The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-07

ing to move. The football Of the deserted
Edith was heard advancing from the
front room to the library and her clear
and solemn voice penetrated distinctly to
the listeners.
Alan Wilson, is 1t possible that you are
Used word?'
We'll, they're at it, at last" said Mr.
Belmore. relapsing into a chair in the
Kitchen, and drawing folded newspaper
from his pocket II wouldn't be in his
| shoes for a farm
oh, 1t will be all right now" said Mrs
Belmore, serenely. 1--WE left the children
to undress each other; they've been so
good. It's been such different day,
though, from what we had planned
It's too bad that you have to get the
ooh, don't mind that bit.'
she had tucked up the silken skirt Of
her gown and the swift preliminary shak-
ing OF the fire with which every woman
takes possession of a kitchen-pouring the
water into the coffee pot from the steam
ing Kettle, and then vibrating between
the Kitchen closet and the buffers
pantry with the quick, capable movements
OF one who knows her ground thorough
~. Really, It isn't any trouble. Margar-
ct leaves half of the things ready, YOU
Know. II you'll just lift down that dish
OF salad for me-and the cold chicken is
beside It, Thank you. How good the
coffee smells! I know you always like
the coffee make
You bet do said Mr. Belmore with
fervor. Say, petty, you don't think you
garden7'' @>SS,
No I'm afraid there isn't time. Wen
nave to give 1t up for this Sunday She
paused for. great effort. IF you'd like
to go by yourself, dear"
Wouldn't you mind7"
She paused again. looking at him with
her clear-eyed seriousness.
- don't think mind now, but might
| afterward.''
If he had hesitated 1t was for a hardly
appreciate second. ''And 7 don't want
to 60 ne protested stoutly TT wouldn't
pc the same thing at all without you.''
everything Is ready now" said his
WIFE. Though I do not have to disturb
Edith and Alan. I'll Just run up and hear
the chlldren say their prayers before I put
those things on the table. IF YOU would
just take a look at the furnace,--,t wa :
the sentence Mr.. Belmore had been dread
ins-'and then You can come up and kiss
the children good night"
MT. Belmore, on his way up from stok-
ing, caught a glimpse projected from the
parlor mirror through an aperture in the
| uoorWay which the portieres had left un-
| covered. The reection was of a girl with
tear stained face and closed eyes, her head
upon young mans shoulder, while his
lips were touchingly pressed to her hair
AS Mr. Belmore turned after ascending the
night OF stair, he came in full sight OF
announcer picture. spread. out to view in the
room at the end Of the hall. He stood m
seen in the shadow regarding it.
His Wife sat in a low chair near one al
the two white beds; little Dorothys crib
was IN their room beyond. The three
cnildren We're perched on the. foot of the
nearest bed, white gowned, with ros,
races ana neatly brushed hair. While he
looked, the youngest child gave a birdlikf
hutter and jump and lighted on the floor
railing on her knees, with her bowed hea6
| In the mothers lap, her hands upraised
AS she finished the murmured PRAYER
helped by the tender mother-voice, she
| rose and stood to one side, in infantine
seriousness, while the next one spread he1
| WHITE plumes for the same flight, wait.
ing afterward In reverent line with thu
first as the third lowered down.
IL was plain to see from the mothers
race that she had striven to put all earthl,
thoughts aside in the performance of thi:
sacred office of mtnistering to Innocence
her eyes must be holy when her children.
looked up at her on their way to God.
It would have been an Indifferent man
indeed, who had not fallen uon his knee
In spirit, in company with this littl
household faith, in mute recognition O
the love and peace and order that crowne,
his days. .->
He kissed the laughing children as the,
chung to him before she turned down TIL
light. When she came out Of the room
ne was waiting for her. He put his arm
around her as he said, with the darling
tenderness that made her life:
Come along, old sweetness. We've 20
to go down and stir up those lunatic
again., Call that the happfest time o
your life! We know better than thai
don't we, pretty? I'll tell you what it is
III go to church with you next Sunday
if you say so!''