Catoctin clarion., 1918-09-12
| ELLEN'S VACATION
BY MARY F. WENTWORTH.

=, 1918, by the MCCLURE n
per Syndicate.)

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iCopyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
"Is supper ready, Ellen?" asked
Hiram, as he appeared in the kitchen
door.
"Not quite, Hiram, but it will be in
Just a few minutes" calmly answered
his wife, as she hurried to prepare the
evening meal.
Hiram was always grumbling when
the meals We're not on time, and poor
Ellen was ofttimes discouraged.
Having eaten in silence, hardly no.
ticing the tired wife who could scarce
~ force the food into her mouth, he
eft the table and went into the kitch-
en-, took his cap and started for the
barn.
"Ellen! Ellen I" called Hiram from
the barn door. "Yes," shouted Ellen,
rising from the table, where she had
remained sitting, too tired to move.
Bring me them milk pals, and don't
keep me waiting as you did for supper.
Tn in hurry, as have to drive over
to VIII Jackson's to see about COW
he has to SELL"
Poor Ellen How her feet ached and
now tired she was: but she knew 1t
was no use to complain.
"Why couldn't he have asked me to
ride over to the Jackson's? 1t Is a
long time since l was over there, and
Mrs. Jackson is the dearest little won-
an" :.
Ellen, with much bitterness in her
neart, sat long into the twilight. She
had been wondering how she could
cure her husband of his grumbling
and his selfishncss. II have it." thought
ellen, Strengthening up, "Tll have a va
cation. But I'll not mention vaca-
ton to Hiram," she told herself.
Next morning Ellen hurried to get
her work done, and as Hiram was
away for the day there was no dinner
to get, so Ellen flew round to pack up
what articles she would need, and lay
ing the table ready for supper, she
took her valise and went to the guest
chamber in the far corner of the big
house and prepared to make herself
comfortable. "What vacation; and
in ones own house, too," she
chuckled.
Hiram returned, and not seeing
Ellen, thought she must have run out
for few minutes and would be In
timn
but Hiram was doomed to disappont-
ment, for Ellen did not come and Hi
ram was forced to eat what was left
for him on the table. He wondered
what kept her, but had no fear of
her staying overnight.
Finishing his chores, he sat down on
the piazza and waited. How long he
sat there he knew not, but at last
he went into the house and went to
bed.
Morning came and still no Ellen.
"Where can she be?" he asked himself,
and a fear clutched his heart as he
thought how he had neglected her.
Breakfast time came and he knew
not what to prepare for himself, but
knowing he had to eat something, he
went into the pantry, and finding moth
ing but dish of eggs and a loaf Of
bread, he felt such Il sickening feeling
he was obliged to sit down. He won
dered how he should get meal with
just bread and eggs. "Well, sup
pose l can cook some eggs he said.
"Wish Ellen was home. I'm not used
to this housekeeping business he
muttered.
He did not think to find fault be-
cause she had not left him anything
cooked. How lonesome the house
seemed! Hiram looked around and
wondered If she had taken any of her
things. Yes, her coat and hat were
not in their accustomed places. and
her vallSe was nowhere to be seen.
"Yes, she has gone," sighed Hiram.
But where? OH If she would only
come back! He busted himself clear
ing the table, and washed the dishes
and dried them after a fashion.
He was not used to housework,
and it was awkwardly that he
placed them in the neat cupboard.
What a lot of time 1t took, too! 1t
was nearly noon now. Where had the
forenoon gone to? He did not realize
1t took so much time to do the house
work. No wonder poor Ellen could not
always have the meals on time. on,
if she would only comet II won't say
anything again if the meals are lit
tie late if she will only come back
said Hiram. "Oh, dear little woman!
I've neglected her shamefully, and
bet I will know how to appreciate her
after this" Somehow the day came to
close, and another, and still another
and Hiram was almost nervous
wreck.
Ellen, from her room, watched how
he was taking his medicine" knew
when to "come home," and was sitting
in her rocker in the kitchen as Hiram
came in, looking worn and haggard, as
if years instead of days had been
passed. He got one glimpse of her and
fairly flew to her side. "Oh, Ellen!
My darling" shouted Hiram as he
snatched her to his breast. "Forgive
me, dear, for the harsh words and neg
lectfulness, and let me make up to you
for the past. Come, dear, let us get
supper together"
"Hiram, dear, did you miss met"
asked Ellen.