Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-06-24
the little pirds-nest or a nome. nuoy
n oread with him. and right faithfully

exigency of the case demanded. Still,
their home was fairly happy and the
clouds that obscured their domestic
bliss were so feeting as TO leave no
perceptible shadow on their lives.
Sometimes Ruby's heart would we'll
nigh break for sight of the dear old
home and the loving faces back among
the Muskingum hills, but she was a
brave little woman, and for Dicks sake
kept .he dreadful inconsistencies locked
out of sight in her own heart.
It was on Christmas that the solemn
words making them husband and wife
had been spoken, and the first ami
versary of their wedding day was cell
ebrated by the arrival of n new inmate
"a precious Christmas gift in the form
of beautiful little boy whom Ruby at
once named Dick.
He must never hear q harsh or un-
kind word from his mothers lips,
Ruby said to herself as she clasped her
treasure to her heart the first time. "A
mother must be the embodiment of all
that is pure and lovely, and l mean that
little Dick shall grow up surrounded by
influences out of which all the bitter
ness of life has been extracted" She
fully meant to keep this compact, made
with her own soul while she lay weak
and white upon her bed, but she was
only human, and the worries and cares
that weighed heavily upon her when
she was again able to look after the
house and attend to the demands of the
exacting baby, often made her irritable
and impatient.
One cold. stormy day near the close
of March, Dick came into the CHEEKY
little room where his wife sat fashion
ing dainty garment for the inhabitant
of the crib. In his hands he carried sew
eral sticks of wood which he had been
seasoning for the fancy work that he
managed to do on his scroll saw when the
weather was too inclement to work
out of doors. Usually Ruby was glad
of his company, but she had not slept
well on account of the baby's restless
ness the night before, and consequent
ly was easily vexed to-day. Besides,
Dick had left trail of snow behind
him, and if there was anything that
Ruby particularly detested it was stains
on the pretty, bright carpet of which
she was so proud.
"I think you might have knocked the
snow from your feet before coming in, "
she said, tartly, glancing at the foot
prints pla inly visible between the door
and fireplace. Zone would need TO
keep the broom in motion constantly
where you are. You never think of any
thing but your own convenience.
'That is rather a sweeping asser-
tion," answered Dick, pleasantly
enough. "Pll acknowledge 1 am care =
less fellow, though think you do me
injustice when you make an exception
of my own convenience"
There is no exception to my work,
however" snapped Ruby, brandishing
her broom, vigoro usly.
II am sorry l made you extra work,
Ruby, but there is no use in being so
| particular about, little bit of snow,"
argued Dick. "It is clean dirt, and like
the old woman's grease will rub off
when it gets dry. Why, mother used
to sprinkle snow all over her carpet
before sweeping, and she was one of the
best of housekeepers."
81 am tired hearing that old song
about your mother. No doubt she is a
paragon of excellence, but this thing of
drawing unfavnrable comparisons be-
tween mother and wife has become un-
bearable," Ruby said, spitefully.
"What do you mean by unfavorable
comparisons? Come, now. Ruby, don't
be childish. There is no use in making
mountains out of mole-hills," Dick an
swered, in a persuasive voice.
THAT is the way you always talk.
You have not the least bit of sympathy
for me-" sobbed Ruby. "Aunt Rachel
was right when she said that I was
running great risk to give up my hap
py home for cabin in the wilder
ness"
"Rubyl" exclaimed Dick, sternly.
You care nothing for me or you
| would not speak to me in that tone. 1
| wish / had never left my fathers
house." cried Ruby, breaking down en-
tirely.
Tears always angered Dick, SO with
out word he gathered up his wood and
went out, shutting the door behind him
with bang. He did not come in again
until supper time, and then he made
his way round to the back door and
took pains to sweep the snow from his
shoes before entering the kitchen. The
| meal passed in silence-neither of the
:wain being courageous enough 20
speak the first healing word.
Il am off to the post office" said
! Dick, sullenly, as he rose from the
table and proceeded to draw on his over
coat. The next minute he was out in
the storm wading through the snow
down the drifted lane. A great lump
seemed to rise in Ruby's throat, almost
choking her. They had never before
parted in anger, and it almost broke
her heart to see Dick go away in that
spirit. She ran to the front door, in
| tending to call him back and ask him
TO forgive her, but he was far down
the lane, and went on with rapid
strides-never once turning his head in
the direction of the open door.
There is no use in ones being so
spunky," she said, testify, as she went
| back to her work in the kitchen, but
Notwithstanding her words her heart
was heavy and the evening seemed
more tedious than ever before.
Towards night fierce blizzard from
the north swept down the valley, shak-
| ing the windows in their case
ments and rocking the little house on
its foundation. Almost paralyzed with
fear, Ruby crouched down by the crib,
expecting every new blast of wind to
wrench the frail building to pieces.