, 1876-10-06

fort for yours. So if you wish, Her
bert, will come here permanently, to
keep things in order for you"
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
strangle laugh at Herbert's expression
of utter horror and dismay.
You are very kind, he faltered, the
instincts of a gentleman battling with
the strong desire to tell Lima she would
certainly drive him into a lunatic asy-
lum by six months more of her model
housekeeping.
Not at all. 4 man who has made an
unfortunate marriage, certainly needs
all the aid and sympathy his family can
give him."
The last straw was laid upon the cam
els back. Herbert spoke hotly: you
are entirely mistaken, Lima. have not
made an unfortunate marriage. If ever
a man was blessed in a wife, am that
man."
You amaze me, Herbertw Lima
cried, in well-feigned astonishment.
do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly,
model mother, and a perfect home
angel-God bless herl"
- Herbert, is that true?'
" Certainly it is true"
cannot believe itr' was the slow
response.
Cannot believe it! Why?'
Because and Lima dwelt impress
sively upon every word" during the
nine years of your married life, though
visiting here frequently, I have never
heard you speak one word of encour-
agement or praise to Essie. 1 never saw
one look of appreciation or appreciation
of any effort she made for your comfort,
upon your face. Continual fault-fnd-
ing, constant blame, have changed her
from happy girl to a pale, careworn
woman. Even her last illness was but
the unspoken despair of heart crushed
under load of daily censure, and con-
slant striving for the 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. He
spoke no word of self-defense as Lima
slowly left the room. In the profound
silence that followed, conscience re-
viewed the past, and he knew that his
sister had spoken only the truth.
"God help me-" he whispered, "to
conquer this fault. Essie shall hear no
more fault-fnding, and if ] see her
dropping, I will send her to mother,
and have Lima here to 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 to hide her
merry eyes when Herbert, kissing Es-
sic, said:
We must let motL er have Lima now,
dear. She has been very kind, and
worked hard for my comfort; but there
is no home fairy like my Essie."
The quick, glad look in his wife's soft
eyes told Herbert one step had been
taken in the right direction. As the
days glided by, and Essie found appre-
citation meeting every effort to add to
home comfort, wsrd of praise for ev-
cry little triumph of cookery or needle
work, her pale face grew bright with
happiness, and Herbert found his own
heart lightened by the cheerful voice.
the sunny smile, the bright eyes of the
Essie he had wooed years before.
And Lima, making a visit six months
later, told her mother on her return:
Herbert learned his lesson by heart,
mother. He appreciates Essie now at
her value, and lets her LnOlo IL.