Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-08-25
CHAPTER XII-Continucd

obeying Brian's instructions to wrap
herself warmly, she departed on her
errand of mercy.
Through the peaceful quiet OF tho
sabbath morning she made her way
over the we'll kept road, until she
ceached the rectory, an unpretentious
title house, sitting back in On equally
unpretentious garden.
narrow, beaten pathway led to the
modest entrance, and on either side Of
1t were tiny borders Of dead flowers,
abound whose lifoless stems tho brown
leaves chung convuIsively.
Margaret's ring was answered by q
tired-looking maid servant, who led the
way into the poorly furnished little
parlor. While she questioned the girl
rs to her mistress condition Margaret's
eyes travelled wistfully about the room,
whose CHEEKY LONELINESS not even the
notwithstanding influence OF poverty,
could entirely dispel. Yet there was
something vaguely pathetic in the worn
chairs, the faded, almost threadbare,
| carpet; the few inexpensive ornaments,
and the numerous makeshifts; little
pretensions to comfort and luxury,
which deft fingers had fashioned into
pretty deceptive devices, oil presenting
the long and patient labor, thoughtful
love, and tender self-denial so often
wrought into the possessions of the
poor.
Up stairs in the front room she found
the brave little woman who had seem
cd SO we'll only few days before,
street ched on u bed Of weakness, the
busy brain no longer worrying over the
wants of growing family, tho tireless
feet resting aJ last. Near the bed sat
Mr.. Ivens, the rector Of the most I'M
popular church in S.. He was u man
Of many talents and attainments, but
unfortunately for himself he lacked the
self-contidence necessary to meet and
overcome the difficulties of life.
Margaret knew and understood a ma
ture so similar to her fathers. She
discovered tho wealth of learning and
nobility of soul hidden under an over
mastering difIidonce, and she admired
the qualities which others could not see.
Now as she saw him, bowed by the
shadow Of coming great sorrow hold
ing the nervelcss hand that had smooth
ed SO many difficulties for him, yet
whose cheerful aid could never more DO
his she felt her heart filled with com
passion no words could express.
He was so engrossed with his grief
that he scarcely noticed her as she
quietly glided to his place beside the
bed, but Mrs. Ivens had hoard the al
most noseless footsteps and opened
her eyes YEARLY.
An, it is you, Margaret, she said
with a momentacy flush Of pleasure on
her pale face.
Margaret nodded cheerily, and laid
her hand, with a soothing tenderness,
on the hot, throbbing head. Does 1t
ache much?" she asked.
mo, Margaret, only little. Will
you tell Mary to get the children ready
for school? | should be up to do it my
self, but l am very tired.
Il don't believe you ever admitted as
much before" was Margaret's rather
unsteady answer, The children
won't 80 to school to-day. 1t is Sun
day.
Sunday, and I lying here! James,
why didn't you tell me? We had so
much to do to-day.
Her eyes sought her husbands. but
he was looking rather wistfully at Mar
garet.
Margaret read the unspoken language
of that glance, and she found 1t very
difficult to answer cheerfuily.
I'VE are going to let you be lazy to-
day. Ellen, so that formidable amount
of work must wait for another Sunday.
/ intend to assert my authority. and, TO
begin. I'll sit here while Mr.. Ivens eats
some breakfast. Mary told me to send
him down.
The gentleman took this hint, and, as
Obedient as u child, left the room. he
knew that Ellen was safe and happy in
Marparet's hands, and already he felt
better for her cheerful, helpful pres
ence.
Halfway down the stairs he was met
by a preternaturally grave child or 8
wears, whose wistfui eyes gazed sauly
into his. Evidently she had been walt
ing for him, for without word she
stole quietly to his side and allowed her
hand to glide with reassurlns sympathy
into his.
In this silent way they reached the
dining-room, where Mary had breakfast
on the table, and three tots aged, re-
spectively, six, four, ana Two seated III
their high-chairs, waiting lor p'tpa'
Titt;c wonder that Margaret's mind
should be filled with painful Thoughts
Of these babies, as she SAT oy
their mothers bedside, or that her eyes
hecnme so misty when Ellen expressed
such gratitude for her attentions.
"If YOU only knew how glad it makes
mo to do even little for you, she sad,
with struggle to speak calmly. GU
see, it is so seldom can be useful. that
7 am particularly proud now. If had
been poor, believe should have taken
UP nursing as profession. ;.
Yes, but you need not 90 ~ now !. y
Margaret. You don't know whaC IL 10
~ he moor It is hard for him and the
children.
Il have known, Margaret answered:
az have known the pain and cruelty OF
it. The scales of life are SO uneven.
have no more right to comfort anu iu
i ia han Won have. and yet But
Ala NOT, come here to talk on such dole-
full subjects; want to see you bright
1T is hard to be bright and cheerful,
Margaret. Lying here with no. an TN, NJ
do. SO many thoughts come TO me. II
L