Show THE BY A n morri soy eoy the little wito laid her sewing down and looked at the clock and said it la is time that I put the kettle on and the cloth on for the clock Is near to tho the stroke ot of six and stid ryo rye hardly time to seo ECO that the kettle bolls and the toast Is 13 made madey when john will be home to tea the table she drew to the coelest nook and she laid the plates for two but they were plain deif delf thero there was silver sliver none and the disbow dishes thoy they wonc were few but butter and bread an i some cake and f fruit ruit all dainty as they can beg be and the cloth Is white said the little wife that Is what john likes to see seo the little att lo wife took out a dressing gown and spread on a cushioned chair and before it a pair of slippers placed far too largo large for foe her to wear and she patted the cown gown g own and sot softly aly said lie there that you warm may bo be for the night Is cold sor tor john to put on when he be shall come to tea the tho little wife smoothed and braided her hair and put on a prettier dress dressy A bit of soft lace and a knot of gray glie to finish it at the breast then she looked in the glass and blushed and smiled and she was a fair picture to seel and excused herself john will be so BO pleased with the dress when ho he comes home homo to t tea D lis num liP Bip mst be late labe the kettle has boiled and the toast Is getting dry I 1 it Is growing dark and the tho street lamps shine but the footsteps all pass by the little wife peeps out the front rent f hall ball door then runs to the garden gate but he does not come and oh dear deark she sighs a tiresome thing to wait then she t rles tries to read but whether or no the tale was gloomy or fay gay she could not havo have told for her restless thoughts with her heart are far away again and again to the tron front thaU ball door she goes to look up tho the street st reet each far sar faraway away footstep making her heart with a hope to t faster beat why it must bo be hours said the little wife with a pout and an ugly fro frown liy ily id like ilke to know what at this time of et night john can be doing down town it if he cared for me he would surely come but ive rye often heard it 16 said and I 1 half halt believe it now that a man loves only till hes wed nut but buthe he shall not know if it breaks my ray heart civill I 1 will have my tea so therel her flea cheeks aro are so red redi and her eyes aro are 1 so bright sho she looks at the vacant chair and her knife falls down and oh dear dead 4 she says an then she begins beg ins to cry 1 I wonder was ever a six months wife so miserable as D I 1 john never would stay it if ho be was alive the little wife sobbingly sob Bob bingly said and so all this time ive rye been blaming himl himi 6 it may mav be that john is dead why bless me this says a manly voice tender as tender can be and the clock is just pointing to bair half past six and arid john has bag come cometo tea |