Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-09-20

Sophie played the piano very pref
THY She was no artist, but simple
pieces she executed with much feel
ing. During their engagement she
had often charmed the young physi~
clan in tho twilight hours by playing
for him some OF his favorites, for he
was passionately fond of music. Now,
of course. there was no time for that,
and the twilight hour no longer exist
ed for Sophie. So soon as it was
dark the lights must be lit to give her
chance of getting through with her
ever-increasing labors. The doctor
often teased her about her knitting,
which, of an evening. when she had
no sewing or embroidery convenient,
was never out of per hands, and told
her, but playtully, of course, that knit
ting was as disagreeable to him as
smoking to her. She did not seem,
however, any more enclined to es-
chew the former than he the latter,
and as soon as he found the subject
annoyed her he forbore to mention it
One day Wahlborn came home a
little out of his usual time, and found
his study turned completely topsy-
turvy. In the middle of the room
was woman upon her knees wiping
up the floor with a wet mop. His
writing. table, upon which he had left,
among other things, a heap of notices
cut from the papers, was carefully set
to rights, his papers all arranged in
piles according to their size, and the
little SHIPS the girl said she had
thrown into the fire. His book,
shelves were empty, and his books
were on the porch outside the win
dow, all neatly busted, but utterly in
confusion, according to his idea.
Now the doctor was far more neat
and systematic, especially in his study,
than most scientific men, and he could
lay his hand in the dark upon every
book, almost every scrap Of writing
there. 1t delighted him to have his
little Sdfctnm always neat and clean,
but when be saw the confusion that
now reigned he was almost enraged,
and had to guard himself we'll not to
show how angry he really was. And
the worst of it was he could not see
to putting things back to their places
himself, for he was obliged to set off
at once to visit patient who was
dangerously i'll, Sophie, however,
soon treasured him by her loving
promises to put everything back just
as she had found it. She remembered
exactly how the books had stood, she
said, and if she should chance to get
one here and there wrong, he could
easily put 1t in its place. When, final
lY, Wahlborn returned and found that.
after all, Sophie had arranged the
books in accordance to their size and
similar bindings, he had to laugh in
spite of himself. Pamphlets seemed
to have found no favor in her eyes ;
she had them all neatly tied up in
packages, and thrust into corner
out OF sight. 1t actually took VAIL
born the whole of the next forenoon
to bring about anything like his old
order, and he could not avoid a feel
ing of bitterness at finding some OF
his most valuable papers and notices
irretrievably lost.
Sophie was now approaching a
time when it was advisable to begin
to spare herself somewhat. Yet her
never-wearying industry vouchsafed
her no rest, and, Notwithstanding the
warnings of her husband. she was
more active than eyer to make time
for the dainty sewing on hand.
The young couple had commenced
life in the most domestic way, fol
neither cared for pleasures that must
be sought away from home. VAIL
born had no taste for saloon or club
he played neither billiards nor cards,
and hated especially to discuss poll
tics in the bar.room. From eight
o'clock in the evening he usually de.
voted himself exclusively to his wife
and then he would have enjoyed
reading with her. or having some mu.
sic. But Sophie was never entirely
through with her household cares
and if her husband read aloud TO her
she had to jump up and run out tc
give orders to her servant so Otter
that her mind must inevitably wander
from the subject. Each time she re.
turned to her seat she had completely
forgotten all that she had heard be-
fore, and had to ask so many ques
tons it greatly married the interest o.
the reading.
One morning when the doctor
came in to breakfast, he said to his
wife-'My love, | had the pleasure o.
meeting an old friend from Stralsund
just now, whom / have not seen fol
years. | shall bring him up for lunch
at noon; you need make no ceremony
with him, and
But, dear Henry said the young
wife, to-day, of all days, it would be
most inconvenient. shall have
cleaning going on to-day, and | beg
you
'Cleaning? said Wahlborn, rather
taken by surprise if am not mis-
taken, my child, you had cleaning
done last week.
Yes, but we are not through yet.
Surely, Henry, You like to see your
house clean and in order,' said the
young wife, slightly piqued
Wahlborn did not trust himself to
discuss the matter, lest he should
excite her in her present delicate con-
dition, and merely asked-'Thcn it
would not suit you to-day, my dear 2
Not at all-certainly not-now. |
might have managed if | had known
it few days ago. Perhaps we can
arrange it for Sunday 2
lie leaves again to morrow
THAT is unfortunate-well, perhaps
he will come again soon to X
Thus the matter was settled, and
Wahlborn dined that day at the hotel
with his friend.
A short time after this the doctors
services were required to perform a
difficult surgical operation in a neigh
boring town. He made arrange.
ments to be absent To he away from