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

store. Harry's blocks were burned at
the kitchen fire, when Herbert, sstepping
upon one, said he ssswould dSnot have such
rubbish, in the, house" Every window
was opened after pettish declaration
that the "room was as hot as an oven,"
and an hour later the stove was fired up
to smothering heat because he declared
it "cold enough to freeze polar bear"
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt to correct all shortcomings and
put the housekeeping upon a perfect
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, well and strong again, was
coming home. On the day Of her ex-
pected arrival, Lima, with a solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting-room
for few moments of private converse
ton.
Herbert" she said, very gravely: Il
have proposition to make to you. You
are my only brother, and need not tell
you love you very dearly. 1t has really
grieved me to the heart to see how much
there is to find fault with in your beauti-
full home"
Herbert twisted himself uneasily in
his chair, but Lima continued:
"You know that mother is very depen.
dent on me, Louie having the house and
children to care for, but think she
would sacrifice yer own comfort for
yours. So, if you wish, Herbert, / will
come here permanently, to keep things
in order for you"
"You are very kind" he faltered, the
instincts of gentleman battling with
the strong desire to tell Lima she would
certainly drive him TO lunatic 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 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 l
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever man was blessed in a wife, am
that man."
9 '"You amaze me, Herbert" Lima cried
in we!l-feigned astonishment.
II do not see why you should be sur
prised.%: Essieis gentle, loring, orderly,
a. model house-keeper, and a perfect
home angel-God bless her."
"Herbert, is that true?"
certainly it is true"
81 cannot believe it," was the slow
response. .-e,s ..-.-.. -., 49,
'sCannot believe it! Why?"
"Because"-and Lima dwelt 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 Essie. I never saw one look of
appreciation or appreciation of any effort
she; 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 un-
broken despair of a heart crushed under
load of daily censure and constant
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"
The sadly earnest tone, the face of
thoughtful gravity. sent every word home
to Herbert Wortlington's heart. He
spoke no word in self-defence as Lima
left the room. In the profound silence
that followed, conscience reviewed the
past, and he knew that his sister had
only spoken the truth. The habit of
fault finding, meeting no resistance in
ESTES gentleness, had gained in force
till all monstrosity stood revealed in the
experience of the last month.
In the days when Essie lay danger
ously ill there had been no self-reproach
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 see her droop-
ing I will send her to mother and have
LIMA back again." I
Never. had wife and mother warmer
welcome than greeted Essie. The chill
dren were unchecked in their loudest
demonstration of delight. But Lima had
TO rush into the hall to hide her merry
eyes when Herbert, kissing Essie, said
"We must let mother have Lima, now,
dear she has been very kind, and worked
hard for my comfort; butsthere is no
home fairy like my Essie.'
The quick, glad look in his wife's soft
eyes told Herbert that 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, 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 his
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 six months
after, told her mother, on her return:
"Herbert has learned his lesson by
heart, mother. He appreciates Essie
now at her value, and he lets her know
it.-Home Companion.