Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-05-29
Never mind! Any other evening
will do as WE'LL" said Ella.

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, hair in knot of 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 a lover.
His parting kiss accompanied these
words:
Take nap, Nell, this morning.
We must keep you well, you knowl 1
haven't enjoyed my breakfast SO much
for year,
"Don't forget the new songs, Will.
If you will send them round I will try
them over before you come home"
"I'll send them as soon as I 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 dressing gown of
bright cashmere lined 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.
1T is your birthday; have you for
gotten? 1 bought those to-day for
you"
"Out in all this rain ?"
"I did not walk much. Try them
on, Will"
"Fine as Turkr said Will, twist
ing before a mirror to see how the
dressing-gown fitted. ...
CHOW come have some hot soup
made"
"See here, Nell, amt you doing too
much ?"
"Not bit. I needed q good roast
ing over the fire after being out, and I
took it over soup and pudding in the
kitchen instead of novel here. That
is all the difference. Jane will ring the
tongue out of that bell if we don't hur-
ry. That is the third time she has sum-
moned u.s."
Dinner over, the new songs were
tried, few games of checkers preced-
ing the music. Then there was some
animated chat about new business in
terest of which Will spoke and Ella
confessed to having read about. IL
was one of her old customs resumed,
for Will had dearly liked to discuss the
days news with her in the evening.
She had bright intelligence and could
converse well on the interest of the day,
but novels had superseded newspapers
while she "was not very strong"
Again eleven o'clock struck before
Will knew the evening was half gone.
Charley will think I have deserted
him." he said, but slippers and dress
inggowns are too comfortable to be
easily resigned
Ella softly stroked the hair of head
resting upon the back OF the great
arm-chairas Will spoke. A strong arm
encircled her, and she was drawn to
her husbands knee.
e. ~ isgfe.n' sss:s
81 cannot tell how glad am that you
are we'll again. 1t was awfully dismal
seeing you always in that direful wrap
per. But" and man-ike he hesitated
=" I suppose ought to have stayed at
home more"
" You will now?" she said, anxiously.
Where can I find so pleasant a
place." he said, with loving fervor, sc or
so precious companion?'
1t was nearly month later that
Aunt Mary, spending an evening with
Wills mother, heard Charley grumb-
lingly declar~;
"There is no getting Will to go any
where nowadays. He sticks at home
as if he were glued there. went round
there Saturday. Jane was out, Nell
lying on the lounge with headache,
and Will reading to her while herocked
the cradle with one foot. 'Can't leave,
he told me; Nell requires oil my at
tention, for I can't afford to have her
sick again!"
And so Aunt Mary knew that Ella
had "tried" to make home pleasant,
and succeeded.