Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-06-13

reaction OF TINS law OF active use is
perfectly beautiful. I wish / could
put it before you just as l see it |!
said Edna, loaking into his listening
!, eyes; and the spirit that shone thr'e
the speakers delicate features gave sc
radiant expression that Hal said men
tally, that which for sound reason he
could not say verbally think yos
are perfectly beautiful And ht
made petition for direction for sac
tive use on the spot, in any capacity
that might be designated, from feed
ing sugar to little Paul Julian, who Al
that moment set up low sweet carol
to finishing her work or executing q
commission down town.
'Ifyou will kindle the fire on the
hearth iii put up my work, and we vii
haveit bright for Alice, said the sister
and she went to the window and gazed
for moment down the broad, tree.
lined street that, despite the many
vehicles and pedestrians looked
gloomy enough in the chill gray Of
November.
Hal opened a door that led where
the choice supply of fuel was kept
Big black Beppo thrust his nose in
with low whine of joy, and, as his
master gathered up an arnful Of
sticks, proceeded to extend every in.
vitation to frolic which canine ma
ture is capable Of.
The little wood fire was one Of the
few luxuries the trio allowed them
selves. 1t was INDUCED in only at
the hour of reuniun, when the days
severest toll was over. 1t frightened
the room which, gloomy in itself, was
yet the only available one for social
purposes, and the CHEEKY flame gave
rudy light as we'll as warmth, some
times almost producing an illusion of
gas-light, and pleasanter far. Beppo's
first ebullition had sufficiently sub
sided to allow him. to sit in digni6ed
posture and apparent criticism, while
stick after stick was added at discre-
ton, as the ruddy tongues of flame
ventured to rise from the light kind
lings below. With bright, steady
eye and intelligent ear, expressing in
tense satisfaction, he watched till the
most artistic arrangement possible
had been completed, and the flames
cracked their approval of the neatly
swept hearth, and then, leaping ST.
multaneously as Hal arose, the game
he had waited for began.
The early twilight came on making
the bright cheerfulness more appar-
ent, and the game continued until In.
terrupted by Alice's entrance. Edna
appeared at the same moment with a
pot Of steaming cocoa, as one of the
browning temptations to the delicate
ly laid table, inviting with its pure
linen and shining silver-mementoes
of the dear old home that lived ever
in the sunny country Of heart remem-
brance.
Not every lady has a knight in
these days' spoke Alice, as Hal
sprang to take her wrappings. I'm
glad you're early home tonight
And little Paul struck into the same
key the sweet tones suggested, and
gave very heart melody of song; and
the flame sent out shower of bright
little sparks, and started up into new
brilliancy, while Beppo wagged his
tail, and gave sundry very moderate
leaps, which were only make believes
to attract attention.
Alice. who was the. taller of the
two, dropped a kiss on Edna's fore
head as she passed her to put some
books on the shelf.
1T is dreary out tonight, and, oh,
so good to come into such sweet,
bright home = she said. Il believe l
have the very best brother and sister
in the world; don't you little PauI?'
and she raised her face to the cage
with a low chirrup on her lips, which
the bird answered in prolonged, re-
peated notes of corresponding tone
and inviting tenderness.
Hal had unfolded the evening pa.
per, and was in the midst OF the sfor-
eign news column, when the tea
things had been restored to order !;
and Alice had just interrupted him
by comment, when a tap at the
door announced Neighbor Litchfield,
who limped and had a cough, and
kept the little variety shop around
the corner. No man more ready to
do kind act than he; no man more
- tal1 70 al =.
whatever department. He had come
for some medicine, such as Miss Ell
lerton once let him have before. sHe
could not get it by that name at the
druggists, and it had helped Mrs.
L,tchfield so much he could not for
bear troubling Miss Elerton once
more
1T is of home manufacture, said
Edna, sand | shall be only too glad to
furnish you with new supply when
ever and as often as you require it,
'My wife said yesterday, after you
called, she should not have any hest
tation in asking you for it if couldn't
get it at Stearns. She said you did
not seem like a stranger, though she
had never seen you BEFORE And
Neighbor Litchfeld, who looked
weary when he first came in, seemed
to gather animation each moment
from the cheerful home surroundings.
Il have made up my mind TO give up
the shop till she is BETTER continued
he, in reply to some inquiries from
Alice, while Edna was preparing the
medicine. 1T troubles her to have me
leave the business, bat no one who
has not been with her in these attacks
can do for her all that needs to be
done, however willing. / have left
her too much, fear; but / shut up
yesterday, and shall not open doors
again till she is BETTER
'I'll stay in your shop a few days
for you,' said Hal. I'm out of stu.
alton, aud would like to do it.
Perhaps Litchfeld caught the quiet
surprise of AIice's look, she not yet
having been apprised of the breaking
up of the connection with the Hath
ertons.
you're too good, sir, I'm sure
spoke Neighbor Litch6eld, sto be
willing to take place in my little
,bo.> ~ oil Tn, yoru xhapGful ~