Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-20

well, said Lima. slowly, II thought
this room marvel of neatness myself,
but when you remarked it was not fit for
pigs, supposed you wanted it cleaned"
1.-The room was well enough, was the
curt reply. "For mercy's; sake don't turn
any more of the house upside down"
At breakfast a tiny tear in Louie's
apron caught her fathers eye, and by his
own angry statement, "she never had
decent stitch of clothes, and did wish
somebody would see to her,
Two days later formidable dry goods
bill was presented at the store, and Lima
explained it in this wise:
"You said, Herbert, that Louie hadn't
decent stitch, and you wished some
body would see to her. so bought her
complete outfit I could not see any
fault myself, but of course l get more ex-
pensive articles, as you did not like those
already provided. | am glad you called
my attention to the poor, neglected
child.''
"Poor, neglected child!' echoed as
tonished Herbert. 'Why, Lima, Essie
fairly slaves herself out over those child
rem. l am sure never saw any better
dressed or neater."
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders.
A month passed. Essie gained strength
in the genial atmosphere surrounding
Louie and her mother, while Lima ruled
Herbert's home with rod oil iron. Her
bert began to experience longing for
Esse's gentle presence. Lima took him
so very literally in all he SAID, and yet he
could not rebuke her for what he openly
wished.
A chair with tiny spot of dirt being
declared absolutely filthy. was upholster-
ed and vanished at cost of eight dol
lars. A dozen new shirts, ESTES last
labor OF love, being said to 'set like meal
bags" were bestowed on a gardener, and
and a new set sent from a furnishing
store. Harrys blocks were burned at the
kitchen fire when Herbert, stepping up
ON one, said he ''would not have such
rubbish in the house, Every window
was opened after a pettish declaration
that the room was as hot as an oven" and
an hour later the stove was fired up to
smothering heat because he declared it
"cold enough to freeze polar bear.'
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt to correct all shortcomings and
put the housekeeping upon perfect basis,
Lima, in one month, nearly doubled her
brothers expenses, and drove him to the
verge of dlstractioi., keeping actual ac-
count of everything.
But Essie, well and strong again, was
coming home. On the day of her ex-
pected arrival, Lima with solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting-room
for few minutes private conversation.
HERBERT she said, very graveiy, II
have proposition to make to you. You
are my only brother, and need not tell
you that love you very dearly. 1t has
really grieved me to the heart to see how
much there is to find fault with in your
beautiful home.''
Hertert twisted himself uneasiiy in his
chair, but Lima continued:
"You know that mother is very de-
pendent upon me, Louie having the house
and children to care for, but | think she
would sacrlfice her own comfort for yours.
So, if you wish, Herbert, 1 will come
here permanently to keep things in order
| for you
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
strangle a laugh at Herbert's expression
of utter horror and dismay.
"Yo1 are very kind, be faltered, the
instincts of a gentleman battling with a
strong desire to tell Lima she would GER
tainly drive him to the lunatic asylum
+ho Of Io,, (1al
keeping.
"Not at ALL a man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs all
the aid and sympathy his family can
give him.
The last straw was laid upon the cam
els back. Herbert spoke hotly:
"You are entirely mistaken, Lima!
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever man was blessed in wife, am
| that man..
You amaze me, HerbertY' Lima cried,
in well-feigned establishment
81 do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly,
model house keeper, and a perfect
home ange!-God bless herr'
"Herbert, is that true?"
''Certainly it IS true
u cannot believe 1t, - was the low re-
spouse.
Cannot believe it," Why?"
because and Linda dwelt impress
sively upon every word" during the
nine years of your married life, though
visiting here frequently, l never heard
you speak one word of encouragement or
praise to Essie. l never saw one look of
appreciation of any effort she made Tor
your comfort upon your face. Continual
fault finding constant blame, have changed
her from happy, winsem girl to pale,
careworn woman. Even her last illness
was but the unbroken despair of heart
crushed under load of daily censure and
constant striving for the appreciation new
er given. And you tell me now she has
never failed in her duty to you. There
is grave error somewhere"
The sadly earnest tone, the face of
thoughtful gravity, sent every word home
to Herbert Worthington's heart. He
spoke no word Of selt-detence as Lima
slowly lett the room. In the profound
silence that followed conscience reviewed
the past, and he knew that his sister had
only spoken the truth. The habit of fault
g 80, 5a'o