Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-02-11

tctTupL your nOlluhS, nut hitSA bhc
first few days, cooks behavior has
been, to say the least, mysterious. She
always seems to be out, so you may
imagine that matters are not very sat
isfactOry here. have not said any
thing to her as l know you think very
highly Of But l certainly think you
ha3 better come home as soon as You
can and put matters right, / do not
think l had better interfere. AS for
leaving baby. cannot be in better
hands than he is with Mary.
'YOurs ever.
"John."
81 cannot possibly come home said
Amelia to herself. "HOw stupid John
is. shall 90 in and write to him at
once, and tell him I cannot possibly
leave baby He must square things
up with cook himself"
So she went indoors and wrote to
John, telling him of her decision. A
week later, what was her dismay on
receiving wire from DR.. Cary:
"Come home. Your husband Ill.
Cary" was the curt message.
Amelia was thoroughly frightened.
what can have happenedp she
said. 81 hope it isn't some accident at
those hOrrid works. Some one is al
ways getting hurt there" She hastily
packed, caught the first train back to
town, and drove home in hanson.
A sensation of fear of the unknown
stole over her. What if John were
seriously i'll! The telegram gave her
no clue and wrapped up as she was in
her little son, she had not allowed her.
self time to think of the possible serl-
BUSINESS of affairs at home. On receiv-
| ing the telegram, after her first alarm
her whole attention was given to
baby's welfare in her absence.
DR., Cary met her at the door of the
what has happened" she asked
anxiOusly.
DR.. Cary took her quietly into the
little sitting-rooW.
81 fear your husband is very serious
ly ILL.," he said gravely. Then in a few
words he told her of all that happened
in her absence-of the advantage that
had been taken by the cook of her
mistress's absence. How she had gone
out each night-Often leaving John an
ill-cooked dinner or none at all. How
she had come home late and lain in
bed the next morning, and let John go
downtown to his Office without his
breakfast. And how she had put
damp sheets on his bed. The result
Of the months discomfort and neglect
was that John was lying seriously i'll
with double pneumonia.
"And 1 am an old man." said the
doctor. "May 1 give you one word of
advice?"
Amelia looked up questioningly.
"What is it," she asked.
"If your husband pulls through let
him see that he is first in your affec-
tons. Lately you have given your
whole being up to baby, and your hus-
band has been left in the cold. OF
course, l know it has not been so in
reality, but appearances have been
against you, and your husband has
lately had q disappointed look that you
would be the first to resent"
= =
John Jacksons recovery was very
slow. Thanks to the devoted nursing
Of his wife and the skill of DR.. Cary
the lung attack did not prove fatal as
it had threatened.
At last the day arrived when he was
pronounced sufficiently cOnvalescent to
be allowed downstairs. He was living
in a sunny corner with Amelia sitting
sewing by his side.
TT Is indeed good, dearest. to have
you downstairs. 1t really looks like
recovery to-day" she said.
John smiled and then said:
"Do you know, Amelia, am almost
sorry to be getting all right again"
John dear" exclaimed Amelia,
whatever for? 1t must have been a
horrid time"
II thoroughly enjoyed it," said John
grNvely. 81 am such a selfish brute
Amelia, and never so thoroughly enjoy
myself as when l feel / am indlsput-
ably first in your eyes"
"John," she said at length, "you al
ways were and always will be indis-
putably first. / don't know why I got
so stupid over baby just before you
were i'll. 1t is over now. I don't love
baby any tire less. but shall be more
sensible now. VIII you forgive me for
for"
'There is nothing to forgive" said
John gently, as he drew her toward
him and kissed her.-Thc American
Queen. -.