Year: 1879

said Ralph. "But I would rather that you
let Rosel carry it."


Rosel is our maid of all work, and this is
our washing day, so that it was not easy to
spare her, and I told him so.


81 should think she might get off for an
hour" was his rejoinder. "If not, let it wait
until she is through with her work."


"That won't be until evening"" said l.,
"and my jelly won't be fresh? Why may I
not carry it? I Twill not even go in, if you
forbid it; though l confess l should like to
pay them some little attention"


coaxed him awhile, while he listened in
silence. At last he said, "Little woman, you
have more perseverance that I gave you cred
it for; or shall call it by harder name" ?"


"You mean obstinacy, I suppose" said L.
"But, Ralph, think it is you who are trying
to vex me- I never knew you to be so unrea-
sonable before. Besides, you have not for
hidden my visiting the Holcombes; you only
objected to inviting them here"


81 object to the visiting also," he replied.
"I wish, Lucy, these people had never come
here"


$50 do l." said I, (rather impatiently, 1
am afraid,) "for their coming here. has been
the cause of my finding out that you"


"Go on" be said, as stopped.


"Well, that you are just little bit Of a
tyrant."


was sorry the instant the words we're out
of my mouth he looked so troubled, so dis
tressed. "Oh! Ralph" cried, throwing my
self into his arms, forgive me, pray do! I
did not mean what said"


II hope you did not, Lucy" he answered,
in low tone, "for think tyrants are detest-
able, and should be very sorry to have you
consider me one. God knows don't want to
deprive you of any reasonable qualification
you have few pleasures out here--but what l
enjoin upon you is not from caprice, but for
very good reasons, which I cannot now ex-
plain. Only trust me, and yield unquestion-
ingly to my wishes, and all will be we'll"


1t seems, then, that this entire confidence
is to be all on my side, while he withholds
his from me, so far as he may think proper


However, it will not be my fault if we
quarrel; SO let him pet me as much as he
liked, and said no more. The result Of the
matter was, that Rosel carried the jelly; but
my satisfaction in the gift was gone


March 25th. A cup of jelly seems small
affair to write so much about; but it has led
to farther results than 1 expected. This
morning, directly after breakfast, who should
come to our cottage but Mrs. Holcombe,
empty cup in hand.


II have brought this back to you, Mrs.
Barstox," she said, az I invited her into the
parlor, "and must tell you how grateful Maud
and are for your kind remembrance. She
is only sorry that she could not come to thank
you in person but she will do so when you
call on her, as hope you will very soon."


"Thank you," said I, embarrassed, 81
should like to do so very much indeed. I
hope she is better?"


Every much better" said Mrs. Holcombe.
"Indeed, the climate here suits her so we'll
that l think we shall remain some time long
er than we anticipated. Notwithstanding the
discomforts we necessarily submit to in our
present abode-and they are numerous-my
poor girl seems to feel better and brighter
than she has done for months"
I felt myself blushing involuntarily at this
speech. I felt so sorry, so selfreproachful, at
not being able to offer them what l had wish
ed to do! Our house is only little box Of
place, it is true; but we have one nice spare
room, and could accommodate them without
any trouble at all. I know what kind Of
people Franz Birkhof and bis wife are-hon-
est and well-meaning, but rough like the rest
of them here, and the food at their table is
plain and coarse. Indeed, except for the ex.
cellent milk, and the fine honey which they
have in abundance, I don't see how an inva.
lid can find anything palatable there They
have never had any boarders, at least since
we have known them, but people Of a COM
mon sort.


Mrs. Holcombe stayed considerable time.
She is most agreeable person, and seems to
be exceedingly well informed. Ishould think
Ralph would be delighted with her, if they
could once meet each other. But SO averse
does he seem to the idea of mixing with peo-
pie, that have not even said word to him
of her visit. The truth is, I am afraid Of
starting an unpleasant discussion again. Yet
l hate this sfeeling Of reserve, or concealment
of the most trifing sort between us. had
hoped that our married life would be one Of
entire confidence and sympathy; that we
would have no differences nor dissenting
thoughts.


Under different circumstances, I would be
delighted to look forward to these people
spending long time here. But as the case
stands, 1 felt rather sorry than otherwise to
hear that they intended to prolong their stay.
Anything in the world is better than to have
Ralph uncomfortable or displeased.
TO BE CONTINUED.
A REMARKABLY RETIcENT MANA cor
RESPONDENT of the Cincinnati Enquirer men-