The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-15

the direction of affairs in that house
hold. had hoped to mend matters bS
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 4 few days later
to find the house deserted, except Tor
John and the cook.
Amelia opened and read the letter.
Its contents o%ccasioned her no small
surprise. They were as follows:
my Darling Wife-I'm 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 here. 1 have not said any
| thing to her, as Iknow you think very
highly of. But I certainly think you
had better come home as soon as you
| can and put matters right. I do not
think l had better interfere. AS for
leaving baby. H. cannot be in better
hands than he is with Mary.
"Yours ever.
John"
:"I cannot possibly come home" said
Amelia to herself. How stupid John
is. I shall go 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 OH
receiving a wire from DR.. Cary:
'Come home. Your husband III.
Cary" was the curt message.
Amelia was thoroughly frightened.
"What can have happened?" she
said. 81 hope it isn't some accident at
those horrid works. Some n is al
ways getting hurt there She hastily
packed, caught the first train back to
town. and drove home in a hanson.
A sensation of fear Of the unknown
stole over her. What if John were
seriously ill. 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 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
house.
what has happened:" she asked
a%nxiously.
DR.. Cary took her quietly into the
little sitting-room.
81 fear your husband is very serious
~ ill.," he said gravely. Then in o 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 absence. How she had gone
out each night-often leaving John an
ill-cooked dinner OF. 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 I am an old man. said the
doctor. May I give you one word OF
advice?" i
Amelia looked up q%uestioningiy.
"What is it," she asked. :
'If your husband pulls through let
him see that he is first in your afec.
tons. Lately you have given your
whole being up to baby, and your hus-
band has been left in the cold. OF
| course, I know it has not been so in
| reality, but appearances have been
against you, and your husband has
lately had a disappointed look that you
would be the first to resent"
+ = ,
John Jackson's recovery was very
slow. Thanks to t-.a 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 lying
in q sunny corner with Amelia Sitting
sewing by his side.
sit 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. I am almost
sorry to be getting all right again" ,
John dear exclaimed Amelia.
"whatever for? 1t must have been 4
horrid time" ,
Il thoroughly enjoyed it." said john
Gravely. Il am such 4 selfish brute,
Amelia, and never so thoroughly enjoy
myself as when I feel 1 am indisput.
ably first in your eyes
John" she said at length. "yOu al.
ways were and always will be indis.
putatly first. I don't know why I got
so stupid over baby Just before you
were ill. 1t is over now. I don't love
baby any the less. but 1 shall be more
sensible now. Will you forgive me for
-for-?" ,
"There is nothing to forgive" said
John gently. as he drew her toward
him and kissed her.-The American
Queen.