The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-23

store. Harry's blocks were burned at
the k!tchca, fire, when Herbert, stepping
upon 0pe. said be 1weuld not have such
rubbish ins the, house" EyeFy window
was opened after a pettish declaration
that the room was as hot as an Oven,"
and an hour later the stove was fret up
to smotheriDg heat because he declared
1t cold enough to freeze polar bear"
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt To correct all shortcomings and
Put. tho housekeeping up0H q P0oTTffcGcc. P0TfcGcc..
basIs, Lima in one month nearly doubled
her brothers expenses, and drove him TO
the verge Of distraction, keeping actual
account Of every complaint.
But Essie, we'll and strong again, was
coming home. On the day Of her ex.
prcted arrival, Lima, with q solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting-room
for few moments Of private conversa.
tion
Herbert" she said, very grayely 81
have proposition to make to you. You
arc my only brother, and need not tell
you love you very dearly. It has really
gricved me TO the heart to see how much
there is TO find fault with in your beauti.
full home.''
Herbert twisted himself uneasily in
ms chair, but Lima continued:
You know that mother is very depch.
| dent on me, Louie having the house and
a. 'dren to care for, but | think she
,uld sacrifice her own comfort ,or
yours. So, if you wish, Herbert, l will
come here permanently, TO keep things
in order for YOU"
"You are very kind" be faltered, the
instincts OF gentleman battling with
the stroug desire TO tel Lima she would
certainly drive him 10 lunntc asylum
by six months or more of her model
housekeeping.
Not at all. A man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs all
the aid snd sympathy his family can give
| The Inst straw was laid upon the cam
els back. Herbert spoke hotly:
| "You arc entirely mistaken, Linn !
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever man wa.' blessed in a wife, am
that man,"
You amaze me, Herbert" Lima cried
In well-feigned astonishment.
IL do not sec why you should be sur
prised.i Essie Is gentle, loving, orderly,
Il model housekecper, and perfect
home angel-G0d bless her"
Herbert, is that huc?"
Certainly it il true"
Il cannot believe it," was the slow
response.
Cannot believe it! Why"
"Becuiisc"-and Lima dwclt impress.
lively upon every word" during the nine
years OF your married life, though visit
ing here frequently, never heard YOU
speak one word of encouragement or
praise to Essic. never SAW one look of
appreciation or appreciation of any effort
shs made for your comfort upon your
face. Continual fault finding, constant
blame, have changed her from happy,
winsome girl to pale, care worn woman.
! Even her last illness WAS but the I'M
! broken despair of IL heart crushed under
load of daily ccnsuro and constant
striving for the npprobntion never given.
| And you tell me now she has never failed
in her duty. to you. There is a grave
| error somewhere"
The sadly enrncst tone, the face Of
thoughtful gravity. sent every word home
t. Herbert Wortliington's heart. He
spoke no word in self.defencc rs Lima
icft the room. In the profound silence
that followed, conscience reviewed the
past, and he knew that his sister had
only spoken the truth The hnbit Of
fault finding, meeting no resistance i'm
ESTES gentiencss. iia,i glinc,i iii sofue
till all mOnstros;ty stood revealed in the
experience Of tho last month.
In tho days when Essie lay danger
ously ill there had been no self.repronch
! like this in her husbands sorrow. He
had given his wife fair home, an ample
income, frequent social pleasure, many
costly gifts, and loved !. her faithfully,
| while poisoning her whole life.
"God help me-" he whispered, Ito
conquer this fault. Essie shall hear no
more fault finding, and if l see her droop-
ing ! ~ill send her to mother and have
Lima b.lk again"
Never had wife and mother warmer
welcome than greeted Essic. The chill.
dren were unchecked in their loudcst
demonstration of delight But Lima had
! to rush into the hall to hid. her merry
eyes when Herbert, kissing Essic, said:
I'VE must let mother 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 wifes soft
eyes told Herbert that one step had been
taken in the right direction. AS the
days glided by, and Esse found appre-
ciation meeting every effort to add to
home comfort, word of praise for every
little triumph of cookery or needle work,
her pale face grew bright with untold
happiness. Gradually the care-worn
expression was obliterated by one of
sweet content, and Herbert found lis
own heart lighted by the cheerful voice,
the sunny smile, the bright eyes of the
ESsie he had wooed years before.
And Lima, making visit ak months
after, told her mother, on her return
Herbert has learned his lesson by
heart, mother. He appreciates Essee
now Mt her value, and he lets her know
it.-Home Companion.