The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-03-18

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 l
can't get any better, like hers"
1t was not the first time Will had
lold the same story, and strong in her
new resolutions, Ella determined upon
a good hour of practice, early next
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
bed room, where baby could still be
heard if he wakened the fire shovel
assumed its legitimate place ar the
hearth. 1t rather astonished Ella her.
self to find out how many useless arti-
cles were ''about," and how universal
ly everything was in the wrong place.
But by noon the room was as 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 Will, his
aUoS rocfipn nnon III fa rrho m,
hair, carefully curled, was gathered
into a mass with a comb and fell in a
profusion of natural ringlets upon FL
las shoulders,t the waving bands drawn
back from her face. He dress, of soft
blue merino, was finished with dainty
ruffics at throat and wrists and Wills
last Christmas gift, a set of canoes,
held collar, cuffs. and dropped from
the delicate ears. Not costly dress,
but carefully adjusted, fitting sxquis-
itely. and certainly most becoming.
"No company" said Ella, 'but our
selves, unless you count Harry. have
made you some of the bread sauce you
are so fond of, Willw
"You're 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 neglected duty, many a
lazy hour for which the plea had been
offered in excuse.
"That did not hurt me-" said she,
''for 1 was in the kitchen making some
'Lemon-pies! You make my mouth
water. Nobody else can make them
to taste like yours!"
So the dinner was success. Ella
was a good cook, and Will was never
sparing of praise for the dainties she
provided. But she left the kitchen to
Jaue so long that her husband had
ceased to look for dainty trifies
that had graced his table before Elias
health had become feeble.
Dipner over, Will in great good hu-
NOR, went to the sitting-room. The
open CRATE threw a rudy glow upon
the bright surroundings, and his face
lighted with pleasure. But the large
eyes fairly danced as he cried: "The
piano open! 1 began to think it was
buried forever"
"Not quite!" said Ella, laughing,
and yet blushing; 81 thought from
what you said last night you would
like to hear me sing again!"
"You bet 1 would?" was the en-
phatic if not very elegant response.
''Let's play dominoes then till 1 can
sing. 1t is too soon after dinner now.
Be merciful for am out of practice.
Here Jane came in with Master Har-
~. 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. II think Harry is old enough
now to spare me in the evening"" she
added i'll explanation.
"Little Monkey, how he grows"
was the reply. "Come what is your
hi highest ?"
Cunningly Ella kept up to the inter-
est 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.
.ivated, and she was surprised to find
how much pleasure she felt herself in
once more exercising it. ...
EleYen O'Clock chimed from the lit
tie mantcl clock when Will was plead
ing for Just one more" song, and Ell
la sang the Good night in answer.
"By Jove!" cri ed Will, Il was to
meet Charley at the club-room at eight.
Where has the evening gomez"
"Never mind, any other evening
will do as WELL" said Ella.
The next day was stormy. Ella ap-
peared at breakfast with the neatest of
collars and cuffs,and hair in knot like
FURNISHED gold, and face like sun
beam. Will, who had eaten in soIi-
larry state for more mornings than his
wife cared to count, was as attentive
rs lover. His parting kiss accom-
panied the words:
"Take nap, Nell, this morning.
We must keep you well, you know
haven't enj Dyed my breakfast so
much for year.
Don't forget the new songs, Will.
It YOU will send them round | will try
hem over before you come home"
I'll send them then as l go down
.own."
Wet and dismally muddy Will came
n from February storm of rain upon
Melting snow Ella was waiting for