The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-07-10

a sad state. Though I don't think" he
assured the brothers, ''if shs isn't worried
she will be hard sick. Shes naturally rug
ged. and it's merely simple fracture OF
the forearm. The sprained ankle Will be
the most tedious thing, but L must charge
you to keep her in ignorance OF her hus-
bands death"
Theodore spelled Aunt Polly in caring
for Armida, and never was woman moro
teuderly cared for. Many were the lies he
was forced to tell as Armida was first sur
prised, then indignant, at Jerry's apparent
neglect.
Gwen Lucas has come to the door and
looked at me-" she complained, land Jerry
amt so much as been near me-"
Theodore was fain to concoct Sto ~
about a strained back that would not allc w
Jerry to rise from the bed. When it was
deemed prudent to tell her, the task fell
to Theodore, who was very tender Of his
sister, remembering that, though he con.
sidered Jerry shiftless, poor shack OF a
creature, Armida probably had affection
for him. She took her loss very quietly.
'He was always good to me" she said,
"and he cared for me when no one elss
did,
YOU'RE wrong there" Theodore remon-
strated.
II used to tell myself was" she replied,
sadly, Il know gave the first offense, but
Lucas never would "a done as he did by the
house if he'd cared for me.
Lucas heard the reproach where he stood
out Of sight in the little entry that led to
Armida's room, listening to the brother
and sister as they talked together within.
BE often fingered there, wishing to enter,
but not daring to; longing to atone for the
mhappiness he had caused his sister, but
not knowing how to set about it. He was
one of those dumb natures which have no
language, and it was an impossibility that
he should frankly own his fault and ask
!. s'gfveDess, but he could act, and Armida's
overheard by him, showed him
what to do.
Taking Theodore into his confidence, he
set to work to oblitsrate all outward signs
that made it the divided house." leaving
to his brother the task of keeping it from
Armida. As she enormously inquired what
all the hammeriug and pounding that was
going on in front of the house meant,
Theodore had story ready about the
steps to the front porch being 80 worn out
that Lucas had TO have some new ones or
else break his legs goin' over them. The
smell of paint was accounted for by Lucas
havin' one of his spells of gettin' his side
painted over agn, on which Armida gave
way to tears until her brother comforted
her by saying it didn't make much differ
ence, q new coat couldn't make it any
winter than it was.
When both sides of the front porch were
alike, and the whole house shone with
white paint and there were as many
blinds on one side of the house as the
other, Lucas turned his attention to that
debatable ground, the kitchen.
1t was great day when Armida was
pronounced well enough to eat breakfast
in the kitchen. Hobbling with the aid OF
Theodore's arm, she stepped on the thrssn-
old and looked over to where Lucas stood
by his window. He greeted her with
How are we, Armidy!' but did not leave
his place.
Armida looked about her sit seems
good to git out of my bedroom" she began
then she stopped gazed about her and
sank into convenient chair, eXclaiming
What does it mean!n
For both hers and Lucas old stoves were
gone and new one stood directly before
the middle of the chimney, with its pipe
running into the old pipe-hole that they
used before the house was divided. The
coffee-pot steamed and dubbed over the
fire, and platter of ham and eggs stood
on the hearth, while the table set for break
fast was placed exactly in the center of the
room, whose dividing line had been wiped
out by the paint-brush that had made Lu-
cas's side shine with yellow paint like her
own.
What does it mean?" she cried, trem.
bling and clutching at Theodore's arm.
Theodore said nothing, but slipped out OF
the room, and Lucas, after an wkward
pause, said: "Armidy, l wanted, if you
was willin', that we should quit dom as
we have done, and have things together as
we used to. Seems as if it would be pleas
saSsr, and if you can forgive what I've
done. I'll try to make it up to ye."
why Lucas! Why, Lucasl ' was all she
could saw
81 know 1 hain't done by We like a
brother said Lucas, anxious to get his
self-imposed humiliation over, land I'm
sorry, and I'd like to begin over again"
Pm just as much transgressor as you
be-" said Armida anxious to spare him.
''If hadn't said what did l s'pose you'd
married Ianthe, and like as not had a
family round ye."
~ don't know as | care now, said Lucas
81 have felt hard to ye, Armida, but | see
Ianthe last March"-he laughed-'and
didn't mourn much that her name want
Huxter. But that's neither here nor there.
If you feel as if you could get along with
two old brothers to look after instead of
one. and overlook what's passed"
I'D be glad to, Lucas, if you won't lay
up any thing against me-"
well, then" and, coming to her side,
Lucas bent over her, and, to her great sur
prise kissed her Turning away before she
could return the kiss, he opened the back
door and called to Theodore.
As Theodore came in, Lucas said: IF
you had a shawl around we, Armidy,
wouldn't you like to get out minute be-
fore breakfast" and without waiting for
an answer, he brought her shawl and
wrapped it round her, then put on her
bonnet.
Cant you and l." he said to Theodore,
make chair and take her out! You
hain't forgot sence you left school, hev
youa"
Locking their hands together they formed
what school children called chair, and
lifting Armida between them carried her
through the hall, out at the front door
down the walk to the gate and turned
round; while Theodore babe his sister look
up at the house. Armida obeyed. She saw
the house glistening with paint, her side OF
it as white as Lucas, and blinds adjoining
her front windows, while the front porch,
with new laid floor and steps and bristling
with brackets, was, in her eyes, the most
imposing of entrances.
Could it be truel she asked herself, anC
shut her eyes, then glanced again, theI
looked at her brothers, who were both
silent, Theodore smiling with joy, whil
Lucas looked gravely down at her.
20, Lucasl" she cried, throwing he
arms around his neck, you done this TO
Smkn
I Il told you ] was sorry, Armidy," hi
said.-Julia d. Whiting, IN Louisville Courie,
journal.