The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-08-24
chimed in another mower, as he took up the

hated him Never had the two hours be-
tween lunch and dinner dragged SO slowly
AS he rode round and round the field with the
sharp rattle of the moving machine he guild
ed in his care, his mind was continually busy
with Lettys looks, and her words, and his
eyes turned often to the cream-colored farm
house, behind who spruce green blinds his
wife was busy preparing dinner.
81 used to think how happy should be if
lever persuaded her to come here, . he
thought ut is two years-why, declare,
it is two years this very day that we were
married wonder if she remembers it !
But it isu't very likely when she says she
hates me.
Did she rememberp All, in that very re-
memberance lay the sting
All that morning, while she got breakfast
at five o'clock, and washed dishes, swept the
rooms made the beds, churned butter and
prepared a a heavy lunch for six men, her
heart turned back to that other morning,
twenty-four months ago, when the bright
eyed country maiden rose at four o'clock to
complete her preparatiofts for her wedding
day. ns9G
How good; how kind, how handsome, he
was theni How his eyes followed her how
his love blessed her
Was it all her fault that the bloom and
beauty of fife had departed in those two yearsp
Looking back she could see no day in which
she had not at least tried TO do her duty.
And looking in her glass, she saw how the
light and glow Of youth had passed from her
face while accomplishing the task uncheered
by the approval of the man she loved.
"George has kept bis color and his good
looks because his work lies out of doors she
unused, "but have worked in this old kitch-
en- until look old enough to be his motherr'
she paused with bitter Taught almost
wish / was his mother then he would be
suited with what did z
Noon came. The twelve O'Clock whistle
sounded sharp and clear from the factory in
the village mile away and before the
whistle ceased a little figure stepped out on
the side porch of the Brewster house and blew
a horn.
There's a woman for you,n said Solomon
Wyse, admirably. "Dnner to the minute
and won't it be good ono y
The dinner indeed was a success. Every
dainty of the season and the farm was there,
skillfully cooked and neatly served on table
in the cool dining-room--a table covered with
a snowy cloth fresh from its folds, and glass
and china. In the centre of the table stood a
great china bowl full of red roses that perlum-
ed the room. Her cheeks were red, her eyes
shone dark and bright, and her words and
smiles were ready-for every one saveaieorge
As she sat- grave and silent, at the foot of
the table, he looked at her wonderingly. She
wore dress of silver gray alpaca that had
been her travelling dress when they were mar
ried. A large white apron with bib shield
ed the glories of the costume. Bnt why did
she put it on? Surely, she could not think
of "going visiting that afternoon, with six
haymakers to get tea for and the milk of
eight cows to attend to afterward.
The question burned upon his tongue as
he fingered moment behind the other men.
But he finally went out without asking it.
The wife, who was afraid she hated him,
seemed almost like stranger, although she
looked SO much on this occasion like the girl
he had married just two years ago.
As George neared the door of the wood shed
where the MEN were lounging away the rest
of their Incoming, he heard his own name ut
tered by Solomon Wyse, in tones of anger.
Involuntarily he stayed his steps.
Yes, knew George from a baby up, and
always said he'd make likely man. But
vow it's shame to see how he treats that
pretty little creature Such a lunch this
morning and such dinner this noon, in such
nice, cool room, with the red roses and all
the rest of it ! and she just as pretty asa pic
ture, with her red cheeks and bright eyes and
her wavy hair, and dressed as neat as pink,
too And he sitting there as glum as cross
old man of ninety. | was ashamed of him"
.I've heard be does nothing but find fault
with her all day long, said second voice.
" My wife says If l threw my mother into her
teeth, as George does into Letty's, she'd run
away from me before was day older"
.And serve you right, chimes in third.
"I'll tell you what my wife says She says
it is confounded mean and small Of George
not to keep woman here to help his wife
And when saw the dinner to-day that the
pretty little thing had got for us, all alone, l
thought SO too. Hang me il | hadn't half a
mind to stop here this afternoon and help her
wash up that great pile Of dishes It's
enough to kin the woman to have all that
work to do. And George is rich. What on
earth is he thinking about? But he'll be
sorry for this year or two hence, when we
have to come here on different errand.t..
/" To carry her. out in coffin" said Solomon
Wyse. i. Yes, suppose it viii come to that
if some Of us don't talk seriously to George
She don't look at all strong now, and her
hand trembled when she changed my plate.
It's burning shame, and if none of you will
talk to George about it, WILL"
They moved off to the bayfield,, talking as
they went. sa
But when George Brewster Joined them,
Solomon Wyse deemed it prudent TO defer the
proposed talking to- for his brow was
black as night, and he had no more to say to
his neighbors now than to his wife at the din
ner table. Ig