Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-03-01
When john came to dinner he was


dressed up" as she blushingly said. in
clean print dress and white apron.
her dear old face showing no sign OF
heat or WEAKNESS. while Daisy, with
added bloom and bare white arms. was
carrying in the dinner.
"The new girl. at your service" she
said saucily, as she pulled down her
sleeves. Dinner is ready, sir"
But her lips quivered as he bent
over her and whispered. God bless
you, dear! Forgive me If Twas too
hasty this morning" g
1t was merry meal. They made a
play that was more than half earnest
of Aunt Mary's being a great lady who
was to be waited upon, and not allow
ed to rise from the table upon any
consideration. Dinner over, John re-
turned to his ploughing, and Aunt
Mary. firmly refusing to sit in idleness.
was allowed TO wash cups and saucers,
while Daisy made short work of pots
and pans.
John said but little as the days wore
on and still found Daisy at her post.
1t was not in the nature of things for
Aunt Mary TO sit with folded hands,
but it became Daisy's task to inaugu-
rate daily maps, to SEQ that only the
light work came 10 the older hands, to
make daily work less of toll and
more of u pleasure.
Aud the young girl herself was sur
prised to find how much she enjoyed
the life that had seemed 10 her mere
drudgerv.
With younger hands to carry on the
domestic affairs. they ceased to en-
gross every hour of the day. and John
encouraged Daisy in making use of the
stiff, shut.up parlor as daily sitting
room. A pair of muslin curtains at
each window were skilfulIy draped
to keep out the flies, the centre table
resigned its gay vase of stiff artificial
flowers and stand of wax fruit. 10
make room for two dainty work bas-
kels for afternoon work" and the
periodicals John took in.
Over the shiny horse hair sofa and
chairs pretty bits of embroidery were
drapcd. and fresh flowers were sup,
piled each day. Aunt Mary's caps
her collars. and aprons were adjusted
to suit the new order of things. and
the easiest of chairs stood ever ready
for her resting time.
And John, bringing to his task the
same will and brains that had carried
him through college, was inaugurating
a new order of affairs on the farm,
and made the work pay well.
Once more came Il June day, when
Daisy sat in the fields, and John stood
leaning against the fence beside her.
Four years of earnest, loving work
had left traces upon both young faces
ennOblng them, and yet leaving tC
them all the glad content that rewards
well-doiDg.
Many hours of self denial both hat
met brays!y; many doprivations botI
had borne well. Daisy wore black
dress, and upon the hat in Johns hanC
was band of Grape, but through /;
sadness in their voices there yet rang {
tone of happiness.
you love me, Daisy?" John hac
said to her.
when have not loved you?" sh,
answered.
"And YOU will be my wife? Darling
| have long loved you, but after Aun
Mary was struck down with paralysi
| would not ask you to take up neV
duties. Now she needs you no longer
and YOU shall leave the farm wheneve
You wish"
Leave the farm! Oh, John. mus
we leave it? | thought it was your
now"
$50 it is
"And on have made it so beautiful
as well as profitable! Oh, John, VIII
must me leave it?'
"Only because thought it was you
wish. "
at would break my heart to Q
away. love my home"
And John. taking the little figure in
to close embrace, wondered if an
city could produce a sweeter. daintie
little lady than the one he held in hi
arms.