Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-12-24
during the next fcwmonths showed very

plainly.
She sent for her mother, and, after
telling her the whole story frankly, asked
her to make her home at the farm for
the present, to which the indulgent wo-
man consented without a murmur. Then
Emma. went to work. She took the
affairs Of the farm into her own hands,
hired the men, overlooked the work,
made bargains with the produce dealers
and market-men, took in cattle to pas
ture on the great meadows, and devel-
oped such an extraordinary talent for
business that her mother was continual
ly lost in q sea of astonishment and ad-
miration.
There was no talk of nerves now. EN-
ma had no time to think of them. She
worked in the garden among the vege-
tables until she became as brown as a
nut, and stronger and more robust than
she had ever been before. She took
entire charge of the dairy, and derived
a considerable income from her butter
and cheese, and never did hens lay as
did Emma's. The neighbors said twas
wonderful, and predicted that she would
make a fortune by her fowls. And ev-
erything was conducted on principles of
the most rigid economy, for Emma
wished to carry out Johns precepts as
we'll as she could, and do just as she
imagined he would have done. Not a
dollar did she 60 into debt, and the in
terest on the mortgage was promptly
paid when due.
And thus nearly two years went by,
and it was again the end of the old year.
Emma sat up to see the New Year in,
and her thoughts were very sad ones.
She had been longing and hoping each
day that passed to see John return, and
now that two years had gone by, and he
still made no sign of repentance or for
giveness, terrible fear took possession
of her mind that he was dead. But she
tried to put this aside, calling it one of
her old nervous fancies, yet she would
have given ten years of her life to see
him walk into the old farm. house this
New Years Eve.
al am not like the girl he married, -
she murmured to herself. 81 am strong
er in mind, heart and body, and never
think of my nerves."
She went to lhe window and looked
out. 1t was just such a dark, stormy
night as that on which she had watched
for John two years before. But how
different were her feelings now!
eff he would only come back" she
thought, 1--WE could begin the New Year
together, and l know am strong
enough now to keep my good resolu
tons. He should never have cause fol
complaint again. 1t makes my heart
ache to remember that he said he had
never known weeks happiness in his
married life.'
When the clock struck twelve, Emms
gave up her lonely watch, and, wearieC
out, fell asleep. And her dreams were
pleasant ones, for she dreamed of John
and saw him coming home through thu
storm to forgive and love her again.
1t was still showing when Emm'
awoke the next morning. She dressed
and went downstairs, where HANNAH
already had a brisk fire and a singing
kettle.
81 mean to celebrate New Years Da,
by getting up a real nice breakfast,
said Emma. "Hannah, run down celia
and get some eggs-half dozen vii
. do"
The girl disappeared down the celia
stairs, and Emma bent over the pan o
milk she was skimming.
She did not hear the kitchen doc
open, did not know any one had en-
tered, until she felt rush of cold air
and turning to see the cause, she say
close beside her-John!
emma, can you ever forgive meP
he said, with look of pain and entrea
, ty in his dark eyes, but making no move
r ment to put his arms about her. I"
l have come all the way from Californi
to ask your pardon"
"John!" she cried, and with grea
\ cry of joy she threw her arms about hi
9 neck, unmindful of his great, rough cos
covered thickly with snow. "Forgiv
you'll" she said, kissing his bearde
Q cheek again and again. go John!
9 is you who must forgive mel"
"Long ago | saw how wrong ha
: been, Emma, and it was hard for me t
stay away, but / did not know how 70
would receive me. Still, l thought if
could get here on New-Year's Day
q 0 Emma, | have made so many goo
q resolutions"
!. "And so have l." said Emma. "W
a will bury all the faults of the past wit
q the old year, and begin the new yes
# together. And-John-I know you wi
a never again find fault with my nerve
o because-I haven't any,"
@ When Emma looked around for Hal
g nah fifteen minutes later, she found hi
7 seated at the bottom of the cellar stat
Y doing over the six eggs she held
r her lap.
For once the girl had not shown h
q usual dullness. She had been quic
d witted enough to know that her pre-
n ence was not wanted in the kitchen
,. the reunited couple.
;, John and Emma Chester had learnt
nj through sorrow and bitterness lessC
d they never forgot. The New Year
h Day which saw them reunited was Il
n happiest of their lives, and as tn
10 opened the year so they closed it, wi
Q love and forbearance on both sides. L
is good resolutions which each had ma
1r did not prove valueless, and each Nc
IN Year which came around found the do
k of peace and love nesting beneath t
NJ roof of the old Chester farmhouse.
" BalLou'SMagGzine.
he