Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-09-09

seem as If one ought 10 rest while Young
hands and active feet take up the bur
dens. She was very tired, this patient
old woman, who had given her life work
for others; first, for her parents then
for an invalid brother lastly, for the
orphan children; with such innumera-
bic acts of neighborly kindness as only
the recording angel of good deeds knows.
Well might she no tired 1t was new
to her to be carossed, to have tender
hands lead her to her room and loosen
her dress, n tender voice coax her to lie
down.
"Now, | will darken the window "
Daisy said, land you are to rest. Sleep.
If you can, until dinner time"
But, Daisy, you cannot make the
dinner"
Il will try was the quick reply, and
Aunt Mary submitted
Washing potatoes, Smelling peas, fry
ing ham, making coffee. all allowed
thought to be busy, and Daisy. signing
ly put away some Of her day dreams
over her homely tasks.
81 cannot DO lady, she thought,
land John won't be gentleman, but |
will try to pay my share of the debts 4"
She had taken of her Aounces and
hat and put on plain dress and large
check apron before she began to work,
and she was rather astonishcd, MS her
kitchen duties progressed, to find her
self happier than she had been since
she returned home.
When John camo to dinner he was
astonished to find Aunt Mary "quite
dressed up" as she blushingly said, in
clean print dress and white apron, her
dear old face showing no sign Of heat or
WEAKNESS, while Daisy, with added
bloom and bare white arms, was carry
ing in the dinner
"The new girl at your service" she
said saucily, AZ she pulled down her
sleeves. Dinner is ready, sir"
But her lips quivcrod as he bent over
her and whispered
"God bless you dear Forgive me il
| was too hasty this morning"
1t was merry meal They made
play that was more than half earnest of
Aunt Mary's being great lady who was
to be waited upon, and not allowed to
rise from tho table upon any considera-
ton. Dinner over, John returned to
his Ploughing, and Aunt Mary, firmly
refusing to sit in idloness, was allowed
to wash cups and saucors, while Daisy
made short work of pots and pans
John said but little as tho days wore
on and still found Daisy at her post. 1t
was not in tho nature of things for Aunt
Mary to sit with folded hands, but il be-
came Daisys task to inaugurate daily
maps, to see that only the light work
came TO the older hands, to make daily
work less of toll and more of u
pleasure.
The young girl herself was surprised
to find how much she enjoyed the life
that had seemed TO her mere drudgery.
With younger hands to carry on tho
domestic affairs, they ceased to cngross
every hour of the day, and John encour-
aged Daisy in making use Of tho stiff,
shut-up parlor as daily sitting-room.
A pair of muslin curtains at each win
dow were skilfully draped to keep out
the flies, the center table resigned its
gay vase of stiff artificial flowers and
stand Of wax fruit, to make room for
two dainty work baskets for afternoon
work and the periodicals John took 10.
Over the shiny horse-har sofa and
chairs pretty bits of embroidery wero
drapod, and fresh flowers wcrc applied
each day. Aunt Mary's caps. collars
and aprons were adjusted to suit tho new
order Of things, aud the easiest Of chairs
stood ever ready for hor resting time
John. bringing to his task the same
will and brains that had carried him
through college, was inaugurating new
order Of affairs on the farm. aud made
tho work pay well.
Once more came June day, when
Daisy sat in the fields, and John stood
leaning against tho fence behind her.
-Four years Of earnest loving work had
left traces upon both young faces, en-
nobling them, and yet leaving TO tbcm
all the glad content that rewards we'll
doing.
Many hours Of self-denial both had
met bravely; many deprivations both
had borne we'll. Daisy wore black
dress, and upon the hat in Johns hand
was a deep band Of crepe, but though
sadness in their voice there yet rang Il
tone Of happiness.
"You love me, Daisy p John had
said TO her
"When have | not loved you q she
softly answered.
"And you will be my wife ? Darling,
| have long loved you, but after Aunt
Mary was struck down with paralysis |
would not ask you 10 take up now duties
Now she needs you no longer, and you
shall leave the farm Whenever you
wish"
leave the farm Oh, John, must
We leave in | thought it was yours
now"
80 il is"
"And you have made il so beautiful,
as well as profitable Oh, John, why
must VIC leave il p
"Only because | thought it was your
wish. my darling"
1T would break my heart TO go away.
! love my home"
And John, taking tho little figure into
a close embrace, wondered il any city
could produce sweeter, dainter little
lady than the one he held in his arms.
- -
II does not follow, young man, bo-
cause you are smitten with a young
lady that she is dead in love with you.
The mosquito has strong and abiding
affection for the human race, but who