Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-04-08

ing, @would it do Won any harm to
receive a little more att .ntion from
your husband?'
'-0f course not. | wish he'd try,
and Mrs. Harley laughed at the idea.
Then you don't think enough of
yourself already? And nothing would
make YOU vain, l SUPPOSE
Madge colored, and all the more
when she perceived that William
Matson bad come in quietly and was
now standing behind Janet's chair.
This, of course. put an end to the
conversation. Madge retired to her
own home to think of Janet words
and to confess secretly that they were
wise.
Hours passed before John Harley
returned home. He was Blan of
goodSabilities, and well tn do in the
world: and having married aIadge
becanse he truly loved her. he had ex
pected to have a happy home. But
partly because he was reserved and
sensitive, and partly becaus, Madge
feared to make him vain, they had
grown very cold toward each other,
so cold that John began to think the
ale-house more comfortable place
than his own fireside.
That night the rain fell in torrents,
the winds howled, and it was not un-
til the midnight hour had arrived
that Harley left the public house and
FASTENED toward his cottage; he was
wet through when he at length cross
ed tile threshold; he was, as he
grufiiy muttered. FUSED to that
but he was not used to the tone
and look with which his wife drew
near to welcome him, nor to find dry
clothes by cracking fire, and'slip
pers on the hearth; nor to hear no
reproach for late hours, and dirty
foot-marks as he sat in his armchair.
Some change had come to Madge, he
was very sure. She wore dress he
had bought her years ago, with a
neat linen collar around the neck,
and had a cap, trimmed with white
ribbons. on her head. l...'.
"You're smart, Madge,' he ex-
claimed at last, when he had stared
at her for some time in silence.
who has been here worth dressing
for to-nightY'
:'No one, until you came" said
Malgcs half laughing. }
II? Nonsense; you didn't dress
for mew cried John. es.
"You won't believe it, perhaps, but
! did. / have been talking with Mrs.
Matson this evening, and she gave
me some very good advice. SO now,
John, what would you like to have
for Jour supper?
John, who was wont to steal to
the shelf at night and content him
self with anything he could find,
thought Madge's offer too excellent
to he refused, and very soon very
large bowl of chocolate was steaming
on the table. Then his wife sat
down, fora wonder. by his side, and
talked little, and listened, and look
ed pleased, when at last, As he could
not help it, he said:
''Dear old Madger
That was enough: her elbow some
how found its way then to the arm of
his great chair, and she sat looking
quietly at the lire. After a while
John spoke again:
"Madgr, dear do you remember
the old days when we used to sit
side by side in your mothers kitch-
en-"
YES"
Il was younger man. then,
Madge, and as they told me, hand
some; now l am growing older,
palmer. dulIer. Then yon-you
loved me: do you love me still?'
She looked up in his face, and her
eyes answered him. 1t was like go
inc back to the old days to feel his
arm around her as her head lay on
his shoulder, and to hear once again
the kind words meant for her ears
|
alone.
She never once asked if this would
make him vain" She knew, as if
bv instinct, that it was making him
a wiser, more thoughtful, more earn
est-hearted man. And when, after a
happy silence, he took down the big
Bible and read chapter, as he had
been wont to read to her mother in
former times, she bowed her head
and prayed.
Yes prayed-for pardon through
the blood of Jesus Christ--fOr
strength to fulfill every duty in the
future-for the all-powerfnI influence
of the Spirit, for blessings on her
husband evermOre.
She prayed-and not in vain.