Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-02-16
..IEis aads Kisss sssIsEl

been married ON the same day he6riy
two years ago. Both had married hon
est workingmen, with steady rpeition3
ana the wages Of both husbahs weSi
about equal. Each had been preeented
with son ana heir, and both, khe sis
tiers ought to have beep 1,eppy, bai
while Kit and her husb5 zESre u
ways in good spirits. light. hesftd, con
tented and pleased with their lot, theirs
seemed to be shadow hanging ovel
the household that was ruled by Kit's
sister.
1t was not that any trouble or mis-
understanding existed between Maggie
and her husband. Far from 1t. They
loved each other dearly, and were. al
trays happy in each others society. as
true wives and husbands ought to be,
but there soon crept into the young
wife's eyes a carewOrn, worried look
that betokened secret sorrow of some
kind. Between care for her baby and
her household duties her time was fully
0ccupied-indeed, 1t was noticed that
she did not take her infant out for an
airing anything like as often as did her
L
Clarke, was too busy to notice any
change in his wife, ana 1t was only
when Kits husband, Tom White. be-
gan to ask II Maggie was ailing that
poor John directed his attention to bis
wife's appearance.
Maggie" he said one evening in
self-reproachful way, II have been
rather neglected. Of you Of late, am
afraid, and haven't been taking care
Of your health and comfort. You are
beginning to look pale and thin, and,
how l notice 1t, the baby is not as
healthy looking as he ought to be.
You'll have to go out more You don't
get enough Of fresh air, and neither
does the child! Why don't you put him
in the baby carriage and take him out
for an hour or so in the mornings and
afternoons?"
II haven't time, john" replied Mag
gle, in sad tone Of voice. 'sThere Is
SO much to be done in the house. you
know, and between that and the baby
don't have minute to spare"
"Well, your sister Kit has just the
same to contend with. She keeps her
house clean and attends to little Tom
my, and yet she finds time to take a
run In the park every day with the
boy, and she is as blooming and fresh
in appearance as new-blown rose"
II know she Is, John, and cart
understand It," (Here tear crept into
the little woman's eye and her lip trem-
bledD ut isn't that don't feel well.
but somehow or another am always
tired. am trying to keep things clean
and straight all the time, and yet I
never seem to get ahead. God knows
would often like to take baby out for q
blow Of fresh air, but don't seem to
be able to afford the timer
''Well, see here, now, Maggie" said
her husband kindly. "Your health and
the child's is of much more Importance
20 me than the house work. Don't do
30 much cleaning! 1t isn't bit neces-
sary. I've noticed you scrubbing and
rubbing many time when couldn't
see the use Of 1t. Take more healthy
exercise and do less hard work."
'No, John, that will never do" an
swered Maggie; "1'm quite willing to
have some restful exercise, but not Of
the expense Of clean house. like
my home to be scrupulously clean at all
times"
well, 1t is clean; Ill give you credit
for that" said her husband quickly,
''but then you are too particular. Give
as much care to yourself and the baby
az you do to the Homework, and you'll
feel better and SO will L! Now Just get
baby and yourself ready, and we'll
walk over to your sister's-there's q
good girl"
Maggie rose and dressed the baby and
handed him to papa while she prepared
herself. In the midst of her prepara-
tions she said: Really, John, don't
see how l can afford the time to go!
That kitchen floor ought to be scrubbed
tonight and was going to clean up :
all the door knobs and brasswork." +
LET the brasswork be-photograph-
ed! exclaimed John, somewhat testify.
"You'll keep on rubbing and scrubbing,
and brushing and cleaning until you
drop into the grave! Hereafter you'll
have to go out every day for at least :
two hours. insist on it, and I'm going
" dSh All W cOlue over anu tukes you
with her regularly from this day"
At Kits house they naturally met
with cordial reception from Tom and
his wife. The house was as trim and
neat and straight as busy hands cduM
make 1t, but Kit and the baby had
been out in the park all the afternoon!
John Clarke sighed as lie noticed the !.
different compilations Of Kit and her
sister. The one was rudy, with health.
the other pale, wan and sickly looking. j
You poor dear" exclaimed Kit, COM
miseratingly, "I'm sure she must be III,
John, or she would not look so tired
and weary"
Il am not Ill, Kit-indeed am not,
and you know never was lazy, but
somehow don't seem to keep up with,
my work, and yet you get ahead Of
yours always. was always as strong
as you were, and naturally rs quick,
but honestly cannot understand how
you manage to get through all your
Homework and yet have SO much time
to yourself"
Perhaps" said Tom White, as
light cleaned in his eyes, perhaps this
secret Is easily solvable after all. Tell
ls, Maggie, do you use Sapolio in your
housecleaning?"