Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-06-16
THE DIFFERENCE 1T MADE.

How are you are again, lnlnp. eX-
claimed Lottie pettishly, as her hus-
band entered the little room.
And that was all she did say: never
theless it way just half dozen words
to many, and she had far better have
been silent. Strange and sad it is to
think how often we mar the days hap
piness-nay, even the happiness of a
lifetime-by few careless words.
Philip did not reply but pulling of
his boots and thrusting his feet into his
slippers, sat down by the fire, which he
began to stir. Apparently he was not
in "a good temper, and was endeavor-
ing to make the poker do duty as a
salty valve-poking, poking away, rs
though he meant to stir out all the fire
for the night. AT last Lotte got quite
nervous, and her tone had lost none Of
its pettishnes ~ she said
ooh, dear, Phillip, what a state that
CRATE and fender will be inp
81 can't do anything right it seems
said Phillip Grossly; and down went the
poker with n crash.
Lottie went on with her sewing for n
minute or two. Then she enluired,
quietly enough. "What has put you
out Philip? And aren't you going to
have any tea?'
Now a man, rs n rule, does not like
to be asked him what has put him out.
When his grievances have slnmbered
awhile in the solitude of his own breast,
he may tell them or not, rs it suits him,
but he does not like'to have them m
quired into. rio a
Nothing has putme out was the
curt answer And how can have my
tea if YOU won't pour it out2" Aud in
a moment Philip had impatiently pull
led on his boots again, and was gone
slamning the door after him. a
Lottie opened her lips to utter his
name, but no sound came; instead,
there she sat motionless, and pale and
red by turns, with grief, anger aud be-
wilderment. What had she done2
and what had made this terrible differ
ence lately in Philip?
~ Little by little her lips began to
CULVER, and her eyes TO fill with tears (;
and soon She threw down her work and
burying her face in her hands, burst in
to passionate weeping.
They had only been three months
married. yet the glamor on both sides
had faded already. Yet they were
sensible young people, and had by no
means expected perfection of each
other, though being both young,
they had possibly expected too much.
They had also loved each other dearly
and had no doubt imagined that moth
ing more was needed 10 make their
mutual happiness. Never, surely, was
greater mistake For the fire Of
love needs fuel and attention rs much
as any other fire ana if it does not get
them, it will as certainly die out
Many wandering heart that has been
easily won may prove most difficult TO
keep. Yet, generally the power to do
so hes in very little things.
Lothe was AZ orphan, and had not
been very well brought up-having
been shifted about among different
relatives but she had true, loving
heart, and, Notwithstanding her little
crossness to Phillip, Il really gentle,
docile temper.
There was a knock ut the door. but
she waited till it was repeated, and
then drying her eyes, she went slowly
and unwillingly to open it, for her little
maid had gone out.
And there stood Phillips mother, a
tall grand lo,king woman, with Won
derful eyos--large bright, sparkling,
and clear deep gray, and with y face
full of loving kindness. ana Lottie loved
her dearly
Come in" she said. "Oh, mother,
am 50 glad to see you" And then
she caught her voice with little sob.
Mrs. Burton kissed her foudly, but
would not appear to notice her agita-
ton, and, entering the little parlor, she