Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-10-19
THE WEDDING CLOUD.

tiny parlOr, DrlSnteueu tHo hA0 "N
made it even more cheerful than usual
and Bessie was always tidy, for this
was the anniversary of Bessie's wedding
day, and she meant to make 1t hol-
day.
Just one short, happy year she had
kept house for John Burton-big broad
shouldered, good natured John, whose
sunny blue eyes had never yet turned
an angry look to Bessie's fair face,
whose sweet mouth (yes, John had q
splendid, tawny mustaehe and he never
used tobacco) had never given her one
cross word yet.
A busy, helpful little bee had Bess
herself been. for nobcdy's heart was
brighter, nobody's table was neater,
onbody's little wife was more CHEEKY
than John Burton's, and neither of item
had ever repented the day when they
were made one.
Mrs. Bess bad little secret from
John, though. to-day.
After her work was done up, ana the
table set ready for the dinner which was
all eady kissing and bubbling on the
stove, she paid visit to the little bed
room off the parlor, where she always
put her company to sleep, and where
John hardly ever went.
And there spread out upon the snowy
bed was Mrs. Bessie's great gift to John
"a gorgeous dressing gown of maroon
colored cashmere, faced with darker
shade of maroon velvet, and lined with
the skirts of Bessie's wedding blue silk
dress.
1t was all done now except the last
buttonhole.
Bessie had made 1t herself, because
the materials had cost about six dollars,
and she didn't think she could afford
two or three more for making.
She was delighted with her success,
for it was quite an undertaking for a
new hand.
She finished the buttonhole. fastened
the cord and tassels securely, and then
laid it back upon the bed, and looked
at it with an admiring gaze.
"Im glad it looks so nice," she
thought, her bright brown eyes spark
ling with pleasure.
'It's all ready now to give him when
he comes home at noon
''Iwonder what he'll give me?" Some
thing Of course, but he can't afford so
costly present as this,
81 couldn't either, if hadn't made
it myself, and took my dear old we'd
ding-dress for lining, and saved every
penny could from the Housekeeping
money.
"I Imeant 20 take the sovereign and go
this very night to PATHS concert, but
when I found 1 couldn't spare any more
was bound to make John wrapper,
anyhow. Now I must run and hurry
up dinner before the old darling comes.
''In not say a word till he does, I'll
make believe I haven't even remem-
bered what day it is until he speaks Of
it, and then I'll surprise him"
The bedroom door was carefully shut,
and the little tipping feet went out to
the kitchen, and made light, hasty
steps from pantry to cellar and back
again, until the cosy little dinner, with
some of Johns favorite dishes was all
ready.
She put the last shining spoon upon
the table as the click OF the gate-latch
told her that John was coming, even
before his quick. firm tread came round
to the side door,"
She met him with her rosy mouth
lifted, and as John gave her hasty
kiss. he cried.
s.Halloa, Bess, dinner smells goodl
I'm as hungry as hunter.
He threw off his coat and began to
wash at the little stand in the sitting
room, which was also their bedroom,
as the house was small, while Bessie
went into the kitchen to dish up the
warm dishes waiting upon the hearth.
There was pretty little pout on Bes-
sie's red mouth, and she thought. .."I
think he might have said something
more than thatl I wonder it he has for
gotten what day it is? Oh, surely, he
hasn't, maybe he is only tired and hum
CRY; after he has had his dinner he
Will say something. won't till he
does"
So they sat down, and Bessie poured
out Johns coffee, under the genial In
fuence of which he was soon quite
lively, and chatted in good spirits.
But not syllable did he drop about
the day. and, as he grew merry, Bessie's
pretty face grew sober.
When dinner was over, he fingered 9
little, and Bessie, seeing she was not