The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-04-12
Helen drew long breath, but she did

Helen drew a long breath, but she die
not speak.
And there are s)me other suspecte,
interventiOns that l miss, continued
Margaret. Those two pretty housemaid
with white, caps, and the pink cheek
and bright eyes, who swept and busted
and waited so beautifully; and the
coachman, with the shining carriage
and horses, that came so punctually tC
your door every morning-they stood
between you and your health. felt al
most sure of it. Don't you remember the
headaches and languor you used to suf-
fer from2 And the rubbists that used ia
visit you, and the doctors electrical in
strumentsS
couldn't afford them now, said Mrs,
Worden. Such bills would ruin us.
And now you do not need them. You
look 50 firm and active, and you have
such color in your cheeks. Forgi re me
dear, but noticed the mOuthfuls you
took between spreading the baby's bread
and cutting Mabels meat and helping
me, and saw that you were hungr'.
/ hardly have Il 10 know it, but
am real hungry at meal times And
have wondered to find how many hours
at time could be on my feet. Indeed
| am thankful for better health. What
should have done without it1
And, my dear, where is Johns cigar!
Oh he gave it up? Wasn't it good OF
him? Right in the midst of the trouble,
too. l was frightened to have him do
it, and yet was glad. When l married
him thought liked the odor of good
cigar but it was getting to be always IN
his mouth. was jealous of it 1t SEEM
ed to make him indifferent even to me.
Yes, | will own that there was an inter
ventlon between us. Margaret. And oh
how kind and good he is! If you were
not here he would be reading the paper
to me, and talking about it, too.
Then am an Intervention now?
No. no: it's far better to talk with you
than to hear any newspaper But, in
deed our trouble has brought
US nearer to one another. He has been
my great, great comfort.
And YOU have been his. Dear Helen, |
think you have taken it all so nobly,
The tears came to Helen's eyes, and
she wept little with her head upon her
friends shoulder Presently she said
We have learned to say, Give us this
day our daily bread, with some real ask
ing in the prayer.
There were interventions between you
and God swept away in that loss?
Yes; we had come near to him asking
for common things--shelter and work,
and sense to know how to live this new
life.
Then, if God has put you in better
possession of your health, and your chill.
dren and your husband, and Himself
this year, don't you think we ought ia
have growing, happy year ?
Does he always leave the best said
Helen.
Always; he only kes what inter
venes between us and that.
And there was very happy New
Years next day, when Mr.. and Mrs.
Worden, with Maurice, went peacefully
to church, and Margaret took Jessie into
the kitchen with her and allowed her to
help dress the turkey, and make the
cranberry sauce and snow the potatoes
yes, and even let her make lemon
pudding with her own hands. Over that
pudding was more pride and rejoicing
than over the finest royal diplomatique
that ever French cook manufactured,
1t is true that there were only two
courses at that dinner, instead of seven
at last years, and there was no company
except Margaret. But there were some
flowers which she had secretly sent
Bridget and Mabel and the baby to bug
and there were four good children, who
did not come and go with the desert, but
sat through the dinner like little gentle
men and ladies', and were unspeakably
happy playing games afterward.
And when they were in bed, the faith
er said thoughtfuly.
Helen, believe there are some ways
in which this home is a better one for
our children than the old one.
Please God, we will make it so, said
Helen, humbly.