The Washington critic., 1886-02-27
her and the surcst. Think it over,


garded his wife whenever he thought
himself unobscrvcd. Husbands are
often the blindest of persons in regard
vinced. That night, when they were
alone, he said:
"Clara, how would you like to visit
your mother this fall2'
She looked at him moment in
silence, while wave of crimson swept
over her pale face. Then, turning
away, she said brokenly:
Don't talk about IL, Nat; know
we cant afford 1t, and | rather not
speak of It,"
"But we can afford II, and Martha is
willing 10 keep house for me. Now do
you want to go, my dear?'
There was an uncouncious tone of
reproach in his voice, and look of
pain in his face which she could not
understand.
"Oh, Nathan, don't imagine that
love you any the less, or that am tired
of our dear little home; but l do want
to go. Just now there isnothing in the
world want so much as TO see father
and mother" she sobbed, with her
face hidden on her husband s shoulder.
"Well, then, you shall go, little wife.
Don't cry SO; didn't know you cared
so much; but that settlcsit. You shall
CO."
After Mrs. Tracy and the baby were
gone Martha looked around the unor-
namentcd rooms and resolved that
there should be something new, some
thing bright and pretty to welcome
back the housekeeper. The front
room had never been furnished, but,
after considering her resources, Mar
tina thought she could manage 1t IL she
could persuade Nathan into buying a
carpet.
"a carpet? Why, Martha p he ex-
claimed at her proposal, too astonished
to say more.
"What was Clara's old home like ?
You don't want her to notice too sharp
contrast on her return" said the sis.
ter, quietly.
II might get carpet, but so many
other things would have to follow"
MAT, when father and mother died
we were going to divide things, but
you had no home then, and while John
same. When | came here | sold or
puchcu cNci lhlHS, anu ohcrc 10 IL piS
| box for you which is on its way out
here. Besides bedding and clothing
there are pictures, vases, curtains, a
| table-spread and some OF mother nice
rugs. They will help furnish the
room. guess you can afford to buy q
cane.seat rocker and two chairs, and
we'll make the rest"
"Pd like to know how"
''There are two bottomless chairs in
the granary; will ebonize the frames.
cushion seat and back, and with strips
of embroidery and heavy fringe they
will be handsome. That old rocker
which is forever coming to pieces can
be mcnded and treated likewise, minus
the rockers, and you'll have an easy
chair. A pine table, which you can
make, stained and vanished and COW
cred with the spread, will do nicely. "
We'll, it sounds practicable. I'll
help all ! can"
"There will be ottomans to make, a
mantel to put up and cornice for the
curtains. 1t will take our spare time
for all winter. But how pleased Clara
will be-"
II intend to have everything nice for
her some day.
eyes, Nat; but woman must have
something to live on in the meantime.
There's love of the beautiful in every
woman's heat, and it must be satisfied.
If surrounded by grand scenery the
mind can feed on that; but here in this
monotonous country l believe the
homes should be very bright and at
tractive."
"There may be some truth in that,
but never thought of it before" re-
piled Nathan.
ut is not common for man to think
about the house as woman does.
Clara had no time to fix up anything
that baby was q sight of trouble; but II
you and the children help we can dc
wonders"
| And they did. When Clara came
homo 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.
with the children. Joy and gladnes'
shonc through her face, which had
lost its sharpness, and pallor, and there
| WIS uu cldsuCity III hcI iiONCiilcut'
which recalled her girlhood.
''She looks ten years younger
Martha, and if ] can help 1t she shal
never work so again, even If we never
get big house."
Martha has made this so pretty that
we sha'n't want another" exclaimed
Clara, hearing his last remark as they
entered the room. "I'm so Thankful
to you all for this pleasant home
coming"
martha deserves the thanks for sh,
planned it all" said Nathan, catching
up the baby.
"You are a jewel, Martha; aud tt
think that | was afraid of you ant
dreaded to have you come -
"Was that because | was an ole
maid ?" asked Martha, laughing,
YES, that was just it, / didn'
know, you see, that you were such
blessed old maid. ="