The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-01-29

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house, behind whose spruce green
blinds his wife was busy preparing
dinner.
II used to think how happy I should
be if l ever persuaded her to come
here he thought. at is two years.
why, / declare it is two years thin
very day that we we're married ! ]
wonder if she remembers iti But il
isn't very likely, when she says she il
afraid she hates me-"
Did she remember? All, in that re-
memberance lay the stingi
All that morning, while she got
breakfast at 5 O'Clock, and washed the
dishes, swept the rooms, made the beds.
churned butter and prepared lunch for
six men her hoart turned back to that
other morning twsnty.four months ago.
when the bright eyed country maiden
rose at 4 o'clock to complete her prep
arstions for her wedding day.
How good, how kind, her George
was then. How his eyes followed her;
how his love blessed her.
Was it oil her fault that the bloom
and beauty Of life had departed in
those two years.
Looking back she could see no day
in which she had not at least tried to
do her duty.
And looking in the glass she saw
how the light and glow Of youth had
passed from her face, while accomplish
ing the task uncbeered by the approval
of him she loved.
"George has kept his color and his
good looks because bis work lies out Of
doors,' she unused, ''but / have worked
in this old kitchen until / look old
enough to be bis mother. His mother
-she paused with bitter laugh
almost wish was his mother. then he
would be suited in what I did,
Noon came. The IL o'clock whistle
sounded sharp and clear from the fac
tory in the village mile away, and
before the whistle ceased little figure
stepped out on the porch of the
Brewster house and blew horn.
"There's q woman for you,' said
Solomon Wsse. admiringly. 'sDinnsr
to the mlnute--and wont it be good
one p
The dinner was indeed . success,
every dainty Of the season and the farm
was there, skillfully cooked and neatly
served on table in the cool dining
room-a table covered with snowy
cloth fresh from the fold, and glass arc
CHINA.
In the center Of the table stood q
great china bowl full Of red roses tina,
perfumed the room. Her cheeks were
red, her words and smiles were ready
for every one save George.
As she sat grave and silent at the
foot Of the table, he looked ut hel
wonderinRly.
She wore a dress Of silver gray
alpaca that had been her travelling
dress when they we're married.
A large white apron, with bid
shielded the glories Of the costume
But Why did she put it Cd? Surely she
could not think Of "going visiting
that afternoon, with six haymakers L
get tea for and the milk of eight cows
to attend to afterward.
But be finally went out without ask
ing it. The wife, who was afraid sht
hated him. seemed almost like |
stranger. although she looked so mucl
on this occasion like the girl be hat
married two yeas ago.
As George neared the door of tn,
woodshed where the men were loung-
| ing away the incoming. he heard BIZ
own name, uttered BY Solomon v ys'
in tones OF anger.
Involuntarily he stayed his steps.
"Yes. / knew George from baby
up, and always said bed make likely
man. l vow it's shame to see how b.
treats that pretty little creature! Suct
q lunch this morning and such a din
ner this noon, in such nice cool rnou
with the red roses and all the rest Of it
and she just IS pretty as picture, with
her red cheeks and bright eyes and bel
wavy hair, and dressed as neat as .
pink, too. And he sitting there a.
glum as an old man of ninety. / wa,
ashamed Of him."
"I've heard he does nothing but find
fault with her all day long, Faid J
second voice. "My wife says ii I threw
my mother into her teeth, as George
does his in Letty's, she'd run away