the plea had been
offered in excuse
"That did not hurt me-" she said, for
/ was in the kitchen making some lemon
pies"
"Lemoa-pies! You make my mouth
water. Nobody else can make them to
taste like yours"
/ So the dinner was success. Ella was
good cook, and Will was never sparing
of praise for the dainties she provided.
But she had left the kitchen to Jane so
long that her husband had ceased to look
for the dainty trif1es that had graced his
table before Elias health had become
feeble
Dinner over Will, in great good humor,
went to the sitting-room. The open
CRATE threw ruddy glow upon the bright
surroundings, and his face lighted with
pleasure. But the large eyes fairly
danced as he cried: "The piano open! I
began to think it was buried forever!"
"Not quite!" said Ella, laughing, and
yet blushing brightly; q thought from
what you said last night you would like
to hear me sing again"
''You bet | would" was the emphatic,
if not very elegant, response.
Lets play dominoes, then, till / can
sing. 1t is too soon after dinner now.
Be merciful, for am out of practice, re-
member"
Here Jane came in with Master Harry,
ready for bed, and after soft kisses he
was taken into the next room and put
into his cradle.
"1ou will come up if he cries, Jane"
Ella said, and took down the domino box.
& think Harry is old enough now to
spare me in the evening"" she added
in explanation.
'Little monkey, how he grows" was
the reply, "Come, what is your high
est?"
Cunningly Ella kept up the interest of
the game till nearly nine o'clock, when
VIII certainly would not go out. Then
she sang for him. Her voice, clear and
sweet, had been highly cultivated, and
she was surprised to find how much
pleasure she felt herself in once more
exercising it.
Eleven o'clock chimed from the little
mantel clock when VIII was pleading for
"just one more" song, and Ella sang the
Goodnight" in answer.
"By Jove" cried VIII, :" I was to meet