The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-09-13

Sslhss vss convinced. Thai bisAl vhsr
they we're alone be suddealy ssslsinsd.
CLARA. hov vcuid you Ne 70 visiI
your mother this fall 7"
She looked Il him monea(ie siIsnce
while wave Of crimson sssot over bel
pale face. Then iafniag assy. shs said
brckenly;
Don't talk about il MAJ; / knov VI
cant afford il aud Ia rather - speak
Of IT,"
"But 70 can afford il. ssd Martha il
willing to keep house for - Nov, do
you want TO 90 dear n
There was 40 unconscious leok Of pain
on bis face aud . tone Of rspeosph 10 his
voice which she could not uslsntard.
"ob. Nathan she sobbsd vith hss lace
hidden on bis shoulder. .'dont Imagine
love you any the lsss, or en- ursd 81 our
little home: but l do want 20 nseb 70 sse
my father and mother"
well, then. you shall "a. nttis wife.
Don't cry so. Ididn't ksos yos cared
20 much; but thss sssslss = ~ sAsll 60.
After Mrs.. Tracy snd her bsbY wsss
gooe. Martha looked around The unorns
msnted room and resolved that there
should be something new. something
bright aud pretty 10 welcome back the
housekeeper. The front room" bad nev
er been furnished, but after considering
her resources Msrths thought she could
manage II II she could persuade Nathan
into buying . carpet.
"a carpet ? Why. Martha ?" he ex
claimed at her propssal, too astonished 10
say more
"Whst was Clara's old home like You
don't want her TO notice too sharp coz
trsst on her return, said the sister, qui.
etly.
Il may get new carpet. thoushtfully;
but so many things would have TO follow.
"Nat, when father and mother died, we
we're going to divide the things, but you
had no home then. and while John and
stayed. everything remained the same
When i came here sold or packed every
thing. and there is big box for you,
which is on its way here. Besides bed
ding and clothing there are pictures,
curtains, vases aud table spread. aud
some Of mothers nice rugs. They will !
help to furnish the room. guess you
can afford TO buy cane seat rocker and
two chairs. and we'll make the rest"
"I'd like to know how"
"There are two bottomless chairs 10 the
grsnsry. l will ebonizs the frames, cush.
ion scat aud back, and with the strips OF
embroidery and heavy fringe they will be
handsome. Thed rocker. which is for
over coming to pieces. can be mended and
,rested likewise, minus the rockers aud
vou'll have an easy chair. A pine table,
which you can make. stained and vsrnish-
ID and covered with the spaead. will do
nicely"
"Well. it sounds practicable. Ill help
II can"
"There will be ottomans to make, .
nantel to put up and cornice for the
'nrtains. 1t will take al our spare time
ii winter. but how pleased Clara will be.
II intend to have everything nice for
Ter some day."
Eyes, Nat; but . woman must havs (
to live on in the meantime
there's love Of the beautiful 10 every wo- {
mans heart and il must be satisfied. II {
urrounded by grand scenery the mind {
an feed on that; but here, 10 this level, |
aonotonous country, believe the houses
honld be very bright and attractive. ("
"There may be some truth 10 that, but
never thought Of il before. replied Ma
han.
ut is not common for man TO think
bout the house as woman does, for be J
ANGLES with the world. while most OF her {
ours are spent inside the four walls; Z
lara had no time to fix up anything; the
aby was sight Of trouble; but II you
nd the children help. We can do wonders
And they did. When Clara csme home
our months later she scarcely knew the :
lace. 9
Come and look ct your wife. whisper q
d Martha, when Nathan had finished bis {
hores and WAS ready for happy evening.
There shs was in the pretty room. chat '
ng with the children. Joy aud glainess 8
hone through her face. which had lost /
q sharpness and pslior. ami there was an
ssticity 10 her movements which recall /
her eiilhooi. d
"Shs looks ten years younger, Martha; {
I'd II | can help II she'll never work so a
gaia. You've taught me lesson III Il
ever forget Well take all the comfort q
Q eau now. il We never have big house.
"Martha has made 1t 50 pretty that We
,snt want another" exclaimed Clara, b
sarioe bis last remark - they entered Ii
'e room. I'm 20 thrnkfnl to you all for ii
lie pleasant home coming. 4
"Martha deserves the thanks, for she a
AIMED it sll. said Nathan. catching up .
Ie baby. 4,
You are jewel. Martha; aud 10 think b
was afraid OF you. and dreaded TO have
,n come h
"wss that because you knew was 40 '
d maid p said Martha. laughing.
"Yes, that's just it. ldidDt know. you a
e, that you we're such blessed old O
sil. :"
Oh mothers. do not fold the hands q
ross your empty lap. and cay st atty, D
The story is told" II bone has been 20 2
absorbing that outside Interests have u