Year: 1873

But it all came about in good time,


and she arrived safely at home, where


she was petted and caressed to her


hearts content.


4" You are all trying to spoil me"
she would expostulate; II shall never


be ft for farmers wife any more"


And thus, among loving friends, rid


ing, walking, and when at home read


ing. music and writing long letters to
her husband, the summer passed swift
J ly away.


And now he had written that he was


was coming, and she was counting the
days that must clapse ere she could


look back upon his face and be clasped
to his heart. She was eager to 90 new.


Her holiday was over Health had re-
turned, and not for an instant did she
shrink from the old life.


And when the husband came and
saw the wonder one summer had
wrought, he again told himselfthat the
good old doctor was right.
1t was evening when they arrived.
and the wife looked with bewilderment
on the change A handsome front had
been added to the old dwelling: and
before she had time toquestion she was
ushered into parlOr newly furnished
and already lighted An elegant piano
stood in a recess evidently constructed
for its reception.


She turned towards her husband to
assure herself that he, too, had not
changed into something or somebody
else. But the merry twinkle in his
eye told her that he was enjoying her
surprise, and slowly she began to real
ize the whole situation. Yes. now she
understood his strange reluctance to
mention what he was doing, and his
willingness to remain, even after she
had expressed her anxiety to return.


Come, | have more to show you;
and he showed her into a large, com
modious room, furnished for her own
sleeping apartment, even to baby's
crib.


This is for you. And now lay
aside your dusty garments and prepare
for tea. 1t must have been ready an
hour ago. | will go and see.


When he returned he found his wife
sitting in her little rocker and weeping
silently.


Have wounded where wished to
heal ? he asked, reprOaehfully.


Forgive me, she said, smiling II
am a goose, but tiTed-wing one, you
know. And / am so happy to be at
home in such home, that | have no
words in which to tell my happiness"


He stopped to kiss the offered lips.
And thus the new life began. Aud
what a different life was-busy-bGsy,
not burdened. Time for the wants of
the mind as well as the body Good
help in the kitchen all the time, and
choice reading for any leisure hour.


The farm was an uniailing source of
income, fully defraying all expenses
each year and showing a balance in
favor.


Been improving, | see, said Mr..
as he refined his light carriage
to the neat fence.


Yes, doctor. Come in. | want to
show you all the improvements. Here,
Mary, the doctor wants to see you.


And as she came to greet him, rosy
with health and happiness, he nod
ded his head at her husband. Yes,
that will do; and then glaneing
at the open piano, " am going to stay
Just long enough to hear one tune
played Will you favor me p And
with the old gallantry, fittedso awkard-
ly to his brusque manners, he led her
to the instrument, and stood hat in
hand while she played. ',fhere, thank
you; | have cut off my own supplies.
No more fees for me here, see. Just
my luck | never did know enough to
secure my own bread and butter
Good bve, Mrs. Streeter," And again
lodding to the husband, he trotted
TO his vehicle and went on his way,
his cherry voice humming to his horse,
perhaps the tune he had just heard.