Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-02-25

HiAo ln.oieoSS VI al ANUS. lh0 Ahh".C
sweetness of. Elias Temper made her
take her aunts gentle reproof in the
spirit of love that dictated i, and md, when
the parting caress. was given, she
whispered:
''I'll try, auntie, 70, make bone 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.
'sDid you have 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. y
'She is SO intimate with, the. girls. p"
81 never thought her singing very
wonderful MEts..E
You sing far better. But when |
can't get any better, like hers"
1t 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
bed room, where baby could still be
heard if he wakened; the fire shovel
assumed its legitimate place at the
hearth. 1t rather astonished Ella
herself to find how many useless articles
were "ahout," and how universally
everything was in the wrong place
But by noon the room was bright as
hands could make it, and after luncheon
a man was sent for to tune the piano,
closed fer nearly year.
The six o'clock dinner brought Will.
Ella was in the ball as he entered, and
led the way to the dining room, where
a CHEEKY brightness reigned.
company, Nell9' queried Afnl,eyes
resting upon his wife. The golden
hair, carefully curled, was gathered
into mass with comb, and fell in a
profusion of natural ringlets upon Elias
shoulders, the waving bands drawn
back from her face. Her dress. of soft
blue merino, was finished with dainty
uff1es at throat and wrists, and Wills
last Christmas gift, set of canoes, held
collar, cuffs, and aropped from the
delicate ears. Not costly dress, but
carefully adjusted, fitting zexqpisitely,
and certainly most becoming.
"No company" said Ella, but
ourselves, unless YOU count Harry. l
have made you some of the bread
sauce you are so fond of, VIII
"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 neglected duty, many
lazy hour for which the aaea had been
offered in excuse.
ssThat did not hurt me-" said she,
'1or I was in the kitchen making some
lemon pies"
'Lemon pies! You make my mouth
water Nobody else can make them to
taste like yours J"
So the dinner was success. Ella
was a good cook, and Will was neyer
sparing of praise for the dainties she
provided. Bug she mad left the kitchr
en- to Jane so long that her husband
had ceased to look for the dainty tris
fles that had graced his table before
Elias health had become feeble.
Dinner over, Will in great good
humor, went to the sitting room. The
open CRATE through 9 ruddy glow upon
the bright surrounding, and his face
lighted with pleasure. But the large
eyes fairly danced as he cried: 'sThe
piano open! began to think it was
buried forever!"
''Not quite T. said Ella, laughing,
and yet blushing brightly; q thought
from what you said last night you
would like to hear me sing again."
"You bet woqlds" was the empha-
tic if pot very elegant response.
"Iet's play dominos then till can
sing. 1t is too soon after dinner now.
Be merciful, tor am opt 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 doyn the domino
box. 81 think Harry is old enough
now to spare me in the evening"" she
added in explanation.
"Little Monkey, how he grows!'
was the reply. Come, what is your
hignesti"
Cunnipgly Ella kept up the interest
of the game till nearly nine o'clock,
when, Will certainly would not 60 out.
Then she sang for him. Her voice, clear
and sweet, had been highly cultivated,
and she was surprised to find how much
pleasure she felt herself in once more
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