Year: 1876

1ul mystery, DuJ Ellen sleuueT uaHu
had drawn him back. He remembered
how, when he was able to sit up one
day, and his wife was taking her needed
rest, the doctor had told him of her I'M
wearied care, and that to her faithful
watching alone, he owed his life. Then
he had vowed to himself and his God
anew, that he would love and cherish
her always. Alas, the VOWS we make
and break.


With the closing days of the year,
there came into his heart a new tender
ness for his wife, and resolve was
born there to try to bring her back and
be all that he promised before God and
man for the days and years to come.
Meanwhile, in her old home, Mrs.
Eaton was finding love and work, both
needed solely by the troubled soul.
Her mother grew worse and for some
weeks was great invalid. Ellen's time
was so filled up with the duties of the
present she found the weeks less dreary
than John was finding them. But some
times the longing to know something of
him grew almost irresistible, and it took
all her courage to wait, when her mother
grew better and ceased to need her care
constantly.


The days went by till the new year
was at hand, and it seemed as if she
could not resist the longing for home
and John, for she knew, in spite of his
harsh words, that he must miss her
sorely. Many time she called herself
hard names for ever coming away as she
did. OF course, John did not mean
half what he said On the last night of
the old year she had gone to the Office
and called for a letter as she had done
many times, in vain, She went back
slowly with great aching in her heart,
for she had said to herself over and over
again, that he would write or come that
night.


How could he help remembering that
the next day was the anniversary of
their marriage? ? He surely would not
let it go by without a word But in
that quiet place there would not be an
other mail that week, so she went home
desolate. How bitterly she repented
that she had not forgiven his hasty
words and borne it all ! She went
slowly up the hill, feeling as if every
thing beautiful was gone, and there was
nothing more that life could give her.
One, who had come in little time be-
fore, found hope springing up in her
face.


Sc went straight to her mothers
room. "Back, at last, Ellen? There
is company down stairs and l want
fresh cap from the sitting room cup
board" said the old lady and she went
down again YEARLY. As she opened the
door gentleman turned from the win
dow.


"Oh John, was all she said, but I
am sure he knew she was glad to see
him. He took her in his arms, the lit
tie wife he had not seen for so long, and
there was glad, happy silence for lit
tie time. Then he did what he had
hardly done in his life before-asked
forgiveness of another. am sure Ellen
was as glad to forgive as ever a woman
was, and nestled down beside him, ut
terly forgetful of cap and cupboard.


9" could not stay away another day."
he told her, "when thought of to-
morrow. It was, Ellen, it was dread
fully hard, for was too proud to own I
was wrong but the fact is, couldn
help it this time. Are you sure you are
glad to see me, Nellie?"


I can't tell you how glad, John. I
do believe 1 should have started home
Monday if you had not come. But
why didn't you come before, or write,
John?"


at was too angry with you, Nellie.
Don't look so sorry, my dear, it was
over long ago, and I was angrier with
myself than 1 ever shall be with you. 1
did intend to come before, but business
prevented and I had q fancy that you
might be more kindly disposed toward
me il waited till tonight"


GAS if 1 needed that, John. The
least little bit of word would have
brought me back, and 1 wasn't two
miles away before 1 wished myself back
in my chair at home, waiting for you,
and that hateful letter in the stove, or
all unWritten. guess if had waited,
you would have come with me to see
mother, would you not, John, dear"


{" can't tell, Nellie. I was q great
brute then, but I mean, God helping
me, to be more what I promised six
yeas ago. We will try, both Of JUS, to
make our home more what it ought to
be, Nellie. And to show you that am
in earnest, here is your watch once
more;" and he put the chain around her
neck, and gave her a real lovers kiss.


More than once the mother heard Nell
lies clear, ringing laugh, and smiled at
the sound of the music she had missed
so long. During the hour that followed,
as she waited up stairs, and the twilight
deepened into night, John said softly
Aren't you afraid to trust me again,
Nellie, for fear shall fall again into
my old ways?"


She Ian0hed again. then answered So