The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-06-23

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 new inmate
"a precious Christmas gift in the form
of a beautiful little boy whom Ruby at
once named Dick.
lie must never hear harsh OK 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 he 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 3he 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 rot slept
we'll 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.
81 think you might have knocked the
snow from your feet before coming in, "
. she said, tartly, glancing at the foot
prints plainly visible bet cen the door
and fireplace. "One 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 sweeping asser-
tion,' answered Dick, pleasantly
enough. '1ll acknowledge am a care
less fellow, though l think you do me
y
OF my own convenience"
'There is no exception to my work,
however" snapped Ruby, brandishing
her broom, vigorously.
II am sorry l made you extra work,
Ruby, but there is no use in being so
particular about a little bit of snow"
argued Dick. 1T 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 househeepers.
Il am tired hearing that old song
about your mother. No doubt she is
paragon of excellence, but this tn ing of
drawing unfavorable 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 was
running great risk to give up my hap
ness"
Ruby" exclaimed Dick, sternly.
you care nothing for me or you
would not speak to me in that tone. I
wish 1 had never left my fathers
house,, cried Ruby, breaking down en-
ircly.
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
twain being courageous enough to
speak the first healing word.
Il am off to the Sst 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
spunlxy,' she said, testify, as sho 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, shal-
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 budding to pieces.
Several hours passed before there was
any abatement in the storm, and then
when Dick did not make his appearance,
her an xiety about the safety of herself
and baby gave way to dread concern
ing his fate. While the wind shrieked
and the snow fell in binding sheets,
she comforted herself that he was snug
~ housed in the village beyond, but
when he did not come in a reasonable
length of time after the storm had sub
sided she became greatly alarmed, and
over and over again wandered down the
drifted lane calling wildly for him to
come back. At last, almost in despair
she made her way to the cabin of her
nearest neighbor, who, with quick
western sympathy, went at once to
rouse some of the villagers to aid in the
search. He found out that Dick had
started for home some time be-
fore the blizzard struck the town,
hence must have hecn lost after