The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-04

regard to their wives, but Nathan was con.
| WINGED
That night when they we're alone he sud
denly exclaimed:
"Clara, how would you like to visit your
mother this fal?"
She looked at him a moment in silence
while wave of crimson swept over her pale
face. Then, turning away, she said broken
| ly:
Don't talk about it, Nat know we can't
afford it, and I'd rather not speak of it,"
But we can afford it, and Martha is will
ing TO keep house for me. Now do you want
to go, dear?"
There was an unconscious tone ofreproach
in his voice, and look of pain in his face
which she could not understand.
"Oh, Nathan ~ she sobbed, with her face
! hidden on his shoulder, don't imagine that
love you any the less, or am tired of our
| little home; but | do want to go. Just
now there is nothing in the world | want so
much, as to see father and mother"
We'll, then, you shall go, little wife
Don't cry so; | didn't know you cared SO
much; but that settles it, you shall CO."
Alter Mrs. Tracy and the baby were gone
Martha looked around the unornamented
rooms and resolved that there should be
something new, something bright and pretty
W "SlCUnC DdCh Tic HOulc- h6cpeI. lie
front room" had never been furnished, but
after considering her resources Martha
thought she could manage it, if she could
persuade Nathan into buying a carpet
"a carpet? Why Martial" he exclaimed
at her proposal, too astonished to say more.
"What was Cara's old home like? You
don't want her to notice too sharp contrast
on her return" said the sister, quietly.
81 may get a carpet" thoughtfully "but
SO many other things would have to fol-
low"
Nat, when father and mother died, we
were going to divide things, but you had no
home then, and while John and l stayed
everything stayed the same When | came
here | sold or packed everything, and there
is a big box for you, which is on the way
here. Besides bedding and clothing, there
are pictures vases, curtains, table-spread.
and some of mothers nice rugs. They will
help furnish the room. I guess you can af-
ford to buy cane-seat rocker and Two chairs,
and we will make the rest"
"pd like to know how"
"There are two bottomless chairs in the era.
narY | will ebonize the frames, cushion seat
and back, and the strips of embroidery and
heavy fringe they will be handsome. That
old rocker which is forever coming to pieces
can be mended and treated likewise, minus
the ecker, and We'll have an easy chair. A
pine table, which you can make stained and
vanished, and covered with the spread, will
do nicely"
"Well, it sounds practicable; I'll help all 1
can"
There will be ottomans to make, mantel
10 put up, and cornice for the curtains. 1t
will take our spare time for all winter, but
how pleased Clara will be"
81 intend to have everything nice for her
some dav.'
Eyes, Nat but woman must have some
thing to live on in the meantime. There's
love ofthe beautiful in every woman's heart,
and it must be satisfied. If surrounded by
grand scenery, the mind can feed on that;
but here, in this level, monoton Gus country,
believe the homes should be very bright
and attractive"
There may be some truth in that, but |
never thought OF it BEFORE" replied Nathan
at is not common for man to think about
the home as a woman does for he mingles
with the world, while most of her hours are
spent inside the four walls. Clara had no
time to fix up anything; that baby was
sight of trouble but if you and the children
help, we can do wonders"
And they did. When Clara came home
four months later, she scarcely knew the
place.
Come and look at your wife," whispered
Martha when Nathan had finished the chores
and was ready for happy evening.
There she was in the pretty room chatting
with the children. Joy and gladness shone
through her face, which had lost its sharp
ness and there was an elasticity in her move
ments which recalled her girlhood.
"She looks ten years younger, Martha land
if can help it she shall never work SO again.
You've taught me lesson I'll not forget
Well take all the comfort we can now five
never get a big house"
"Martha has made this so pretty that we
shan't want another" exclaimed Clara, hear
ing his last remark as they entered the room.
I'm so thankful to you all for this pleasant
homecoming"
"Martha deserves the thanks for she plan
ned it all" said Nathan, catching up the
baby.
"You are a jewel, Martha; and to think
that l was afraid of you and dreaded to have
you Gomez
WAS that because you knew was an old
maid ?" asked Martha laughing.
eyes, that was just it, didn't know, you
see, that you were such blessed old maid"
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