Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-05-29
Then they talked of other matters, of

plishments, of the fashions, of feminine
interests of all kinds. The innate sweet
ness of Elias temper made her take her
aunt's gentle reproof in the spirit OF
love that dictated it, and when the
parting caress was given she whispered:
"I'll try, auntie, to make home more
attractive for Will"
She was fast asleep with Harry
nestled in her arms when Will came
home, but the touch of his lips upon
her cheek aroused her.
"Did you have a pleasant evening" "
she asked. "Aunt Mary was here and
left her love for you"
"Charley and played awhile, and
then Mira Creighton dropped in and
sang for us!' ...
"She seems to drop in pretty often. !"
"She is so intimate with the girls
"I never thought her singing very
wonderful"
You sing far better. But when I
can't get any better, I like hers"
It was not the first time Will had
told the same story, and, strong in her
new resolutions, Ella determined upon
a 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 an adjoining
bedroom, where baby could still be
heard if he awakened; the ire-shovel
assumed it's legitimate place at the
hearth. 1t rather astonished Ella her
self 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 plano, 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
n CHEEKY brightness reigned.
Company, Nell? ?" queried Will, his
eyes resting upon his wife. The golden
hair carefully curled, was gathered into
o mass with a comb, and fell in q 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
ruffies at the throat and wrists, and
Wills last Christmas gift, set of ca
meos, held collar, cuffs and dropped
from the delicate ears. Not a costly
dress, but carefully adjusted, fitting ex-
quisitely and certainly most becoming.
"No company" said Ella, "but
ourselves, 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 the hot kitchen, Nell!
You are not very strong, you know"
Nell blushed at that, for it reminded
her of many a neglected duty, many n
lazy hour for which the plea had been
offered in excuse.
>hs That did not hurt me-" said she.
" for was in the Kitchen making some
lemon pies. !"
"Lemon pies! You make my mouth
water. Nobody else can make them to
taste like yours!' ..
So the dinner was q 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 trifes that
had graced his table before Elias health
had become feeble.
Dinner over. Will, in good humor,
went to the sitting-room. The open
CRATE threw ruddy glow upon the
bright surroundings, and his face
lighted with pleasure. But tho large
eyes fairly danced as he ried:-" The
piano open! 1 began to think it was
buried forever!"
" Not gutter said Ella, laughing and
yet blushing brightly; I 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 reply.
" Let's play donlinoes, then, till I
can sing. 1t is too soon after dinner
now. Be merciful, for T am out of
practice, remember"
Here Jane came in with master Har-
ry, ready for bed, and after soft kisses
iaO was eAhCA INV eu0 next room anu
put into his cradle.
:" You will come up if he cries, Jane"
Ella said, and took down the domino
box. "I think Harry is old enough to
spare me in the evening"" she added,
in explanation.
Little monkey, how he grows!"
was the reply. "Come, what is your
highest ?"
Cunningly Ella kept up the interest
of the game till nearly nine o'clock,
when Will certainly would not go out.
Then she sang for him. Her voice,
clear and sweet, had been highly cul-
tivated, and she was surprised to find
how much pleasure she felt herself in
exercising it.
Eleven chimed from the little clock
on the mantle, when VIII was pleading
for " just one more" song, and Ella sang
the GOOD night" in answer.