her. She took a heavy cold, and almost
before her husband was aware of her danger, she had left his side. He
was more than grief-stricken, he was appalled. No children had blessed
their union, and they had become more and more to each other in their
simple home life. To many it would have seemed a narrow and even a
sordid life. It could not have been the latter, for all their hard
work, their petty economies and plans to increase the hoard in the
savings bank were robbed of sordidness by an honest, quiet affection
for each other, by mutual sympathy and a common purpose. It
undoubtedly was a meager life, which grew narrower with time and habit.
There had never been much romance to begin with, but something that
often wears better--mutual respect and affection. From the first,
James Holcroft had entertained the sensible hope that she was just the
girl to help him make a living from his hillside farm, and he had not
hoped for or even thought of very much else except the harmony and good
comradeship which bless people who are suited to each other. He had
been disappointed in no respect; they had toiled and gathered like
ants; they were confidential partners in the homely business and
details of the farm; nothing was wasted, not even time. The little
farmhouse abounded in comfort, and was a model of neatness and order.
If it and its surroundings were devoid of grace and ornament, they were
not missed, for neither of its occupants had ever been accustomed to
such things. The years which passed so uneventfully only cemented the
union and increased the sense of mutual dependence. They would have
been regarded as exceedingly matter-of-fact and undemonstrative, but
they were kind to each other and understood each other. Feeling that
they were slowly yet surely getting ahead, they looked forward to an
old age of rest and a sufficiency for their simple needs. Then, before
he could realize the truth, he was left alone at her wintry grave;
neighbors dispersed after the brief service, and he plodded back to his
desolate home. There was no relative to step in and partially make
good his loss. Some of the nearest residents sent a few cooked
provisions until he could get help, but these attentions soon ceased.
It was believed that he was abundantly able to take care of himself,
and he was left to do so. He was not exactly unpopular, but had been
much too reticent and had lived too secluded a life to find uninvited
sympathy