The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-25

about her household duties; they livep
in a cozy little fat overlooking pretty
little park, where the horse-chestnut
trees were just studding their boughs
with chandeliers of snowy bloom. She
began to think how she could best COM
pass her own freedom, now that her
Uncle Dotterel refused to receive her
back to her girlhood's home.
" / might teach," she said to herself.
"only would have to polish up nv ac-
complishments little. Or might get
a place at milliner's. / used to be a
good hand at trimming hats and making
caps, or ="
She stopped short here. In examin-
ing the drawer of table she had come
to an old letter-a letter written to b. r
by her husband before they were mar
ried.
In the days when was little more
Field, with a little scornful laugh.
"Things are quite different now"
But she opened it nevertheless and sat
down to read it over with a curious
medley of feelings at her heart.
He loved me then," she said to her.
self; "oh, he did love mel And why
is it so different now? Has he changed? :?
Or have w
Maggie put away her hand too late
to wipe away the big tear that hung on
her eyelash; it spla he'd down upon the
written words great, glittering dew
drop. Suddenly caressing arm stole
around her neck, d pair of mascu-
line whiskers rubbed upon her cheeks.
"Why, Peg-little Peg! What is the
matter ?" questioned Marcus Field.
Crying all alone here by yourself,
with big bib apron on, like Gin lerella
in the story book"
Maggie looked piteously up into her
husbands downcast face.
Marcus" said she, what's the rea-
son you don't love me now"'
What's the reason I don't love you
now? he repeated, struck with amaze.
ment. But do love you, Maggie"
Maggie's only reply was burst of
tears. Marcus FL Id sat down beside
his young wife and drew her gently to
him.
| Maggie" said he, "we've been all
astray of late. I don't know how, no,
why, except-except that I may have
been to blame without meaning it. Let's
begin again. can see now how I have
been thoughtless of your happiness
too much absorbed in my own pursuits
1t shall not happen again. What de
you say, my little wife2 Shall we begir
anewT
Maggie looked up, her blue eye
sparkling through her tears
"Oh, Marcus!' she faltered, "s
gladly so willingly. But-but yol
don't know all"
What do you meanY' he asked
wonderingly.
81 thought you had ceased to care fo
me- said Maggie, hanging down he
head, and nervously playing with tn
buttons of her husbands coat. 81 wa
e 10 sort of despair-and so ran away.
I "Ran where? and when I" demande
! Marcus Field, more and more puzzled
: Yesterday" admitted Maggie, wit
the scarlet blood rising to the roots &
!, her hair. "To Uncle Dotterel."
:, "And he T'
= He sent me back again"
!; Sensible Uncle Dotterel," said NJ
d Field. "But you won't run ava
I again, will you, Maggie?''
!, Never" said Msggie. ooh, Ma
s cusl I am so glad got back before yo
~ iCIuIAcu anu IOuuu me gone.
{. Marcus Fields brow darkened.
II 81 don't know what I should hay
done," said he. "I think il would hay
g been turning point in my life, whethe
for good or evil dare not say.'
9 Maggie drew long breath of relic
8 and thankfulness.
81 have been very silly, Marcus" 81
q said. "But it is for the last time"
Uncle Dotterel spent mis- next Thank
2, giving Day with his niece and her hu
II band, and happier little family circ
y it would have been difficult to discove
1t Here's to the health of all marie
lovers" said Uncle Dotterel, filing
lie glass with homemade currant win
ct when the dessert came or. "And
le suppose my niece Magdalen will new,
y leave her husband again"
"Neverp cried Maggie, with 10
d, ing glance at Marcus Fields face.
'g "And now aren't you thankful SCI
a you packing home again?' said Unc
Dotterel
a. "Oh, SO thankfulT' Maggie answere
in with the light of happy love in her bl