South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-12-01

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expensive articles, a. you did not like
those already provided. am glad YOU
cd child"
poor neglected child r. echoed as.
tonishsd Herbert. '.Why. Lima, Essie
fairly slaves her life out over those chill.
dren. ! am sure I never see any better
dressed or nsater."
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders.
A month passed. Essie gained strength
in the genial Atmosphere surrounding
Louie and her mother. while Lima ruled
Herbert's house with a rod OF iron.-
Herbert began toiexpericnee q sick long.
ing for Essie's gentle presence. Lima
took him SO very literally in all he said
F., and yet he could not rebuke her for do.
ing exactly what he openly wished.
An arm chair with q tiny spot OF dirt
being declared absolutely filthy. was up.
holstered aud vanished at cost Of ten
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 obtained. Ev.
cry window was opened after pettish
declaration that the room was as hot
as an oven. AMI an hour later the CRATE
was fired up TO smotherinS heat, because
he declared it ''cold enough to freeze q
polar bear"
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt to correct all shortcomings, and
put the housekeeping upon perfect
basis. Lima in one month nearly doubled
her brothers expenses, and drove him
to the verge Of distraction.
But Essie, we'll and strong again, was
coming homo. On the day of her ex.
pected arrival, Lima, with q solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting room
for few minutes ofprivate conversation
Herbert" she said, very gravelv, 81
have proposition to make to you.-
You are my only brother, and l need
not tell You love you dearly. 1t has
really grieved me to the heart to see
how much there is to and fault with in
your beautiful home" Herbert twist.
ed himself uneasiy in his chair, but Ii.
ma continued:
You know that mother is very de.
pendent upon me, Louie having the
house and children to care for, but
think she would sacrifice her own com.
fort for yours. So If you wish, Herbert,
will come here permanently to keep
things in order for you"
Here Lima was obliged to pause, and
strangle laugh at Herberts expression
OF utter horror and dismay.
You arc very kind" he faltered, the
instincts Of o gentleman battling with
the strong desire to tell Lima she would
certainly drive him into a lunatic asy
! lum by six months moro OF her model
housekeeping.
"Not at all. A man who has made
an unfortunate marriage certainly needs
all the aid and sympathy his family can
give him.
I TIE last straw was laid upon the ca.
mefs back. Herbert spoke holly =
You are entirely mistaken, Lima.
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever man was blessed in wife, /
, am that man."
"You amaze me, Herbert" Lima cri.
ed in well feigned establishment.
! "I don't see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving. orderly,
a model mother and perfect homo an.
gel-God bless hertz
Herbert, is that truc?"
Certainly it is true
81 cannot believe it" was the slow
respone.
Cannot believe it. Why?"
"Because"-and Lima hwelt impress.
lively upon every woodworking the
nine years OF your married life, though
visiting here frequently, have never
heard you speak one word of encourage.
ment or praise to Esse. / never saw
one look Of appreciation or appreciation
OF any effort she made for your comfort
/ upon your face. Continual fault find.
! ing, constant blame, have changed her
from happy girl TO a pale, carcworn
+ woman. Even her last illness was but
the unspoken despair Of heart crushed
under load Of daily censure and con.
slant striving for tho appreciation never
! given. And you tell me now she has
never failed in her duty to you. There
is grave error somewhere, HERBERT
The sadly earnest tone, the face OF
thoughtful gravity, sent every word
! home TO the young mans heart. lie
spoke no word Of self-defense, az Lima
slowly left the room. In the profound
silence that followed. conscience review.
ed the past, and he know that his sister
had spoken only the truth.
God help me-" he whispered. 20 con.
/ quer this fault. Essie shall hear no
more fault finding, and IL / see her
dropping, will send her TO mother, and
have Lima here 10 keep house.
/ Never had wife and mother warmer
welcome than greeted Essie. The chill.
dren were unchecked in their loudest
demonstrations Of delight. But Lima
had TO rush into the hall 20 hide her
merry eyes when Herbert, kissing rs.
/ sic. said:
ave must let mother have Lima now.
dear. She has been very kind & work.
ed card for my comfort; and there is
no home fairy like my Essie."
Her quick. glad look in his wife's soft
eyes told Herbert one step had been
taken in the right direction. AS the