Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-02-11

Il
house and children to care for, but
apnk she would sacrifice her own com
fort for yours. So if you wish, Herbert
/ I viii come here permanently, to keet
things in order for you" :
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
strangle laugh at Herbert's expression
of utter horror and dismay.
4 " You are very kind, he faltered, the
instincts of a gentleman battling with
the strong desire to tell Lima she would
certainly drive him into lunatic asylum
by six months more of her model house.
keeping.
"Not at all. A man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs
all the aid and sympathy his family can
give him.
The last straw was laid upon the
camels back. Herbert spoke hotly
"You are entirely mistaken, Lima ]
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever man was blessed in wife, am
that man.
"You amaze NE, Herbert, Lima cried,
in wen-feigned establishment.
II do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly,
a model mother, and perfect home
angel-God bless her,'
Herbert, is that true! ?"
Certainly it is true"
81 cannot believe it - was the slow
response.
Cannot believe it, Whyl"
Because and Lima dwelt impress
lively upon every word during the nine
years Of your married life, though visit
ing here frequently, have never heard
You speak one word of encouragement or
praise to Essie. never saw one lock Of
appreciation or appreciation Of any effort
she made for your comfort upon your
face. Continual fault-fnding, constant
blame, have changed her from happy,
winsome girl to pale, careworn woman.
Even her last illness was but the un-
spoken despair of heart crushed under
a load of daily censure and constant
striving for the appreciation never given.
And you tell me now she has never failed
in her duty to you. There is grave
error somewhere, brother"
The sadly earnest tone, the face Of
thoughtful gravity, sent every word home
to Herbert Worthington's heart. He
spoke no word of self-defense as Lima
slowly left the room In the profound
silence that followed conscience reviewed
the past, and he knew that his sister had
spoken only the truth The habit of
fault-fnding meeting No resistance in
ESTES gentaeness had gained in force,
till all its mSnstrosity stood revealed in
the experience of the past month and
Lina's words
In the days when Essie lay dangerous
y i'll there had been ncsef-reproach like
this in her husband s sorrow- He had
given his wife o fair home, an ample
income, frequent social pleasure, many
costly gifts, and loved her faithfully
while poisoning her whole life.
"God hep me-" he whispered, Sc to
this faillt. Essie shall hear no
more fault-finding, and If Isee h<sr droop-
ing l will send her to mother and have
Lima here 20 keep house."
Never had wife anal mother warmer
welcome than greeted E,ssie- The chill
iren were unchecked in their loudest
of delight But Lima
had to run into the hall to hide her
merry eyes when Herbert, kissing Essie,
said:
"We must let mother have Lima now,
lear. She has been very kind and worked
hard for my comfort; but there is no
home fairy like my Essie.''
The quick, glad look in his wife's soft
eyes told Herbert one step had been
taken in the right direction. As
The days glided by, and Essie
found appreciation meeting every
effort to add to home comfort
a word of praise for every little triumph
Of cookery or needlework, her pale face
grew bright with happiness. Gradually
the careworn expression was obliterated
by one OF sweet content, and Herbert
found his own heart hghtened by the
cheerful voice, the sunny smile, the
bright eyes of the Essie he had wooed
years before.
And Lima, making visit six months
later, told her mother on her return ::
Herbert leaned his lesson by heart,
mother. He appreciates Essie now at
her value, and lets her knoy ii" -.