Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-03-05

month passed. Essie gained strength In
the genial atmosphere surrounding Louie
and her mother, while Lima ruled Her
bert's house with rod of iron. Herbert
began TO experience sick longing for Es-
sizes gentle presence. Lima took him so
very literally in all he said, and yet he
could not rebuke her for doing exactly
what he openly wished.
A chair with tiny spot Of dirt being de-
clared absolutely filthy, was upholstered
and vanished at cost of eight dollars.
A dozen new shirts, Essie's last labor Of
love, being said to "set like meal-bags,"
were bestowed upon the gardener, and
new set sent from furnishing store. Har-
ry's blocks were burned at the kitchen fire
when Herbert, stepping upon one, said he
"would not have such rubbish in the
house." Every window was opened afler
pettiSh declaration that the "room was as
hot as an oven, and an hour later the stove
was fired up to smothering heat because he
declared IL "cOld enough TO freeze a polar
bear"
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt TO correct all short comings and
put the housek eeping upon perfect basis,
Lima in one month nearly doubled her
brothers expenses, and drove him to the
verge Of distraction, keeping accurate ac-
count of every complaint
But Essie, well and strong again, was
coming home. On the day Of her expected
arrival Lima, with a solemn face, invited
her brother into the sitting room for few
If 81 10
HERBERT" she said, very gravely, 81
have proposition to make TO you. You
are my only brother, and need not tell
you 1 love you very dearly. 1t has really
grieved me to the heart to see how much
there is TO find fault with in your beautiful
home" Herbert twisted himself uneasily
in his chair, but Lima continued:
"You know that mother is very depend
ent upon me, Louie having the house and
children to care for, but think she would
sacrifice her. own comfort for yours. So If
you wish, Herbert, will come here perm
anently, to keep things in order for you"
Here Lima was obliged TO pause and stran-
gle laugh at Her Dert's expression OF utter
horror and dismay.
"You are very kind" he faltered, the in
stincts OF a gentleman battling with the
strong desire to tell Lima she would GER
tainly drive him into a lunatic asylum by
six months more of her model housekeep-
ing.
mot at all. A man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs all
the aid aud sympathy his family can give
him."
The last straw was laid upon the camel's
back. Herbert spoke holly: "You are en-
tirely mistaken, Lima I have not made an
unfortunate marriage. If ever man was
blessed in a wife, am that man."
"You amaze me, Herbert" Lima cried in
well-feigned astonishment.
~ do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly, a
model mother, and a perfect home-angel-
God bless herl'
Herbert, is that true2"
Certainly it is true"
81 cannot believe it," was tie slow re-
sponse.
"Cannot believe il Why2"
"Because"-and Lima dwclt impressively
upon every word-"durng the nine years
Of your married life, though visiting here
frequently, l have never heard You speak
one word of encouragement or praise to
Essie. / never saw one look of approba-
ton or appreciation OF any effort she made
for your comfort upon your face. Contin-
ual fault finding, constant blame, have
changed her from happy, winsome girl to
pale, care worn woman. Even her last
illness was but the unspoken despair of
heart crushed under load of daily CEN
sure and constant striving for the appreca-
tion never given. And you tell me now
she has never failed in her duty to you.
There is a grave error somewhere"
The sadly earnest tone, the face of
thoughtful gravity, sent every word home
to Herbert Worthington's heart. He spoke
no word of self-defence as Lima slowly left
the room. In the profound silence that
followed, conscience reviewed the past, and
he knew that his sister had spoken only
the truth. The habit OF fault fipding,
meeting no resistance in Essie's gentleness,
had gained in force, till all its monstrosity
stood revealed in the experience of the past
month.
In the days when Essie lay dangerously
i'll there had been no sell-reproach like this
in her husbands sorrow. He had given
his wife fair home, an ample income, fire.
quent social pleasure, many costly gins,
and loved her faithfully, while poisoning
her whole life.
"God help me-" he whispered, "to con-
| quer this fanlt. Essie shall hear no more
fault-finding, and IL see her dropping
will send her TO her mother and have Lima
back"
| Never had wife and mother warmer
welcome than greeted Essie. The children
were nncheck ed in their loudest demonstra-
tions OF delight. But Lima had to rush in
to the hall TO hide her merry eyes when
Herbert, kissing Essie, said:
ave must let mother have Lima now,
dear. She has been very kind and work.
ed hard for my comfort; but there is no
home fairy like my Essie."
The quick, glad look in his wlfe's son
eyes told Herbert one step had been taken
in the right direction. AS the days glided
by, and Essie found appreciation meeting
every effort to add to home comfort, a word
of praise for every little triumph Of cook
cry or needlework, her pale face grew
bright with happiness. Gradually the
careworn expression was oblitorated by
one of sweet coalent, and Herbert found
his own heart lightened by the cheerful
voice, tho sunny smile, the bright eyes OF
Essie he had wooed years before.
And Lima, making visit six months
later, told her mother on her return:
"Ierbert learned his lesson by heart
| moihar He annraciafaS ESsia nnw nj ha,