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

Through the sltting-room window as he
passed. The warm red flicker OF the
drelight dancing on the walls looked
eozy and inviting, in pleasing contrast
to the cold and damp out Of doors.
"Ah! it is good toIbe home,' thought
John as he tapped at the door instead
Of ringing. Il expect Amelia is wait
ing for me-Sitting in the freight so
that she can let me in the minute L
knock" And he pictured to himself
in cheerful anticipation his wife eager
ly awaiting his homecoming, sitting
in the coy irelit room. To his sur
prise there was to his twice-repeated
knocking. Where in the world can
Amelia be? She always runs so quick
" to let me inr' And John was forced
reluctantly to ring the bell.
"W-here is Mrs. Jackson?" he asked
the maid as he walked into the empty
sitting-room.
Upstairs with the baby" answered
Mary.
rs there anything wrong" demand
ed John a little anxiously.
.Oh, 10, sir. He's as merry as i
king-the darling-I don't wonder Mrs.
jackson can't'tear herself away"
John was cold and tired and he could
not help a feeling of disappointment
stealing over him. He glanced at the
fender-no slippers were there, and 1t
was the first time since their marriage
that Amelia had not put them ready.
He slowly fetched them, changed. and
Ainging himself into an armchair en-
joyed the pleasant warmth Of the fire.
Presently he got up.
81 must so UP and see what Amelia
is doing he said, "and give the little
man a kiss before he goes to sleep"
And he went upstairs.
rs that you. john called Amelia;
sdo come in here and look at baby.
Doesn't he look q cherub?'
John went into the night nursery
Whore his wife was standing near the
Iittle cot. Il thought you were lost"
said he.
Amelia was too ~engrossed in the
frolics Of her little son to notice her
husband or the shade of ~disappoint-
ment which crossed his face when she
did not turn to greet him.
John put his arm around her waist.
"Give me a kiss, little woman:"
Amelia kissed him hastily-then
stopping over the cot she lifted out the
little growing bundle Of humanity and
kissed it passionately. "Now give
daddy a kiss" she cried. and John SOL
EMMY saluted the little roseleaf cheek.
Now come and dress for dinner.
The little chap ought to be asleep by
now"
In a minute" answered Amelia.
"You go and get ready. I shall be
down by the time cook is ready"
A little later John was again waiting
for Amelia downstairs. Dinner was
ready waiting-getting cold, and John
was hungry. Presently Amelia called
over the baniSteTs:
Il say. John dear, begin without me;
/ shall be down in q minute or TWO.
and don't want any soup So John
sat down alone and began his meal in
solitary state. He was more than half
through before Amelia put in an APP
pearance.
II wish Mollie would come; I want
to tell her several things thought
John. But when she did come down,
the things were left uGSaid. She chat
g.. tered increasingly about the baby, all
die had done and looked that day, and
as tk> little man had only had one
birthday there was but little variety
in his daily proceedings. John listened
= patiently. He was devoted to his little
sol but he had a vague feeling that
Amelia might at least take some inter
est in his own doings during the day.
"Baby can monopolize her all day
thought he. II think it my turn in the
evening"
y = 4
! During the next few months a Curl
Gus change came over Amelia Jackson.
Her whole life seemed wrapped up i'll
her little son 1t was not that she
aoved her husband less, but if it was 4
choice between John and the baby
baby was never the one to be left.
john quickly noticed the change. He
had been used to treat his wife as his
confident. talking his business affairs
over with her. and often relying on her
intuitive feminine judgment for a de-
cision on dnhatable points. Gradually
however. al this was changed. Anne.
liza was too eager to talk of baby'S lit.
tie dOings to listen to her husband, SO
he almost unconsciously gave up the
attempt to confde III her or to ask her
opinion.
Amelia was sitting on the sands at
Atlantic City reading-a few yards off
was baby with his devoted playmate
and nurse. The latter was making
sand pies for the little nan to break
down as Quickly as she turned them
cut Of his bucket.
give never read Johns letter." sud,
denly thought Amelia. with a sudden
twinge "s conscience. Poor ole
DEAR wonder how he's getting on il
town all L. himself. 1t will remind
him Of his bachelor days before VIZ
were married. Still. l simply coulln'
leave baby here with nnrse-I should
miss him 100 d-eadfully."
In the oa:lT spring John Jackson:
little heir Lad had an attack of whoop
ing conGh, ala on his recovery the dee
tor had Suggested ser air. DR.. Cary