The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-01-24

uCiu SDt SOOA Win utl. dui itil
in charge until after the sale. sir"
/ Egbert looked bewildered. lie
could not understand his wife's pos
sessing such business abilities, and
after turning her note over and over
again in his hand, he opened it.
There was but one line.
Come to the cottage No. 9, Sher-
wood Road
Dora"
Sherwood Road" be repested, as
the woman retired. That is the
road we drive out to the river What
can Dora be doing 10 cottsge No.
/ 90
/ He lost no time in endeayoriDg to
discover, and soon reached the des-
ignated locality 1t was q row Of
pretty, though humbla cottages. white
10 color, and surrounded By neatly
cultivated gardens.
No . was the centre one, and be
had scarcely stepped on the porch
when the door flew open, and there,
in tiny box of an entry, very IN
like their tiled hall, stood Dora, smil-
! ing as be bad never seen her smile
before.
/ She was dressed very plainly, and
wore white linen apron; but, with
al, the aid of silks and Jewels, she
Z had never seemed so beautiful to
him
Come in dear" she cried, joyfnlly
come in, aud see our new home,
and don't say 8 word. or try to kiss
me. till | tell you all about it,"
Thev were in a neat parlor, open
ing by folding doors into small din
iug-rOom, both apartments being en-
belished bv bay windows and plenty
of spring howers. Everything was
fresh, pretty aud simple verv
meagre, poor place, compared with
the palace they had left, and yet
home, true, dear home, in the very
best sense of the word-for there
stood its mistress. with open arms.
seeking her husbands love, in wo-
manly fonJness as q faithful. devoted
wife.
Egbert instantly disobeyed her
command by catching her up in his
arms and pressing her fonily to bis
heart.
You must let me tell you," she
exclaimed, struggling aud painting.
II don't want to be loved until you
feel that | deserve it a little for being
ashamed Of myself in the past-sor
living an idle self-indulgent life with
out a thought save for the grsti6ca-
tion of my own folly and caprices.
and merely regarding you as the
minister of all my selfish vanity.
When. three days ago. the story OF
your losses burst upon me, it well
nigh stunned me, 10 its sudden force.
The awakening was painful | felt
all bad failed to be as true wife.
and an unu.terable hopeiessuess and
self-reproach mingled with the knowl-
edge. I was bowed to the earth, yet
speechless to confess my error"
Egbert. eager in his new found
JOY, strove to interrupt her self re-
proacbes, but in vain.
"You must know how bad I've
beeu-how stupidity selfish and ex-
aeting-so as to appreciate my new
aud better self" she protested.
You were always good-always
lovely. darlingr he cried. rapturous-
" p, but somehow you seem nearer
TO me now than ever befcre."
"Tha, is because you are at home,
and I'm going TO be your housekeep-
err said Dora, laughing See our
pretty cottage. and just think, it is all
bought and paid for with that pin
money | never could get chance to
spend. and that, besides it, we have
enough to keep house economically
for wear to come, you and / and
Minnie"
This is deiightful-this is res:
after storm, my darling wife" cried
Egbert, fondly. at is worth all that
is gone. / would not receive a for
tune in exchange for tbisr
"You will pot send me to Paris. to
stay with nv aunt ?"
mo, / could not lose you now for
worlds"
wait until you taste the nice din
ner Minnie and | have prepared"
she said, proudly, aud ran away to
see that it was properly served
And this is the angel that / SO
misiudged," mused the happy hus-
band. while | weakly shrank from
facing the truth, she had met it and
conquered it God bless her! feel
this blow will be blessing 10 dis
gulse. | never felt in our grand
house as feel in this bird cage Of a
cottage. IL must be as Dora says
the spirit of home
Back came Dora, carrying q dish
OF steak, while Minnie followed her
with the vegetables.
"Sit down, Egbert, while every
thing is hot and nice, for 1 expect
you to do justice 10 the meal, and
commend the cook " she said gailv.
A mountain load had been lifted
off the husbands heart, aud be CON-
Piled with Joyous countaBanee.
Remember, you are not to look
on tbs as a meer freak, darling she
said, seriously 1t is net the novel
~ Of appearing in a new character.
but a profound desire to do my duty,
to which / have so lately awakened.
that sustains me- Besides" she
added, II expect it will not be all
easy work. See-I have burned my
fingers already, and / am quite GER
tain that nv hands will be injured a
little but they will be useful, and
that viii console me for their loss Of
beauty"
And so i, did As she said, Dora
Walton found her new life full Of
effort; but she was equal to it, and
her husbands love sustained her, as
we'll as ber own conscience, and Esade
her struggle sweet
he was nos q man TO remain long
9uieseent to poverty or misfortune ;;
bis native energy aud perseverance
soon built up again the foundation of
q new fortune, and Dora could bsve