Year: 1875

chant were quietly taking their tea q
their residence in Allegheny the Othe
evening, a ring was heard on the bell
and the door having been opened, a sur
prise awaited the household. The hired
girl carried into the dining. room not
delicately-tinted and artistically y-inscribsd
card, but basket! Mrs. L. looked in.
quiringly at Mr.. L., who from the othel
end of the table returned his glance with


gaze so mild, so meaningless, that he
saw there was no use in asking her what
the basket contained. The hired girl
was directed to open the mysteriou,
package, which bore no cover, but was
apparently filed with silk patchwork
Fold after fold was removed till, without
as yet having brought to light anything
but dry goods, Betsey held up her hands,
aud with horrow depicted on her face
exclaimed Its alive!'


Mr.. l.. arose from his chair in a de-
termined manner, and went over to iuyes
tigate the coutents Of the basket. The
mystery was soon solved. 1t was the
old story. Bell ruug-door opened
basket found suspended to door knob
baby in basket.


That tells the whole story of the 6ud.
ing Of the basket, but words cauaot ex.
press the anguish Of the looks which Mrs.
l.. let fall upon ber confused and speech
less husband as she raised her banker.
chief to her eyes, and turned away to
conceal her emotion. This was too much
for poor L., who at heart is not bad
man, but givin to staying away from
home little too much, perhaps, in the
evening. But he always had a good ex>
cuse for bis absence. The lodge, of
course, had to be attended to. There
are dozens OF reasons which any man who
has been married few years can 6nd
always at c,mmand to excuse his absence,
and all these had been used b. him, with
variation till ho could as easily account
for six nights of the week as the champion
photographer, can answer every couun>
drum in Ossood's speller.


Now be felt crushed. There was the
baby in the basket. poor little dear kick
ing and trying to eat its fists as contents
edly as if in Its own home, but there was
no note, not line of explanation. l..
felt that be ought to say something, but
be knew not how to begin. He caught
his wifeby the arm as she was about to
returned to the solitude of her own room
and said earnestly, but in . trembling
voice. MARY on my honor l am not re.
spODsible for this"


oh, William" she sobbed, with her
handkerchief still up to her eyes, as she
struggled to get away, "how eau you say
thisY'


He dropped to bis knees, and, holding
her by her hand. implored her not to 60
away, but to listen to him. He would be
honest with her. He bad been careless
and neglectful something, perhaps, but he
was not guilty Of this.


Still she struggled to be free, but he
would not lei her 60, and again she cried
out:


But he denied it again and again, and
vowed he would do anything in the world
for her who had always been 50 loving to
him. But he could not bear to have her
doubt him. He would stay at home
nights as long as he lived, or else take her
wherever be went. but he could not live
to see her breaking her heart with doubt
aud supicions Of him. He kissed her
hand a thousand times, with tears in
bis eyes and assured her that be loved
her as ever, and then he begged her to
dry her eyes and be happy. lie was in-
nocent now and be would not again be
absent from his hearth stone on any
night during the remainder Of his life.


What could she do? She was only
woman, aud she believed and forgive
him. Perhaps some wives will say she
was "sOft' or ''spoony" in permitting
herself to believe in him again, but she
did il. She give him her other hand
freely, and he arose and embradcd her
as be was wont to do when they we're
young and eon6dihg. He felt happy in
bis forgiveness, and looking into her
grave but not happy face, be said, "Well,
Mary, this adds one more to our little
family. We have Two of the little inno.
cents to cherish and protect, and We will
do il to the best Of our ability"





She shook her head and smiled.