The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-07-31
rHE HOUSE ON SEVENTH STREET

full ard modern without, and with an in
terror even more attractive, embodying. as
it did, Mrs. WilfoId's exquisite taste. Not
that the furnishings were particularly lux
urious, but the most artistic eye could find
no false effects or unfortunate combina-
tons in all its dainty completeness. In
short it was one of those homes which
seem to impart to every creature blessed
enough to come within their charmed at
mosphere something of their own serene
harmony.
But ifthe house on Seventh Street was
in no wise remarkable in the city of Yves
ton, the same could not be said of it's mis-
tress, Louise MILFORD. She was a delicate,
sweet-faced woman, whose clear gray eyes
had the faculty Of spying out a hidden
sorrow, and Offering their unobtrusive
sympathy in one comprehensive glance
Her mother said of her "Louise always
had the most ex~travagant notions about
the duty of everybody 10 every body else.
If marriage does not cure her, nothing
will" And Mrs. MILFORD soon made it
evident that marriage lad net altered a
popularity which was, indeed, a funda-
mental characteristic of her nature.
Her honeymoon was hardly over when
what her friends called "Louise's Oddly"
began TO assert itself.
Fired, "she remarked placidly one even
ing, as she and her husband sat together
in their cosy parlor, a suggestive picture
of domestic comfort, Fred, do ycu know,
| want to take a boarder."
Mr.. Milford dropped his tcok, and
looked at his wife with an expression of
the utmost CONSERVATION Louise. What
do you mean? Are you getting tired of my
company" Their. more tenderly, Don't
I give you pin money enough, dearest?
What is up, anyway"
What a goose you are. Frsdi'said Ms.
Frederick, dlmpling amiably. ssTo think
that could even get tired Of YOU" She
slipped out of her chair and knelt by her
husbands side, lifting her eloquent eyes
to his face. you know, dear, they say
Mr.. Maxwell is trying 10 leave of drink
ing"
Mr.. MILFORD nodded. He. with all other
good citizens of Weston. was interested in
the attempted reformation of this brilliant
young lawyer. who had come so near total
shipw.eck. But with thu obtuseaess com
mon to mo1tals, Fred filled to see how
this fact was related to his own personal
comfort.
"And have been thinking" Louise
went on earnestly, sthat he must met a
great deal of temptation, boarding at the
hotel. And his wife can't come till Sep
TENDER. Fred, he told me so himself. Ard
| I'd like to have him here With us that little
while
Mr.. MILFORD made a wry face. "Of
course | admire your feeling, my dear girl;
hut don't you think it is a little fanatical,
and-morbid. to sacrifice your home for
other people in that way?'
Louise's arm went round his neck klead
ingly. 20 Fred, It's because my home
is dear to me that want TO use it partly
for others. You know we are not to sacrifice
that which costs us nothing; and | want to
offer him the best | have"
Mr. MILFORD gently kissed his vife's
cheek. 'You are right, Louise; | think
you are always right. But don't see.
he added with a smile, lust how you're
going to work your scheme on Maxwell
You can't say you want to reform him."
ooh, I'll manage that, answered Lonise
confidently. And she did manage it, with
a diplomacy strictly feminine. Mr.. Max
well was invited to tea one evening, and,
| under the ~enchantment OF the social atmos-
| phere, lie himself hesitatingly made the
proposition his hostess was so anxious 10
have him make. And if Louise ever thought
regretfully Of the pleasant evenings she
| and Fred had passed alone together, she
| felt more than paid for her sacrifice when,
| three months after. the lawyers wife lock
ed her in the face aud said, Mrs. MILFORD,
| owe you all one woman can owe another.
| believe that my husbands safety is due
to you" And then the two women, strang.
ers before, kissed each other and clang to
each other as sisters might have lone.
The next guest at the house on Seventh
Street was little Mary Mcintyre, whom
Louise found in the third story Of a tene-
ment house. struggling, with a persistence
| pitiful to see, TO finish some heavy sewing
The girl was recovering from a fever, and
the lassitude Of sickness was still upon her,
She made a pathetic picture, with her pale
face ard languid eyes. bending over the
work her s~irengthless hands conld hardly
hold.
Mrs. WllfoId locked at her gravely
my. child. you are not well enough tc
be al work. she said, laying her gloved
hand upon tie trembling fingers.
Mary answered this remonstrance with
a wan smile. "But, you see, must live,
ma'am," she said simply.
Certainly, and that is why yon mnstn't
work at present" answered Mrs. MILFORD.
She took The girls unresisting hard In hei
own. II want you TO come home with me, :
she said. land make me a visit until you
are better"
Just what that visit meant in Mary Nc