The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-02-18

prayed with all his soul that he might
be forgiven, and that he and his wife
might be together hand in hand d. Il
the bill to the gate that leads out OF
life to life eternal.
The darkness had settled down
when Deacon Bates got up and went
into the house. He had gone over
everything, had reconstructed affairs
on a new basis and made several plans.
He would have no difficulty in carry
ing them out, for his word had ever
been law in his own house. II he
suggested anything it must be done,
and this was not on account of tyranny,
but because of the oldfashioned
reverence fer her husband as head of
the family, which Mrs. Bates had
always maintained and instIlled into
the minds of her children. "Father
knows best" was her unvarylng
decision.
1t was not like Deacon Bates to say
anything about his good resolutions,
but to proceed to put them in practice
as rapidly as possible, There was no
light in the sitting room when he
entered but that OF the moon which
streamed in at the long window. He
thought the room was empty till he
caught sight OF his wife asleep in her
chair. Her mild pale face upturned In
the white light sent pang through the
heart of the self. convicted man. He
went over to her and laying his hand
on her head, said:
Come, mother, you had better not
wait on the boys. I'd 60 right to bed
if were you.
He continued to smooth her hair as
he said it, and Mrs. Bates presently sat
up straight and wondering. 1t was
long since her husband had lost the
habit o: bestowing little endearments
he used often to do this very thing in
the old days,
"Was Daniel going to dieP"
The next morning soon after break
fast Mr.. Bates went away in his spring
wagon, returning in the space of two
hours with the strong capable girl who
assisted them on extra occasions,
announcing to the surprise of his wife
that Sophia Mills had come to stay till
the "heft of the summers work. was
over, "and mind you keep her busy"
he told the astonished woman, "and
you get some time to rest"
In the afternoon Mr.. Bates drove to
town, and as Mrs. Bradley had the day
before SAID she wished to match some
worsteds he took her along taking
occason to say as they were we'll on
their way:
I'm much obliged to you, Mrs.
Bradley, tor giving me hint about my
wife last night. I've been blind and
dumb as an old bat. Enough said.
Things'l be different. Now | want to
ask another favor. l wished you'd
pick out dress for my wife-a nice
one, that'll do for best. Pm going to
take her out West to see her sister when
the crops are all In. She don't know
word about it yet"
Mrs. Bradley was delighted; she
would be glad to help. What would
she like?
ooh, you must settle that, something
sort o'lady like, black guess and get
some of that soft white stuff such as
you wear to go round her neck, and
some ribbons and all the trimmin' s."
A more dazsd woman than Mrs
Bates could not be found when her
husband, that night, after every one else
had gone to bed, presented her with
roll of handsome black cashmere.
"And CynthY," he said, you must
have it made up nice like Mrs. Bradeys
with some ribbons futterin' in the
wind"
"What's the matter with you, Dan'lP
his wife asked anxiously. "Whatever
does all this mean1"
at means, little woman, that I've
been an old brute. I've let you slave
yourself most to death with not a mite
of fun thrown in. Now It's gong to be
stopped. I'm going to take care OF
you the rest of the way. What would
you say now to taking trip out West
next month to see your sister Hannah! !!
1t was too much. Mrs, Bates could
only cry as if she would never stop,
while her husband .I1urmureG~ as-1r
stroked her hair:
Women are curious. looked for
you to laugh insead of cry, Cynthy."