The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1905-05-26

happiness WAS spoiled.
It's curious we can't get along with
out SO much quarreling," said Marsh, one
winter day, after he had just put on
heavy ''back log"
Matte felt the tears in her eyes in
moment, and her heart softened toward
Marsh, and she was about to confess her
failings and ask his forgiveness, when
he continued:
"It is all your hateful temper, Matte;
you know it is"
That was enough; and what was meant
to be a reconciliation was Simply anoth-
er quarrel.
"Oh. dear re! 1t is my wretched tenn
per- 1,now it is" sobbed Matte, after
Earsh went out; "but he needn't have
said so."
eff only wasn't so blunt" said Marsh
to himself, with sign, as be sauntered
toward the stable.
So things went from bad to worse. Lit
tie mistakes were magnified into ter
rible wrongs. The neighbors had their
fill of gossip about the matter; and final
ly one day, when Marsh went away, Mat
tie thought the thing over.
Il am a wretched little nuisance" she
said, mentally Il don't know why am
so, either but | can't help it," she said.
despairingly, her lips quivering, and her
eyes filling with tears. I've great mind
to take Needle and go home, and stay
there. My unhappiness couldn't be great
er than it is
She clasped the baby close in her arms,
and the big tears Fell fast on his curly
head. Her heart seemed bursting with
in her but she wrapped the child in her
shawl, and with quickening step she
fed the place and hurried across the
snow-covered fields to her mothers.
whats the matter child?" asked her
mother, as Matte, pale and shivering, ap-
peared at the door.
Don't ask me, mother" sobbed the
wretched little woman.
You haven't left homer"
'Yes, mother; f,sever!"
Don't say that to me! You shall go
right back this Instant" said her mother,
thinking of the scandal that was sure to
fullow such proceeding.
IL.
the picture of despair.
Tell me about it, my child!" said the
mother, melted into tenderness by that
look.
Then Matte, through her tears, told
her mother all, and ended with these pitt
full words:
But. oh, mother, | love him, the
father of my child love him, but he
doesn't understand me. If he could but
understand mel" and she fell sobbins
beside her mothers knee.
LET me advise you, my child" said the
| mother. softly stroking her daughters
glossy hair. I've passed through it all
and I'll tell you little secret. 1t is al
| most certain that little mistakes will
come up between husband and wife, and
often words are spoken that are regret
ted moment afterward. But. my child,
Sucn word can do not harm, it it is re-
penred of and confession made. If you
have said anything to wound your hus-
| bands feelings, no matter what he may
have said to you, go and tell him you are
sorry, and | insure it, he will not only
| forgive you, but will beg you to forgive
| him. The hour that follows will be more
| delightful than the hour of your we'd
ding. Let me tell you of little instance
in my own life;" and the mother told
| her of one of those little family differ
ences that come UP between so many
worthy couples. The story ended so
pleasantly that it soothed the tempest in
the breast Of the heartsick daughter
After the story was done. Matte still
| kneeled. resting her tired head on her
| mothers knee. Her mother stroked the
| glossy hair in silence for quarter of an
hour; but Mattie's thoughts were busy
! Suddenly she arose. took her child in her
| arms, wrapped it close in her shawl, and
prepared tn go.
Where are you going, my child p"
| asked her mother.
''To make my confession" answered
Matte, through her tears
! Heaven bless you!" said her mother,
with deep emotion
When Marsh Hunter came home that
night pretty scene met his view The
fire was burning joyously on the hearth
and before it stood Matte, dressed in
neat calico wrapper with snowy collar
and cuffs. and a scarlet bow of ribbon at
her throat Baby sat on his palletbefore
the fire, growing Justify and beating the
floor with tin rattle. Supper was on
| the table. and the tea was steam1ng on
| the hearth.
| Marsh was cold, but such a scene
warmed him. He went straight to the
pallet and commenced romp with baby.
j Malta