Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-01
Roberts Wife.

There was real sorrow in Robert Frank
Inns voice and eyes as he spoke, and the
lady who listened drew her merry, saucy
face into FUCKERS to suit the OCCASION"
"Because, you see" continued Robert,
abe fancies because you have twenty thou
sand dollars that you are fine lady, af-
fected and useless, not the wife for poor
farmer"
ave must show him his mistake" was
the reply.
"But he will not see you. He positively
forbids your coming over to the farm
"Does--does he know we are married :"
"I have not dared to tell him. Cowardly,
is it not ? But he is my only relative, and
| love him dearly 1t is not because he
owns the farm and can leave little money,
Daisy"
Hush, love, I know" Daisy answered,
putting a soft, white hand over her hus-
bands lips.
"I have had no other father, or mother,
either, for that matter, in all my life" con-
tinued Robert, aud if the farm is dreary,
it is home"
"And you do not like to be banished
Well, if you will keep your promise, and
send Jane to me, You shall not be. Now
talk of something else. Oh, how can | let
you 90 1Or Two long mouths
For Robert Franklin had undertaken to
go in person to see about some western
lands, in which his uncle had invested and
which threatened to involve him in loss.
Daisy could not well take the long journey,
and besides, Daisy had other schemes in
her wise little head. Loving Robert well,
she resolved to remove the only shadow from
his life-the resolute opposition of his uncle
to a fine lady wife.
Robert Franklin had been gone from the
farm three days when his uncle James
Welded most reluctantly to the pangs of his
old remedy, chronic rheumatism, and told
Jane, his old servant, that he must remain
in his room. The old woman answered
promptly:
"If you are to be laid up, Mr.. Franklin,
must have some help. I'm getting old,
too, sir and trotting up and down stairs
"But who will come, Jane? Girls are
not plenty here, as you know.
"Ive niece, sir, who would come to me
though she's never lived out"
Send for her, then, and-oh-rub my
leg, will you ?"
Late in the afternoon, little hustle be
low the stairs told the invalid of the arrival
of the niece.
She came with one trunk, in wagon
from the railway station, and standing in
the wide, dreary-looking kitchen stood a
picture of healthful beauty. Soft brown
curls gathered in rich knot left crinky
ringlets on her forehead aud caressing the
round white throat large brown eye;
lighted sweet fair face, and the neat dress
of blue wooden covered dainty figure.
"Will yor go up stairs, Miss ~ Jane
hesitated.
"Margaretl" said the the newcomer
"don't call your niece Miss, whatever yot
do My name is Margaret. Has Mr.. Frank
lin had his supper p
"Not vet. There's his dinner, you see
scarcely tasted"
Margaret looked at her big tray, the blu
plate with food heaped upon it, the two
pronged fork and half soiled napkin, and di'
not wonder at the neglect OF food.
"Show me where the things are and l will
get the supper" she said
Jane led her from closet to closet. In on
was a set of gilt-edged china, some fine tabl
linen, table silver and glass.
"These were bought thirty years ago,
whispered Jane, "when Mr. Franklin ex
pected to be married. She died, aud the
have never been used"
With her pretty face saddened by the hiC
den tragedy of those few words, Margare
took a small tray from the shelf, and covere
it with a snowy napkin, selected what sh
wanted from the closet, and went again I
the kitchen.
James Franklin, weary with the effort
hold book in his aching hands, was no
sitting in deep armchair, musing, whe
Margaret tapped at the door.
"Come in
But he started as she obeyed. Such
sweet, bright face was new IN the dismal o
farm. house, strongly in contrast with I'll
bare, meager room and desolate air su
, rounding her.
al have brought your supper" she sal
! drawing little table near the arm-chai
, and covering it with a white cloth. The
going TO the door, she entered again with
tray. Upon white china dish was half
/ chicken, delicately Drowned, potato roastt
, in the ashes, and a slice of buttered toas
and besides this, delicate cup full of fir
q grant tea.
|, "You must not scold if | have anythin
wrong" said clear, sweet voice, "becau
: Aunt Jane is too busy to look after me.
cleaned the fork and spoon, for silver ge
dreadfully lack,"-then more tenderly
/ she marked the painful effort to move Il
/. tortured fingers" Let me cut the chicke
4 sir
Grimly wondering, the old man suffert
I himself to be fed, finding appetite as Il
, well prepared food was eaten, and listeniI
. well pleased to the CHEEKY voice so unfamil
9 to his lonely life.
\ "Jaue," Margaret said, setting down Il
: tray again in the kitchen, :" don't wond
he is sick. No carpet, no curtains, tn
great hearse of bed, and nothing pret
near him."
ats all clean," said Jane.
/ "Clean as wax, but oh so doleful. Car
/ we fix up a cozy room Y
$ "There's rooms enough. Six on tn
e floor" said Jane, sand none used but Il
p one Mr.. Franklin's in, and Mr.. Roberts, Il
/ little one next to it,
4 "Well we'll see tomorrow. Can ha
$ a man TO send TO town if want anything
"There's men enough. Win you sle'
}, down here tonight, or in one of the room
; upstairs Z"
D " Down here, in the room next TO yours
i ats all ready. I'll go up now and NAL
r Mr. Franklin comfortable for the night"
9 Comfortable" Margaret said, shive
e ing.
$ But the next morning, after putting
+ tempting breakfast before the invalid, Ma
/. garet selected the vacant bedroom 81
It meant to beautify for his use. 1t was larg
,, with four windows, light and cheerful, al
p well suited to her purpose. In the interva
I of directing Jane, sending the man to tow
s with her orders, and giving her own dain
y touch to everything, Margaret visited Il
invalid, reading TO him, chatting with hi