Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-26

4
fish out of tarnish.
There are circumstances that may
alter cRses-and promises" returned
Mrs. Wayt, deprecatingly. II can not
but feel that we may begin to argue
and determine from q different stand
point. wish you could be q little more
sanguine, dear"
you don't wish it more than 1 do,
sister! wasn't built upon the Hope
on, Hope ever plan. My utmost effort
in that direction Is to make the best OF
what can not be bettered. And since
you have said Yes to this painting
scheme we will think only of what q
boom 1t will be to Hester. Tho new
cook is n more imminent difficulty.
This house is large, and the salary
excellent, I admit, but it would have
been wise to wait until our arrival be-
fore engaging her"
She knew that her sister was as much
surprised as herself at Mr.. Wayt's COM
nilsson to Mrs. Gilchrist, also. that the
wife would not plead this ignorance in
self-defence.
Homer, you and l could have
divided the housework, as we did
in other places" continued Hetty, at
! lacking n row of forks, now that the
spoons were done with, land we could
hire a woman by tho day to wash and
iron. The cook may justify Mrs. Gill
christ's recommendation. I dare say she
will. Only-but I'll not utter another
croak to-dayl You are an angelic
optimist, and l am given over to
pessimism of the opposite type. We
will accept Mary Anne, and the rest of
the goods tho Fairhill gods provide,
including the open-air studio, eat
drink. and be merry, and make up our
minds tomorrow we srOn't diel I'd seal
the covenant with a kiss If were quite
! certain that l am not Silicon-ed up to
the eyes"
Mrs. Wayt bore a panied and heavy
! heart to the nursery and her mending-
basket, She loved Hetty fondly, and
with what abundant reason no one
know so we'll as the heroic wife of
! selfishly-ecccntric man. She trusted
her sisters sterling sense, and, in most
instances, was willing to abide by her
| Judgment, but there were radical diff
fercnces in their views upon GER
tain subjects The very pains
Hctty took to avert open dis
cussion of what lay like a carking
blight upon the spirits Of both, caused
friction and rawncss, and the feigned
lcvity with which she closed the door
upon the topic would have been insult
from any one else. She had no alter
! native but to submit; no help but in
! the Refuge of all pure souls, tempted
almost cut of measure by the sins and
pCrversitioS of those dearest to them.
! Upon the knees of her heart she be-
sought wisdom and comfort, and-sweet
satire upon the pious duty of self-ex-
neutrality-suspicious. for her intoler-
ance of others foibles!
Baby Annie was building block
houses upon the floor, and filling them
with dandClions. Homer had brought
small baskctful up to her just before
Mrs. Wayt was summoned to her visitor,
and had helped the child erect a castle
while the mother was below. Upon
| her entrance, he shuffled out as sheep
ishly as If she had detected him riding
the pockets of her husbands Sunday
clothes. They lay over q chair by her
work table. While she prayed, her
fingers piled the needle upon ripped
| lining and two loose buttons.
"IIeo, mamma" entreated the little
one. lilo many dandeyions! Annie
mako house for dee papa!" The
mother stopped to kiss her; tea.
| splashcd upon the mass of whiting gold
on disks packed into papa's treasure
| chamber At the same age Hester had
prattlcd of dee papa" and was his
| faithful shadow wherever he would al
low her to follow. lie had been too
| busy of late years and too distraught by
various anXietics to take much notice Of
the younger children, but he had made
| pet of little Hester. He used to call
her "Lassie with glory crowned" as he
twined and FURNISHED her sunny curls
around his fingers. Annie was a loving
little darling, but neither SO sprightly
nor so beautiful as her first-born at tho
same age. She worshiped her father,
and he was beginning to recognize and
De pleased by her preference.
Poor Percy!'
Papa hick?" asked the child, startled
oy the ejaculation.
mo, my darling. Papa is very we'll.
Mamma is only sorry! sorryl soryF'
Horny! horny! horny! Mamma horny!
lorry! horry!" While she crammed the
fellow flowers into the castle, the baby
made the words into a song, catching in
onation and emphasis us they had es-
'apcd her mothers lips.
Dandelions dying were as fair to her
As dandclions golden-crisp in the
neadow-grass A drop of blood red
rom the heart would mean no more
han a coral bead.
At three o'clock, Hcster's chair was
lrawn by Homer into the orchard. Tho
painter, his sister, his dog and his easel
we're already in place. March had
ketched in the arbor, and indicated the
igures sufficiently to reveal the pur-
pose of the picture.
Blossom-time is short, but fortunate
y, the weather that week was phenom-
snally cquable for May. In eight days
The painting was finished. The reader
nay have noticed it at the academy
exhibition the next winter, where it
vas catalogued as The Defence"
uetty's portrait and pose were admira-
DIV rendered. and tho hound of the hir