Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-05-18


Daisy said. land you are to rest Sleep,
If you can, until dinner time"
But Daisy. you cannot make the
dinner"
II viii try" was the quick reply, and
Aunt Mary submitted
Washing potatoes, Smelling peas,
frying ham, making coffee, all allowed
thought to be busy, and Daisy, sigh
ingly, put away some of her day
dreams over her homely tasks
81 cannot be a lady" she thought,
land John won't be a gentleman, but
] will try to pay my share OF the
debts"
She had taken off her founces and
large check apron before she began to
work, and she was rather astonisbed,
as her kitchen duties progressed, to
find herself happier than she had been
since she returned home
When John came to dinner he was
astonished to find Aunt Mary quite
dressed up" as she blushingly said, In
q 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, as she pulled down her
sleeves. Dinner is ready, SIR"
But her lips quivered "a he bent over
her and whispered:
God bless you, deAri Forgive me
If was too hasty this morning"
It was a merry meal They made g
play that was more than half earnest
Of Aunt Mary's being a great lady
who was to be waited upon, and not
allowed to rise from the table upon
any consideration. Dinner over, John
returned to his blowing, and Aunt
Mary, firmly refusing to sit in idle
ness, was allowed to wash cups and
saucers, while Daisy made short work
of pots and pans
on and still found Daisy at her post
It was not in the nature of things for
Aunt Mary to sit with folded hands,
but it became Daisy's task to lnaugur-
ate daily maps, to see that only the
light work came to the older hands, tc
make daily work less of a toll and
more of pleasure.
The young girl herself was surprised
to find how much she enjoyed the life
that had seemed to her q mere
drudgery.
With younger hands to carry on the
domestic affairs, they ceased to en-
gross every hour of the day, and John
encouraged Daisy in making use of the
stiff, shut-up parlor as a daily sitting
room A pair of muslin curtains al
each window were skillfully draped tc
keep out the flies, the center table re-
signed its gay vase of stiff artificial
flowers and stand of wax fruit, to make
room for two dainty work baskets fol
afternoon work, and the periodicals
John took IN
Over the sufny horse-hair sofa and
chairs pretty bits of embroidery were
draped, and fresh flowers were supplied
each day. Aunt Mary's caps, collar:
new order of things, and the easiest o.
chairs stood ever ready for her resting
time.
John, bringing to his task the same
will and brains that had carried hin
through college, was inaugurating {
new order of affairs on the farm, anC
made the work pay we'll
-. Once more came June day, when
Daisy sat in The fields, and John stooC
| leaning against the fence beside her.
Four years of earnest, loving worl
had left traces upon both young faces
enrolling them, and yet leaving t.
them all the glad content that reward
well doing.
| Many hours of self-denlal both ha
met bravely; many deprivations bot
had borne well. Daisy wore a blac,
dress, and upon the hat in Johns han
was a deep band of crepe, but throug
sadness in their voices there yet ran
a tone of happiness.
You love me, Daisy?" John ha
said to her.
when have 1 not loved you?" sh
softly answered
And you will be my wife? Darling
have long loved you. but after Aur
Mary was struck down with paralys
l would not ask you to take up ne
duties. Now she needs you no 1onge1
and YOU shall leave the farm wheneve
you wish"
Leave the farml Oh, John, must W
leave it2 thought it was yours now.
$50 it is"
And you have made it SO beautiful
as we'll as proftablel Oh, John, wh
must we leave it?"
"Only because l thought it was yoI
wish, my darling"
1T would break my heart to 6
away. love my home"
And John, taking the little lgul
into close embrace, wondered if al
city could produce a sweeter, daintit
little lady than the one he held In h
arms.-Home Queen.