The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-07-08

~ 49,
sat alone in his study. The room
which, though small, had been
dignified with the name of study, was
the best and pleasantest room in the
house, and in it were drawn together
all the best that the house afforded
here was the prettiest paper and the
best carpet, the only lounge, the east
est rocking chair, the gayest table
cover, the best lamp, and the prettiest
ornaments, all gathered here by his
young wife's unselfish devotion, and
her husbands devoted selfishness.
A tall, stout, well-made, fiorid young
man, never intended by nature for any
sedentary life; one whose broad Shout
ders and strong arms would have made
a better and healthier man of him in
the field or workshop; one who as a
farmer or machinist might have made
something of his muscular inheritance,
but who had boon thrust into a posi-
ton he was wholly untitled for by
the weak ambition of doting mother
and the vanity and self-indulgent in
dolence of his own character
A gentle step, a timid deprecatlng
tap at the study door. Eyes right
attention. In one moment, like a sol
der on drill, the reverend gentleman
had wheeled into position at the table,
snatched up pen, dipped 1T into the
Ink, and held 1t suspended over the
paper, as he said In the half-annoyed
tones of person suddenly disturbed in
some absorbing train of thought:
you can come in"
Softly the door was pushed ajar,
and a sweet young face, fair and fresh
as an apple blossom, and framed In
braids of soft brown hair. peeped tim
idly in.
"Quite alone, dear?" she asked,
glancing round the apartment; and
then satisfied that he was so, the wife
came ina girlish figure, though one
arm clasped her sleeping baby to heI
bosom; In the other hand she bore q
small tray with snowy white cloth
Pauslng a moment on her way to de
post the child among the cushions oil
the lounge, she came TO her husbands
side.
What have you got there. Lucy p
he said In half-reproachful tones
though his eager eyes contradicted hi
assumed Indifference.
"Only a little lunch for you, doar.
said the little wife. coaxingly. and sh
removed the desk and set the lAtl
tray before him.
'You silly child what is it2" Luc
raised the cover and revealed a sma
Juicy beefsteak, temptingly cooked,
biscuit, and a cup of steaming tef
"Oh, have not any appetite; do nc
want it." said the husband. making
very faint demonstration OF pushing
from him.
Eyes, you do. doar; know hes
Did not you tell me yourself tho
brains needed food. and that ments
labor was more exhausting than an
other7 Take little sip Of the te
first, dear, and maybe that will brin
an appetite"
"You are a little goose, Lucy" sal
the Reverend Boswell, as he took tn
cup from her hand; and so, just I
please the affectionate little thing, /
ate and drank all she had provided
and he did 1t, too, just as If he relisl
have guessed he did not relish It, o
he was such a good mani And LuC
sat by, delighted that her idol hs
condescended to accept her meat ar
drink offerings.
There now; these poor. dear. tir'
brains will feel all the better" 81
said, laying her soft hand carelessly (
his low brow. 'It is too bad for "
20 sit here, hard at work. all this Low
ly day; but tell me. have you work
very hard this morning."
"Well, no, not very" said the sc
convicted idler. ut is too warm to
much"
Warm here, dear7" said Mrs. III
land, CHANGING round the cool, fires
orderly little room, and contrasting
with the kitchen, the heated scene
her own Iabors. Then II must be
cause you feel weak; do your"