Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-02-09

denly thought Amelia, with sudden
twinge of conscience. "Poor old
dear, wonder how he's getting on in
town all by himself. 1t will remind
him of his bachelor days before we
were married. Still, I simply couldn't
leave baby here with nurse-I should
| miss him too dreadfully."
In the early spring John JacksOn's
little heir had had an attack of whoop
ing cough, and on his recovery the doc
tor had suggested sea air. DR.. Cary
was an old friend of Johns, and seeing
the direction of affairs in that house
hold, had hoped to mend matters by
his suggestion. He thought that once
nurse and baby were down at the sea-
side, Amelia would be freed from the
unconscious slavery into which she
had slipped, and John would once
more enjoy his home life. What was
his dismay on calling few days later
to find the house deserted, except for
John and the cook!
Amelia opened and read the letter
ltS COuIelltS OCCdSluHtu IIcl uo SllIui
surprise. They were as follows:
"My Darling Wife-Im sorry to in
terrupt your holiday. But after the
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 hero. have not said any
thing to her, as | know you think verS
highly of. But ] certainly think YOU
had better come home as soon as you
can and put matters right | do moi
think had better interfere. AS for
leaving baby, Ii 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. l shall go in aud write to him at
once, and tell him | cannot possibly
leave baby. He must square things
up with cook himself
So shc went indoors and wrote tj
John, telling him of her decision. A
week later, what was her dismay Oh
receiving a wire from DR.. Cary:
Come home. Your husband Ill
Cary" was the curt message.
Amelia was thoroughly frightened.
what can have happened?' she
said. II 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 III hansom.
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 seri.
BUSINESS OF affairs at home. On rcceiv.
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
house.
"What has happened?" she asked
nnXiously.
Dr. Cary took her quietly into the
little sitting-room.
II fear your husband is very serious.
~ ill.," he said gravely. Then in few
words he told her Of all that happened
in her abSencc-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
illcooked dinner or none at all. How
she had come home late and lain in
bed the next morning, and let John 90
downtown to his office without his
breakfast And how she had put
damp sheets on his bed, The result
of tho months discomfort and neglect
was that John was lying seriously i'll
with double pneumonia
"And | am IN old man." said The
doctor. "May give You one word Of
advicp?"
Amelia looked UP Questioninsly.
"What is it;' she astcd.
''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 or
course. I know it has not been so in
reality. but appearances have been
against you. and your husband has
lately had disappointed look that YOU
would be the first to resent"
John JacksOn's recovery was very
slow. Thanks to the devoted nursing
of his wife and the skill of Or. Cary
the lung attack did not prove fatal rs
it had threatened.
At last the day arrived when he was
pronounced sufficiently convalescont to
be allowed downstairs. He was lying
in n sunny corner with Amelia sitting
sewing by his side.
at 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
gravely. II am such Il selfish brute,
Amelia, and heyer 80 thoroughly enjoy
myself rs when I feel / am indisput.
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 | got
so stupid over baby Just before YOU
We're i'll. 1t is over now. | don't love
baby any the less, but shall bn more
sensible now. Will you forgive me for
--for---!"
"Therc is nothing TO forgive" said
John gently, as he drew her toward
him and kissed her.--The American
Queen.