Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-20

not look up when he entered the room
and walked up to the table.
After moments stealthy scrutiny
of her face he turned away. He went
back into the hail and struck q match
noisily, and lighted the gas. Then,
feeling his way, he went downstairs.
Instead of the bright, cheerful dining
room,: with the table attractively
spread for the evening meal, he found
darkness.
Uttering q purpose>y loud exelama-
ton Of disgust, he went into the kitch-
en-. Here, too, was darkness. Strik-
ing several matches, he at last succeed
ed in reaching the gas. He rubbed his
eyes when the strong light filled the
room. In the sink were the breakfast
dishes, unwashed; on the tables were
plates of broken food; on the stove
were the unwashed kettles and pans.
Mr.. Hamilton strobe through the
cold room and called to his wife.
"Clara! What has happened down
here? Has the range given out? Where
is supper?"
No reply came. He hurried upstairs,
breathing heavily.
"Clara, what's the matter?"
Mrs. Hamilton turned a page and
| read with absorbed attention.
"Clara!" shouted her husband from
the doorway.
She looked at him for a moment.
Not so loud, pleased" she said, re-
turning to her book.
whats the matter?s Clara, 1 say,
what has happened to the range?"
| Mrs. Hamilton turned another page
A sudden fear seized upon her hus-
band. Insanity! She had lost her
senses!
He stole softly across the carpet
and grasped the book she held.
"Don't!" she said. pray go away.
You are interrupting me-"
"Clara! Are you sick, or are you
crazy?"
"sick? No. Go away. do. I am so
interested"
| Her tone was natural. Mr.. Hamilton
discarded his momentary theory of in
sanity. His voice became more impera-
tive.
1T is supper time! Where are the
children? Where is the supper? Clara, -
loudly, where is the supper?"
Mrs. Hamilton partially closed her
book and looked at him.
1.-THE supper? You said the supper?"
II did!"
"Well," yawning, II suppose it is
I npaf lat h,,+ + &r;e Oh ia
book. don't care about food, but do
want to know who succeeded to the
throne after"
THE throne be hanged!" interrupt
ed Mr.. hamilton. where are the chill
dren?"
1.-THE children? Let me see. Oh, l
remember! You'll find them at your
sisters. l."
AT Helen's? Why in time did you
send them there?"
Mrs. Hamilton resumed her reading.
"Four days for houseke eping, two for
my reading" she said, quietly.
Mr.. Hamilton stared at her for a
moment. Then he burst into hearty
laugh.
II see! understand" he said.
he lett the room still laughing. He
whistled as he went down to the
kitchen.
In a few moments hi. wife Joined
him.
III see to things down here, while
you go for the children" she said;
"but, William, before you 60, tell me
this: Is it possible for = woman t
keep up her education while she is do
ing housework,> mendiug, sewing, re-
ee',tng e.ller' and making calls
i II was . brute that night, Clara
You know more than most wome1
do"
NO." .adly,,"l have not kept up =,
should. But ! mean to, William. tn,
children must wear palmer clothing
and so must their mother. for 1hei>
mother must not BE an ignoramus."
And their father must not require
such a vast amount Of cooking as b.
thas in the past. $ He must be conten
with simpler meals" Is -
THE cooking is more importan
than the frills, the latest sleeves, etc
The time for reading must be take,
: from the unimportant matters
Mr. Hamilton thought with keel
) regret Of the work he had so ofte1
: thoughtlessly made for the patien
; woman who stood beside, him. H
stopped and kissed her with tender
: ness that brought quick tears to he
I? eyes. $780,. .~"
+ Two heads are better than one
Well talk it over by and by. In tn
l meantime; help me to begin the Ne,
&. #*#~" = T.