The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-03-18
"As Heaven is nv witness. sir. / hay

my side, and has uncomplalnlngly Kept
with me-"
| ''No, she has not kept step, to follow
your Own figure. Unable to keep up with
your long, rapid strides, she has fallen,
faint and footsore, by the way. 1 tell you
she must have rest for both mind and
body, or will not answer for the result.
And it would better be found away from
home"
"Ies, begin to comprehend, and it
can be found away" And offering his
hand, ''I will take care, doctor, that you
do not get chance to administer another
such dose to me-"
Mr.. Streeter went back to the room
where his wife was sitting propped up by
| pillows, and gush of unutterable ten
| derness swelled in his heart as he glanced
in her pale face and almost transparent
hands. He sat down beside her and said,
softly:
"You don't know how glad I am that
You are better"
Thank you. Yes; l am almost well
now-shall soon be able to be in the
! kitchen. lam sure [ must be sadly needed
by this time"
''No, you are not needed there. By
the way would you like to have me put
the farm to rent this summer. and you
take the boy ard go back to the Granite
hills ?"
"Oh could you? May I go p and the
voice quivered with excitement; then
wistfully, "but the expense, Newton. 1t
would put rs back 50 much
Eyes, there it IS; the old doctor was
right" he thought. And then aloud,
do you know what went to the city
| for the dag you were ill.,"
''To deposit some money for more land
I think you said" she replied wearily.
"Yes; but do not need that land.
! have far more land than / can cultivate
now. And you shall have that money
at least ali you want of it-and go home
and stay all summer, and try to get some
of your blood back. 1 shall write to-day
that you are coming"
Mrs. Streeter could not believe it was
not one Of her feverish dreams.
But it came about in good time; and
she arrived safely at home, where she
was petted and caressed to her hearts
content.
~, trr-I tn l,n
would expostulate; II never shall be fit
for a farmers wife any more"
And thus among loving friends, riding,
walking and, when at home, reading,
music, and writing long letters to her
husband, the summer wore swiftly away.
And now he had written that he was
coming, and she was counting the days
that must elapse ere she could look upon
his face and be clasped to his heart. She
was eager to go now. Her holiday was
over. Health had returned, and not an
instant did she shrink from the old life.
And when the husband came and saw
the wonder one summer had wrought, he
again told himself that the good doctor
was right.
A few days were given to the old friends,
and then they turned their faces toward
| their western home.
1t was evening when they arrived, and
the wife looked with bewilderment on
| the change. 4 handsome front had been
added to the old dwelling: ana before
she had time to question she was ushered
into parlor newly furnished and already
lighted. An eleaens piano stood in re-
| cess evidently constructed for It's recep-
! ton.
| She turned toward her husband to as
sure herself that he, too, had not changed
into something or somebody else. But
the merry twinkle in his eye told her he
was enjoying her surprise, and slowly
she began to realize the whole situation.
Yes, now she understood his strange re-
! luctance to mention what he was doing,
and his willingness TO have her remain,
even after she had expressed her anxiety
to return.
"Come, have more to show you p
and he led her into large, commodious
room, furnished for her own sleeping
apartment, even to her baby's crib.
This Is for you. And now lay aside
your dusty garments and prepare for tea;
it must have been ready an hour ago. I
will so and see."
When he returned he found bis little
wife sitting in her little rocker and weep
ing silently.
'Have | wounded where I wished to
heal ?" he asked, reproacbfully.
Forgive me-" she said, smiling; Il
am a goose, but tired-winged one, you
know. am so happy to be at home in
such home, that have no words to tell
my happiness"
He stopped to kiss the offered lips.
And what different life it was-busy,
not burdened. Time for the wants of the
mind as well as the body. Good help in
the kitchen all the time, and choice read
ing for any leisure hour.
The farm was an unfailing source of
income, fully defraying all expenses,
with balance in favor.
''Been improving, I see," said DR..
Meeker, as he reined in his light carriage
to the neat fence.
"Yes, Doctor. Come in; l want to
show you all the improvements. Here
Mary, the doctor wants to see you"
And as she came to greet him, rosy
with health end happiness, he nodded
his head at her hush md.
Eyes, that will do, and then glancing
at the open piano, II am going to stay
just long enough to hear one tune played.
Will you favor me 7" and with the old
gallantry, fitted SO awkwardly to his