Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-06-21
HIS SECOND WIFE.
She Teaches Her Husband q Les
son in Consistency.

shower. that Emily Arden first saw
her new home. the old stone house. all
wreathedsin blossoming pink roses.
with the row of giant sycamores in
front. and the pair of box monsters by
the door. the dragon with his head
grown to one side, and the peacock
whose tail had been frozen off in that
bitter spell last March.
No bride in all the history of we'd
ding rings was ever happier than
Emily Arden. True, she had given
herself to widower. but Tom Arden
was young and handsome. and very
much in love; and as she crossed the
threshold into the sweet-scented,
prettily furnished house, a vague sem
sation of tender pity for the loved and
lost first wife who had once reigned
there entered her heart.
welcome home, my darling" said
Tom, with kiss. as he led her in. Il
only hope you won't be lonesome here,
after your city life"
"Ohr' cried Emily. Il love the
country of all things l am sure 1
shall be happy"
Tea was ready in cheerful little
room. where vail of white and buff
honeysuckles swayed to and fro be-
tween them and the sunset, and an
ideal banquet of buttermilk. biscuit,
fresh strawberries and cream. and
newly baked sponge-cake was spread
on the table. And afterwards she
and Tom sat on the porch and listened
to the song of the whip-poor-will. and
| watched the moon rise. and Emily
could have shed tears to think of poor,
dead Clarissa. who was the first wife,
and who never could sit by Toms side
and be happy any more.
The next morning. after breakfast.
the white-aproned maid came to Mrs.
Arden with the keys.
"Pm ready, now. am" said she.
"to show you where the closets are.
and whereabouts the things are kept"
but am busy just now" said the
bride, who was taking fine laces out of
her trunk. and arranging them in the
bureau drawers.
"Im sorry, ma'am." said Jane.
"but I've got to leave in the noon
train. and
"To leaver' echoed Mrs. Arden.
"Why. Jane. where are yeu going?
Aren't you my maid?"
"No, ma'am'' said Jane. smiling
and iimpling. Il was only hired just
to come here until you and the master
got back. I've regular work. ma am.
in the factory"
"Who hired you?''
1.-The old lady, ma am-Mr. Arden's
mother. She that lives down in the
cottage by the factory. It's her.
ma'am. as always looks after things
here"
Emily opened her eyes wider and
wider.
"But who is to do the work?'' said
she.
"Why, you. ma'am. Of course" ex-
planned Jane. 1.-THE old lady don't
believe in hired girls. She says there's
no reason why a healthy, smart young
woman shouldn't do the work herself.
And perhaps there isn't. ma am. when
one comes to think of il" added Jane,
smoothing down her apron. ANY
how, ma am, that's what the old lady
says"
But what has the old lady got to
do with it," persisted Mrs. Arden.
still bewildered.
"Well. ma am" said Jane, uneasily
lingering the key basket, "it amt my
business to meddle with what don't
concern me, but you seem such a nice
spoken. pleasant lady. and it does seem
a pity you should be put upon; and 1
may rs we'll tell you now that it was
that killed Mr.. Arden's first wife,
WHAT cried the bride.
Hard work, ma am" SAID Jane.
| You see, she was a delicate young
lady; and Mr. Arden's mother. she
couldn't see why Mrs. Thomas shouldn't
do just what she had done about the
house. never once stopping to think as
she was as strong as cart-hOrse and
MS 1uOluaS WAS Silll tlu 1ctuic.
But she had brave spirit, had Mrs.
Thomas. and she wouldn't own as she
was doing too much. till one day she
just dropped and died. The neighbors.
ma am, they said it was worse than
murder But the old lady's will was
lawm
Il see." said Emily. slowly; and she
went to work arranging the laces once
more. Il am sorry to lose you. Jane,
bu: we must not go against the old
lady's wishes"
She got the tea herself that night-a
pretty. appetizing meal-and then she
preached to her husband the alien
crossing subject that was occupying
her own mind.
"Tom." said she, "what am to do
for a servant?,.
"A servant my dear?" said Tom.
"Why, what do we want of servants