Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-02

81 shall certainly accept my friend,
Mrs. Outerbridge's kind Offer" said she
with dignity. "Of course. Amy, you
will do rs you please. And / am going
up stairs now to pack up. Mrs. Outor-
bridge is anxious tor me to come as soon
as possible. And. OF course, Amy. you
will remember that shall always be
glad to receive you and your family as
my guests at Outerbridge Cottage"
Il looked imploringly at Jerome.
MAY we go. dearP | am SO heart
hungry for apple-blossoms, and green
grass and bntlercups |" pleaded |.
"Oi course, il you wish it,
"And will you come, tooW
But Jerome shook his head.
"My evenings tor the present must be
in town. said he II have some extra
work to do for Uncle Joseph, which wor't /
bear postponing. II you go. Amy. you
must 90 alone"
Aunt Pen was loud in her denuncia-
I ton of husbands in general and Jerome
in particulaI, when | came up 10 her
room.
Il could have told you how it would
be before you we're ever married TO him.
said Aunt Pen shaking her head "but-'
you shall not talk so, Aunt Pen y
dashed 1. al dare say Jerome is right;
only-only-"
And then | vindicsted my cause right
royalty by bursting into new flood OF
tears.
"Aunt Penelope went away the next
day, and lonesome enough it seemed. 1t
was blowy April morning, with blue
sky. dappled with clouds, and faint sweet
scents of growing things in tho air Oh,
how sick was OF the flat. OF pavements
and brick walls, and all the items which
20 to make up a cityT" Baby was more
fretiu than usual. and easily persuaded
myself that he wBs pininr.
"Oh, Jerome ~ cried !. passionstely,
when at last my husband came homo,
with tired look, and roll OF papers
under his arm have we always got to
live so'?'
Live how, my darling7'
"Coopsd up like rats in q trap, away
from all the beautiful sights and sounds
of the world Shut up in q mere lodging
house Can't We live in house that has
at lesst a little hower-border and a grape
vine in its rear ?"
81 hope We can afford to some time.
my dear" said Jerome, gravely."
And then he drew out his inkstand,
opened his roll oil figures, aud went to
work
The April days besmed on, all bright
skies, soft winds. and Kaleidoscope
glimpses of sunshower; and l became
almost heart-sick for the country.
.If Jerome cared Tor me as he used to
care" / told ny self, with feverish impa-
tiepce. "he would at least make some
effort to find home where could be
happier than in this human hive, where
q few pot-planIs in the window are all |
have to remind me of the green world
ontside."
Stung by these reflections, and still
further melted by letter from Aunt PEN
elope, full of descriptions of lambs, dai-
sizes and little streamlets, one day pack
ed up my valise.
"Halloa," said Jerome, when be came
home, "where are you goingP"
ITO Aunt Penelope, for weeks visit;
| need il and 80 does BerLie.n
"And leave me"
looked keenly at jerome. He, too,
was paler and thinner than his usual
wont. Nights OF work and days Of
counting house toll were beginning 10
tell upon him.
mo, no m l cried. throwing my arms
round him IL wonr leave you. dearest.
Not if | never see the country again.
That's my own brave little girl !' said
. Jerome, stroking back my hair with 8
loving touch. wait week, desry and
, I'll take you myself for little trip"
So waited.
The dsy-week came, to my infinite de-
light. l dressed baby IN long white
gown, with blue ribbon sash and shout
, der-knots, and pu. on my own dainty lit
J tie spring hat, trimmed with primroses,
and away we rolled in comfortable
open carriage-Jerome, BERTHE. and l.
= until we came TO the prettiest birds nest
of a cottage in the world. Just little dis
tauce out of the town, where vines gar
landed the porch, and little lawn ex.
tended down 10 q crystsl-clear brook.
. Tulips and daffodils made the border
gay, aud lilac tree, BY the gate, was
, just bursting into bloom.
5 al should like house like this" said
, gazing abstractedly out at its exquisite
, spring beauty.
"Should up" said Jerome. laug hing,
, as he drew up the horses in front OF the
gate. "I'm glad to hear that. because il
, is your home.'
"My-home y
l stared at him as if he were half crazy
Q "Yes, little patient, homesick wife.
haven't forgotten your likings and long