The Baltimore County union., 1885-10-03
Sharing.
BY SYDNEY DAYRE.

summer, John7" asked Mrs. Brace oi
her husband.
"Why, Laura, I was wondering if we
could not draw in a little on our sum-
mer doings this season. Times are very
hard, and"
"Do you mean that we are not to go
to the sea shore, or to the mountains?''
she asked in some surprise.
"Why, I thought perhaps we could
manage the matter more cheaply some
how. But if you really think it must be
done, of course it must"
81 don't know how it would do TO
keep the children in town."
eff you think they need it, all right,
my dear. think you need change
more than they do, to shake off your
cares"
He spoke affectionately and she kiss
ed him and considered it settled, as he
added: 81 shall have to take you and
the children and leave you where you
decide to 60 and then 60 for you. l
must stay by the business, so I'll sleep
in the house while you're gone and take
my meals down town."
Mrs. Brace had been brought up with
the idea that husbands were to be teas
ed and coaxed little on points of ex-
penditure. To do her justice, she was
quite willing to do her part in econo-
mizing when she thought it necessary,
but had become so accustomed to the
idea of business men earning in offices
and warehouses the money to be spent
for home and its luxuries, that she lived
along with little thought as to whether
the burden of life was equally divided
between man and wife.
John wished her good bye as he left
for the days business, and soon after
wards the morning mail brought her a
letter from favorite cousin, which ran
thus:
"Dear Laura We are going to the
Thousand Isles this year, and want you
to join US there. We want to make a
good, long summer of it, so couldn't
you be ready by June 15thl Wish you
would let me know, ifpossible by return
mail, for Henry will wait until we hear
from you, when he will write and en-
gage accommodations for all of us. And
say what amount of room you will need.
Lovingly yours, KATE"
The proposal was pleasant one.
ri believe" she said to herself, as
Kate is in hurry, I'll take a run down
and talk to John about it, after I've fin
ished my shopping this morning. 1t
will make longer absence this summer
than we expected, but he'll agree to it
if / ask him, and then l can let Kate
know by the afternoon mail"
Two hours later Mrs. Brace was max
ing her way farther down town than she
had ever been before. A street car
carried her through unknown distances
oftall, solid, unattractive-lo looking build
ings, very different from those on the
avenues and thoroughfares which made
HIP RPp s.Bths& Gitgrni 6b66ruSshg 6b66r uSsh was set d9XH
express wagons, contriving after some
inquiry to find that one of the dingy
buildings was the mill which ground
out her share of the good things of life.
Little of luxury found its home here.
Sunshine could not make its way be-
tween the high walls, and at some desks
gas was burning at near noon of this
bright day. And there were unwhole-
some smells which Mrs. Brace did not
like.
1t was busy place, with much load
ing and unloading, running to and fro,
and referring to managers and clerks.
Mrs. Brace at length caught sight of her
husband. So many seemed to be claim
ing his attention that she sat down on
box and waited. Glancing at his face,
she was struck with an expression unlike
any she had ever seen upon it at home.
The look of keen, nervous attention to
what was going on seemed to bring out
a sharpness of feature which was new to
her, although it had occurred to her
once or twice lately that John was look
ing rather thinner than usual. But it
had quickly passed from her mind, and
she now gazed uneasily, as it became
more and more impressed upon her that
he really was changed.
A slight lull in the demands upon him
brought upon his face, in place of the
air of falertness, a languid, careworn look
which smote her heart. He leaned his
head upon his hand, and then started,
as she gently laid her hand upon his
shoulder.
"You here, Laura? Anything gone
wrong7'
"No, WAS down town, and took it
into my head to make you visit"
He was gratified at seeing her, and
led her about the warehouse explaining
things pertaining to the business.
"Come with me and spend the rest
of the day at home, John," she urged,
when taking leave of him.
"Couldn't do it, dear. Business is
pressing"
He walked with her to the street car
and she left him with her heart filled to
overhowing with new ideas and new
concerns.
In her tasteful home, with its light
cares, regarded so tenderly by John, she
has never taken thought of what hi:
burdens and his surroundings might be
Now, she had seen his business place
and his business face.
"I have been selfish and heartless,
she said to herself. "How could l ever
endure it to spend my days in such
place? And to think how quietly
agreed with poor John that he coule
stay at work all summer while the res
of us went away for health-which sim
ply means for good time. Not one o
us needs to go half so much as he does.
Arriving at home she wrote to Cousil
Kate her regrets that she could not Joll
her party. :.
"I have been thinking, John, She sai'
to him the same evening, "that where
ever we go this summer you must 60
too
"I can't get away, Laura. 1t will
require the most careful watching t