Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-05-29
Ella Goodwin's Trial.

OOluS OuI uSuiu!
Ella Goodwin spoke in fretful tone,
and her pretty face was puckered up
into dismal frown.
81 promised Charley would step
round for an hour or two and have a
game of dominoes."
Anything to get away from home!"
But Will Goodwin was already out of
hearing. His wife, after a fretful re-
mark, addressed to the walls, to the eff
feet that she was q fool for ever getting
married, took novel from under the
sofa cushion and was soon reading with
an air of absorbed interest. Baby woke
and made the fact shrilly known. An
impatient toss threw the book down
again, and baby was soothed to sleep
with gentleness strangely at variance
with the jerk that had put the book
upon the table.
When he slept once more in the era
die, Ella yawned and took up her book.
But before she had opened itthere came
tap at the door, and an elderly lady
with sweet, fair face came in.
Alone" she said, as Ella eagerly
welcomed her and took off her wraps.
I am always alonel Will gets his
meals here!' was the bitter reply. "He
goes to the store as soon as he swallows
his breakfast, and he is always out in
the evening. Now he is with his broth
er playing dominoes.
Don't you play dominocs?"
Yes"
~~," I'd keea him ct home to play"
He would not care to stay. l s.i;.
pose all young married men tire of
home, Aunt Mary?"
"Not all! But you speak in a bitter
tone that pains me, Ella. 1t is not like
you.'
CT feel bitter! I have no one to talk
to but you, and I never complained be-
fore, but I am tired of being alone all
the time. Baby fills the day, but nov
els don't fill the evening""
Ella, since you have spoken to me
will you let me give you word of ad-
vice ?"
You know you may"
Look in the mirror, dear, then look
round the roomr' Ella obeyed. In
the mirror she saw slender figure
robed in a morning wrapper, without
any collar and cuffs, and not precisely
clean; face pretty and expressive,
with wreath Of golden hair loosely
knotted into comb and decidedly un-
tidy. The room, handsomely fur
nished sitting-room, was begging for o
broom as eloquently as dusty carpet
could beg. Harrys cradle in one cor
ner balanced disordered work table in
another. The elegant center-table was
piled with miscellaneous articles, among
which bowl Of bread and milk and q
fire-shoyel figured conspicuously.
A crimson flush rose on the young
wife's cheek. ~
-" What's the use of having things
nice when nobody sees them but me,
or dressing when Will is never at
homer"
He might be at homo more if
things were nice and you were dressed" :"
There was silence for a few moments.
Then Ella spoke:
I'll try it, auntie. suppose it is
partly my fault. Before Harry was
born he was at home more, but I have
been careless since then"
(" You are not strong, know" Aunt
Mary said, very kindly, "and baby is a
care, but / would try and be dressed in
the evening and have the room cheerful.
Your piano looks rs if it was never
openedp'
I" 1t never isl"
Don't you have time to practice p
can't plead want of time, auntie.
Jane is one of the best OF servants, and
time hangs upon my hands. am glad
you came in. believe want moral
shaking"