The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-10-21

not tell you, III ner lie appended upon
| it, whether Byron wrote Childe Harold
or Childe Harold wrote Byron, but in
those dreadful hours of pain and fever
it mattered very little to me. Her
touch was gentle, her voice soft, and
before recovered began to think the
j plain face under that shabby bonnet
was the sweetest, most motherly face
| 1 ever knew. And SO, dear, knowing
their hearts so well. and loving you
as l do, | want to see tie knit be-
| tween you"
But the minister's wife had turned
| away with tears in her eyes. Il mar
ried you and promise nothing as to
| them" she answered rebelliously.
She was beautiful young creature,
the minister's wife; tall, slender, and
golden haired, but whether or not she
would be the helpmeet the minister
| needed in the years to come, was a
question. And yet it was such pleas
ure only to look at her as she sat in
the corner of the pew on Sundays in
her well-fitting suit and pretty hat.
And when she sang, for she had a
beautiful and highly cultivated voice,
every eye turned to where she stood.
Yes, they were proud of her, these
care-burGened, common people, and
they did not blame her il she did not
care for them as friends. They were
different and they realized it, very Of
ten too with sharp feeling of pain
&c hn h0,, x1Yith o,,lxy I'D
Of greeting and with barely touch
of her well-gloVed hand.
What do you think Mrs. Harper is
making for the minister's wife,"
asked Mrs. Wilkins of Mrs. Dodge one
afternoon as they met on the street.
I'm sure l don't know" was the re-
ply.
"A knitted counterpart" announced
Mrs. wilkins, land her hands are so
crippled by rheumatism too. Why,
every stitch she takes must pain her,
| don't see how she can do it, for the
cept by nod. l don't believe she'll
ever use it after she gets it, either"
added Mrs. Wilkins soberly. ''She's
dreadful particular about her beds,
and uses only the finest Marseilles
spreads. Sarah Ann Newton told me
so, for I've never seen 'em. I've tried
my best but l never got further than
the front room yet"
Mrs. Dodge smiled a little. "She
isn't so very sociable, is she?" she
said; still, perhaps We expect too
much.''
Mrs. Wilkins did not deign reply.
"Old Mrs. Harper just set on maxim
that counterpane," she continued, land
givin' it too. It's pretty and there's
lots of work about it. Well, well, l
hope she won't get her feelins hurt
before it's through with. She's won
derin' too, now that it's so near done,
how she'll present it."
I'D like the best in the world to
get up a pound party for the minister
this fall said Mrs. Dodge thought
fully. He is so fond of my peach pre-
serves and would like him to have
some, but do you know, TIA most
afraid"
Mrs. Wilkins looked sympathetic
so am IL she admitted frankly, land
| too was thinking the same thing.
l had such good luck with my chilli
sauce. l could take that as my offer
ing, but his wife
There was a pause. Lets have it
said Mrs. Dodge ref1ectively,
"and then Mrs. Harper can give her
And so it was arranged.
The minister was studying a new
book that evening. Near him sat
his wife reading some letters from
home. AS she folded them up her eyes
wandered idly over the well-warmed,
pleasant rooms. Every one speaks
at home as if I were working right
with Bertram," she thought. 81 Won
der if they realize what kind of men,
bers we have, if they would expect it?
don't see why l need be public prop
erty just because I happen to be
minister's wife, and they're not my
equals"
Just then the door bell rang The
looked across at his wife
with fond smile. Don't get up,
julia" he said, 'I'll CO."
He laid down his book, went to the
door, and opened it. The yard and
porch were full of people. They greet
ed him warmly, for every one loved
the minister. Each person had a par
Gel.
why, what is this?" cried the min
lister merrily. 'Come in! come I'M"
and then he thought of his wife.
They entered the beautiful rooms
besitatingly, and the minister, seeing
it, strove to put them at their ease. /
At that moment his wife came for
ward, her lovely face, above the pref
ty gown, looking colder than ever.
What does this intrusion mean"
she thought bitterly Am 1 never
to have a moment to MYSELF"
She greeted them, but with no |
warmth, and they, feeling it, passed |
silently on into the kitchen, laying
heir generous offerings on the table. |
I'm going home,' whispered Mrs. |
to Mrs. Dodge, "she don't want |
us. Why did we ever attempt such a
thing; we ought to have known bet |
ter"
But Mrs. Dodge held her back. |
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