Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-04-25

through his mind. And perhaps tn
work was oyermuch for his wife, who
hest was but delicate woman.
fresh. cool breeze had sprung VI
from the south, as he went out, walking
slowly, but the sun was burning no
still. Robert Thompson waited TO wlp'
his brows: and in that moment the voice
of his comrades came toward hum iron
the other side of the hedge, where the,
stood in the little shade it cast. :.
Il never pitied woman SO mncn IN, u
my life, quoth one OF them. oh'
works like slave, and does not get ever
a thank ye' for it from Thompson. he i
n goo6 fellow, but uncommon dow
upon the work. Strong as horse HIM
self, he thinks, / suppose, women mus
be the same.
eyes, Bob's a sterling good fellow
but Jane Lawrence made mistake
when she said yes to his asking, saic
the other. sJones, she wasn't cut oui
for farmers wife, especially one who
keeps his folks to it like Thompson does
She's over sensitive delicate; any lady
but she would lave turned long ago and
bid him give herproper help. He won
make his money out OF her many years
if he don't take better care of her; shell
run down fast. Awfully c'hnged she is
she looks as faded as the old house rooms
and they haven't seen O coat of paint
since grandfather Thompson S day.
"Ah, she'd better have took Joe Burn
ham. The LawTences used to have
things nice in their home, and she'd
have got 'em so still if she'd married
Joe. His wife's just gone out in her
pony shay. | say, Jones, l wonder II
Thompson S wifc's ever sorryl"
Was shel The unconscious comments
Of these, his warm friends, came rushing
down ON Robert Thompson's heart and
brain like a bolt of fire. That she re-
jec.ed Burnham for him he knew, when
she came home to the old homestead
and took care Of his invalid mother
Tenderly had she done it, too Could
she be wearing out her life in hard work.
for him; she, the mother of his boys;
she whom me loved well, for all his
churlishness. Robert Thompson stole
away; he could bear his thoughts no
longer, and he felt that he could al
most ldll himself for his blind needless
ness.
Tire afternoon wore on toward even
ing. Mrs. Thompson had finished her
indoor work-the washing up of the
dinner dishes and the putting of the
rooms straight-and was going in with
an armful Of fine things she had taken
from the clothes line. when the sound q
wheels made her look round.
give brought that white ware, Mrs.
Thompson, said the brisk voice Of
Grover, springing from his cart and
lifting down earefullya large hamper.
"But / didn't order it, Mr.. Grover, "
she rejoined, in rather a frightened
voice.
"The master did, though. Mr.. Thomp-
son came down this afternoon and said
the things was to come up to you at
once There's the dinner set you adj
mired and a tea set as well. Where
shall put EN-"
Bring them in, please, she answered,
rather family. He did as he was bid
and then drove off.
Mrs. Thompson sat down by the
hamper of crockery and cried as if her
heart would break. They were magical
tears, too, for they washed all the wear
mess and despair from her face and the
shade from her eyes and heart She
forgot that she was tired or that the day
was hot: she only thought how kind
Robert was, and what wicked woman
she had been for saying to herself in her
temper that she'd rather have had
Squire Burnham Then she unpacked
the treasures, pulling them out from
amid the hay, and singing softly all the
while. o, it was beautiful, that warel
with its clear Opaque white, and here
and there delicate tracing of fuchsia
or convolvulus.
Mr.. Thompson came in and found her
in the midst. "What is this, Jenniei"
he asked-the old fond name he used to
call her.
"Oh, Robert" taking a step toward
him.
He opened his arms and drew her
close to his heart, kissing her as fondly
and tenderly MS he ever had in the days
Of his courtship. 81 have been brute,
little wife, he whispered husbily. "Can
you ever forgive mel"
Forgive your o, Robert / never
was so happy in my life. l have been
10 blame. / have not been so patient
and kind as l might. "
EYES, you have. You've been an
angel compared with me; but that is all I
over now. 1 did not think, Jennie; / /
lid not, indeed"
''But-Robert-"
''You shall have more help in the I
house -another servant. Well get her
N, Jennie, long before the sewing club
night comes round.
30, Robert, how kind you are, feel
Is light as bird.
''And you are, almost, he answered,
smiling little sadly as he looked into
Ter eager face. "Well all turn over a
lew leaf, Jane. Heaven knows 1 did
lot mean to be cruel.
Robert, you were never that.
"Well-we'll let it be; bygones shall
Ne bvgones, if You will. o, L forgot to
ay that / saw Leeds this afternoon. It's
very dull time now, the poor fellow
avs, without job ON hand; so l thought