The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-06
THE TWO WIVES.
Which shall it be?"

THE TWO WIVES.
(which shall it be?"
The speaker was scarce more than
thirty years old, full of health and vigor,
the Junior and working partner in an
old establishl d business house in small
city.
1t was Sabbath evening. His wife
Ind been playing the piano, and he had
been singing the Sunday y-sohooI hymns
with their children of seven and five
years old. They were pretty, Affection
nte, bright children, and the parents
hearts had been knit closer to them
these last few weeks, since the toddling
wee one had been laid, in fower-filled
casket, beneath the cold white snow.
Sunday was not a day OF sacred rest,
but an ottday from business and care,
and Mr.. Brooks laying back in his Ioung-
ing-chalr, put aside the magazine he had
b.en reading, while his wife put the
children to bed, and resumed the sub
lect on which they had been talking the
most Of the day.
'"The Baldwin house." she answered,
with aasmile-just the smilea woman OF
tact wears VII eli she wishes her husbands
affection to bias his Judgment.
Mr.. Brooks whistled minute.
''If We take the Gilmore cottage, can
pay down for it. Our furniture will be
enough for 1T, and we can live nicely and
plainly without gong into debt one dol
Inr, and five yenrs hence I Can buy any
place in town."
People like Mr.. Baldwin do not die
"very five years, and piuces like his are
not thrown into the market once IN
twenty five years.
II can build house."
''But my dear husband, not at half
cost. And it would take lifetime to
grow such trees. 1t is most beautiful
place, and in most perfect repair"
IL know all that. 1t is much better
worth It's price than the Elmore cottage
worth lis price. But do hate debt
and mortgage. But perhaps, rs you
say, the reduced price ought to decide
IT."
II am sure it ought, and we will make
the old furniture do for time"
'"The rooms are much larger, and our
carpets are not lndla-rubber!"
II have thought OF that. 1 can make
the best Of the cnrpets into mats, and"
with q playful smile, ''imagine them
Turkish rugs!"
You are such shrewed manager. T
can pay for the house soon," he said.
And the house was bought, one-third
paid down, and two-thirds on a mort
gage. Wise business men congratulated
Mr. Brooks, as the place was sold below
ITS value, for the heirs were not near of
kin, and did not wish il, OF the care of
it.
And now Mrs. Brooks was happy,
Her early home had been one of large
wealth, and she loved style, and was
used to and fitted for gay society. But
her father speculated in stocks and went
down. lie moved to his native town
and hired cottage just out OF the oity.
But the disappointed mans brain gave
way, and the two lone women, in the
new circumstances and surroundings,
were SO brave. and watched over the
paraiytic 50 unmurmurngly, that all
hearts sympathized with them. and
Brooks, then only trusted clerk, dared
offer and was thanked for many thought
full and delicate kindness. And when
death relieved the watched over and the
watchers he had won the love he had
craved. afr.
In that cottage they sat tonight.
Eight years they had been happy in it.
Three lives had come to it. The grand
mother and tho little one had gone out
from 1t. Thus they had known Joy and
sorrow, but they had been content, as
one is content who feels that every to-
morrow will be brighter than to-day.
The looked for tomorrow had now
come. And the early days came back
to Mrs. Brooks with force she had
thought all spent.
One parlor was closed. A new rich
carpet was bought for the other, and the
paintings, books, statuettes, and bric-a-
brac which the refined tastoof Mr.. King
had selected when rich, and which pov.
efty could not take from him, but which
III the small rooms Of the cottage had
needs been scattered, were brought to-
gether in IT, and gave the elegant room
u tone and air OF refinement which mere
wealth had never gwen 1t.
The first evening that they sat I'M II
Z Mr. Brooks. with keen enioyment of
'life's Injuries such as lie had never be-
tore known. said: s.
II am glad [ bought this place. T did
not know we had 80 many elegant things
Until your artistic taste brought them
together. This is the finest room in the
CITY,. q
II have no doubt it is. fhave tried
to arrange 1t as my father had his library.
! wish he could sec 1T. .
Perhaps he does. That cottage was
nice to 'ae. but how meaere it naust have