The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-19


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
| lemoI-pies
Lemon. pies You make my mouth
water. Nobody else can make them to
taste like yours "
| So dinner was success. Ella was a
good cook, and Will was never tparing
of praise for the dajnties she provided.
But she had left The kitchen to Jane so
long that her husband had ceased to
look for the dainty trifies that had
graced his table before Elias health
had become feeble.
Dinner over, Will, in great good hu-
| NOR, went to the sitting room. The
open CRATE threw a ruddy glow upon
the bright surroundings, and his face
lighted with pleasure. But the large
eyes fairly danced as he cried "The
piano open began to think it was
buried forever p
"Not quite !" said Ella, laughing,
and yet blushing brightly " [ thought
from what you said last night you
would like to hear me sing again =
"You bet I would r' was tue en-
phatic, if not very elegant, response
"Let's play dominoes, then, till [
can sing. It is too soon after dinner
now. Be marciful, for I am ont of
practice, remember.
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.
"You will come up if he cries, Jane, !"
Ella said, and took down the domino
box. "I think Harry is old enough
now to spare me in the evening, she
added in explanation.
Little monkey, how ne grows !"
was the reply. "Come, what is your
highest ?"
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 culti-
waited, and she was surprised to find
now much pleasure she felt herself in
once more exercising it.
Eleven o'clock chimed on the little
mantel clock when Will was pleading
for "iust one more" song, and Ella
sang the "Good- night" in answer.
"By Jovew cried Will, "I was to
meet Charley at the club-room at eight.
Where has the evening gomez"
"Never mind! Any other evening
will do as we'll, said Ella.
The next day was stormy. Ella ap-
peared at breakfast with neatest of col
lars and cuffs, hair in a knot like bur-
nished gold, and face like sunbeam.
Will, who had eaten in solitary state
for more mornings than his wife cared
to count, was as attentive as lover.
His parting kiss accompanied the
words:
"Take nap, Nell, this morning. We
must keep you well, you know! I
haven't enjoyed my breakfast SO much
for year.
"Don't forget the new songs, Will.
II you will send them round I will try
them over before you come home"
"I'll send them then as 7 go down
town."
Wet and dismally muddy Will came
in from February storm Of rain upon
melting snow. Ella was waiting for
him, and drew him into the bedroom.
Before the fire hung a dressing gown
of bright cashmere faced with blue silk,
while under the dry, warm socks pair
of gorgeous slippers were toasting.
GOOD gracious Nell, where did
those come from?" said Will, hastily
drawing off his soaked boots.
''It is your birthday. Have you for
gotten? I bought those to-day for
you"
"Out in all this rain ?"
"I did Dot walk much. Try them
''Fine as Turkl" said Will, twisting
before a mirror to see how the dressing
gown fitted.
"Now come and have some hot soup.
I made it."
"see here, Nell, amt you doing too
much?" -..-.--a
I, "Not bit. [ needed q good toast
ing over the fire after being out and I
took it over soup and pudding in the
kitchen, instead of over novel here.
That is all the difference. Jane will
ring the tongue ont of that bell if we
don't hurry. That is the third time
she has summoned u.s."
Dinner oyer, the new songs were
tried, few games of checkers pre-
ceding the music Then there was
some animated chat about a new busi-
ness interest Of which Will spoke. and
Ella confessed to having read the
paper. It was one of her old customs
resumed, for Will had dearly liked TO
discuss the days news with her in the
evening. She had g bright intelligence
and could converse well on the inter-
ests of the day, but novels had su.
perseded newspapers while she ''waa
not very strong"
Again eleven O'Clock struck before
Will knew the evening was half gone.
Charley will think have deserted
him, >" he said but slippers and
dressing-goWn are too comfortable to
be easily resigned"
Ella softly s'roked the hair of a
head resting upon the back of the
great arm chair as Will spoke. A
strong arm encircled her and she was
drawn te her husbands knee.
"Little woman" he said ten1erly,
81 cannot tell you how glad am you
are we'll again. 1t was awfully dismal
Sc eeing you always in the direiul wrap
per. But" and man-like ne hesitated
:" suppose ought 10 have stayed
at home more 7"
"You will now?" she said anxiously.
where can find so pleasant a
place." he said, with loving fervor, "or
SO precious companion ?"
It was nearly month later that Aunt
Mary s1aandine ON nr,orsrnrr Nth WINS