The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-11-03

| wien III was a pleasure TO De alive.
The windows were open, the little
white muslin curtains futtering. Up
stairs L heard a gruff voice asking for
something, and another, with aqueru-
lous tone in it, giving a reply. My
heart began to beat louder at the
sound. ] tried to keep up my courage
by all the arguments | could think Of.
Nevertheless, my heart sank down in
to my very shoes when the little maid,
with her apron folded over her arm,
and as grimy as ever, opened to me
with curtsy and ''Lar' of delighted
surprise-this door of fate.
CHAPTERv.
I had long time to wait before
Mrs. Harwood came. The morning
sun was shining into the room, MAX
ing everything more dingy. No
doubt it had been busted that morn
ing as well as the little maid could
dust it; but nothing looked pure or
fresh in the brightness Of the light,
which was full of notes, and seemed
to find out dust in every corner. The
dingy cover on the table, the old
fashioned Books of Beauty" the
black horsehair chairs, stood out re-
morse3y shabby in the sunshine. I
wondered what kind of house Ellen
would have when she furnished ore
for herself. Would John and she
show any taste between them
would they ''pick up" pretty
things at sales and old furni-
ture-shops, or would they buy draw
ing-room suite for twenty-five pounds
such as the cheap upholsterers offer to
the unwary? This question amused
me while [ waited, and | was sorry to
think that the new household was to
be. planted in the Levant, and we
should not see how it settled itself.
There was a good deal Of commotion
going on overhead, but [ did not pay
any attention to it. [ pleased myself
arranging a little home for the new
pair-making it pretty for them. Of
her own self Ellen would never, I felt
sure, choose the drawing-room suite in
walnut and blue rep-not now, at
least, after she had been so much with
us. AS for John, he would probably
like any curtain so long as she safe
under its shadow. [ had been some
what afraid of confronting the mother,
and possibly the father; but these
thoughts put my panic out of my
head. These horsehair chairs! was
there ever such an invention of the
evil one? Ellen could not like them;
it was impossible. When | had come
this length my attention was suddenly
attracted by the sounds upstairs; for
there came upon the floor over my
head the sound of foot stamped vio-
lently in apparent fury. There were
voices too; but [ could not make out
what they said. AS to this sound,
however, it was easy enough to make
out what it meant; nothing could be
more suggestive. | trembled and lis
tened, my thoughts taking an entirely
new direction; stamp of anger, Of
rage, and partially of impotence too.
Then there was woman's voice ris-
ing loud in remonstrance. The man
seemed to exclaim and denounce vio-
lently; the woman protested, growing
also louder and louder. | listened
with all my might. 1t was not caves
dropping; for she, at least knew that
[ was there; but, listen as 1 might, [
could not make out what they said
After while there was silence, and |
heard Mrs. Harwood's step coming
Gown the stairs. She paused to do
something, perhaps to her cap or her
eyes, before she opened the door. She
was in a futter Of agitation, the
flowers in FER black cap quivering
through all their wires, her eyes moist,
though looking at me with suspi-
c1ous gaze. She was very much on
her guard, very well aware of my mo-
tive, determined to give me no encour-
agement. All this | read in her vigi-
liant eyes.
Mrs. Harwood, I came to speak to
you-about Mr.. Ridgway, who is a
great friend Of mine, as perhaps you
know.
The poor woman was in great agi-
tation and trouble; but this only
quickened her wits. Il see John
Ridgway every day Of my life," she
said, not without little dignity. He
might say whatever he pleased to me
without asking anybody to spaak for
him."
won't you give your consent to
this marriage?" [ asked. 1t seemed
wisest to plunge into it at once. ut
is my own anxiety that makes me
speak. [ have always been anxious
about it, almost before [ knew them"
"Tbere are other things in the
world besides marriages" she said.
''In this house we have great deal to
think of. My husband-no doubt
you heard his voice just now-he is
great sufferer. For years he has been
confined to that little room upstairs.
That is not very cheerful life"
Here she made pause, which | did
not attempt to interrupt; for she had
disarmed me by this half-appeal to my
sympathy. Then suddenly, with her
voice little shaken and unsteady,
she burst forth. The only company
he has is Ellen. What can | do to
amuse him-to lead his thoughts OFT
himself? | have as much need OF
comfort as he has. The only bright
thing in the house is Ellen. What
would become of us if we were left
only the two together all these long
DAYS? They are long enough as it is.
He has not very good temper, and
he is weary with trouble-who
wouldn't be in his case? John Ridg-
way is a young man with all the
world before him. Why can't he
wait? Why should he want to take
our only comfort away from us?"
Her voice grew shrill and broken
she began to cry. Poor soul! | be-
licve she had been arguing with her