The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1875-03-11

Two days after a formidable dry-goods
bill was presented at the store, and Lima
explained it in this wise:
You said, Herbert, that Louie hadn't
a decent stitch, and you wished some
body would see to her, so | bought her
a complete outfit. could not see any
fault myself, but of course | got more
expensive articles, as you did not like
those already. | am glad you called my
attention to the poor neglected child
Poor, neglected child = echoed as
tonishcd Herbert. why, Lima, Essie
fairly slaves her life out over these child
rem. am sure | never see any better
dressed or heater.
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders.
A month passed. Essie gained strength
in the genial atmosphere surrounding
Louie and mother, while Lima ruled Her
bert's house with rod of iron. Her
bert began to experience sick longing
for ESsie's gentle presence Lima took
him so very literally in all he said, and
! yet be could not rcbuke her for doing
exactly what he openly wished.
\ chair with 4 tiny spot Of dirt being
declared absolutely filthy, was upholster-
cd and vanished 1T a cost Of eight dol
lars. 4 dozen new shirts, ESTES last
labor OF love, being SAID to set like meal
bags were bestowed upon the gardner
and new set sent from the furnishing
store. Harry's blocks were burned at
The kitchen fire, when Herbert, stepping
upon one, said he would not have such
ruhLialr ia ,hO bUuse. Every window
was opened after II pettish declaration
that tAe room was as hot as an oveD,'
and an hour later the steve was fired up
TO smothering heat because he declared
it cold enough to freeze polar bear
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt To correct all shortcomings and
put The housekeeping upon perfect
basis, Lima, in one month nearly doubled
her brothers expenses, and drove him
to the verge Of distraction, keeping &C
curate account Of every complaint.
But Essic, we'll and strong again, was
coming home. On the day OF her cx-
pected arrival, Lima, with a solemn face
invited her brother into the sitting-room
for few moments ofprirr:c conversa-
ton.
Herbert SIZE said very gravcly, q
have proposition to make to you. You
are my only brother, and | need not tell
You | love you dearly. 1t has really
gricved me 10 the heart to see how much
there is to find fault wiki in your beau
tiful home Herbert twisted himself
uneasiiy in his chair, but Lima continu-
cd:
Yen know that mother is very de-
pendent upon me, Louie having tho
house and children TO care for, but !
think she would sacrifice her own com
fort for yours. SO if you wish Herbert,
l will come here permanently to keep
things in order for you.
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
strange u laugh at IIerbert's expression
of utter horror and dlsmay.
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 asy-
lum by SIX months more of her model /
housekeeping.
Not at all A man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs all
the and and sympathy his family can
give him.
The last straw was laid upon the cam
ELS back. Herbert spoke hOtly.
You are entirely mistaken, Lima. |
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever a man was blessed in L wife, |
am that man..
you amaze me, Herbert Lima cried,
in we'll feigned astonIshment.
4 10 h., Oh Ia
prised. Essle Is gentle loving, orderly,
a model mother, and II perfect home AN
eel-God bless her
Herbert, is that true?
Certainly it is true
Il cannot believe it,. was the slow
response.
Cannot believe it. Why?
Because and Lima dwclt impress
sivoly upon every word during the
nine years of your married life, though
visiting here frequently, | have never
heard You speak one word Of encourage
ment or praise to Essc. | never saw
one look of appreciation or appreciation
of any effort she made for your comfort
upon your tacc. Continual fault-fndlng,
blame, have changed her from .
n happy, winsOme girl TO a pale, care I
worn woman. Even her last illness was
but the unSpoken despair Of heart
crushed under a load of daily ccnsure
and constant STRIVING for appreciation
never given. And YOU tell me now she ,
has never failed 10 DO her duty to YOU
There is grave error somewhere, broth .
err
The sadly earnest tone, the face of
thoughtful gravity, sent every word
home to Herbert Worthington's heart.
Tie spoke no word of self.defense Is
Lima slowly left the room. ~ the pro-
found silence that followed, conscience
reviewed the past, and be knew that his
sister had spoken only the truth: The
habit of finding fault meeting no resist
lncc in ESTES gent!eness, had gained in
orcc, ti!l all ITS monstrosity stood re-
rea!ed in the experience of the past
month and Lina's words.
In the days when Essic lay danger
ously i'll there had been no sclt-reproa-
ike his in her husbands sorrow. he
lad given his wife fair home, an am
BE income, frequent social pleasures,
many costly gifts, and loved her faith
ulIy while poisoning her whole ii;c.
God help me, he whispered, ito con
NOR this c,nlt Essia sLalI hsar no NOR.