Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-08
nxIS CELANEOUS.
Martha Phillips.


She was dead an old woman, with silvery
hair brushed smoothly away from her wrinkled
forehead, a snowy cap tied undar her chin; a
sad quiet face; patient mouth, with lines
about it that told of sorrow borne with gentle
firlnress; and two withcred, tired hands, cross
ed with a rostful look That was all.
Who, looking at the sleeping form, would
think Of love and romance, Of heart only Just
healed Of a wound received long, long ago?
Fifty years she had lived under that roof
farmers wife. If you look on the little plate
on tho coffin lid, you will see "Aged 20
there; and sho was only twenty when John
Phillips brought her home, a bride.
A half century she had kept her careful
watch over dairy and larder, had made butter
and cheese and looked after the innGmerable
duties that fall 10 the share Of farmers wife.
And John had never gone with buttonless
shirts OF undarned socks had not come home
to an untidy house and scolding wife, His
Trim, tidy Martha had been his pride; aud
though not demonstrative husband, he had
boasted sometimes of the model housewife that
kept lis home in order.
But underneath her quiet exterior thore was
story that John never dreamed Of, and would
hardly have believed possible had he been told.
She did not marry for love- Whom she was
nineteen, rosy, happy girl, stranger came
on visit to thor little village, and that Sum
mer was the brightest and happiost she ever
knew. Paul Gardner was the strangers
name he was an artist, and fell In love with
the simple village maiden, and won her heart;
and, when he went away In the Autumn they
were betrothed.
"I'll come again In tho Spring" he said
Trust me. and wait for ne Matte dear"
She promised to love and wait for him 10
the end of time, if need be; and with kiss on
her quivcring lips, he went away.
Matte Gray did not tell her father and
mother Of her love Tor they had no liking Cor
London folks, and had treated Paul none too
Hospitality when he had venturod inside their
house.
Springtime came, aud true to his word, Paul
returned ho staid only day or two this time.
4 am going away in a few weeks to Italy,
to study" he said. 9" | shall be gone two
years, and then I shall come to claim you for
my bride"
They renewed their vows, and parted with
tsars, and tender loving words; he put a tiny
ring on her finger, and cut little curly tress
from her brown hair; and, telling her to be
always true, and wait for him, he went away.
The months won't by, and Matte was try
ing to make the time seom short by studying
to improve herself 50 she might be worthy Of
her lover, when he should return TO make her
his wife.
at must be about the time be is to start,
she said to herself one day.
And by aud by, as she glanced ovor news
paper, her eye was attracted by his namo, aud
with white lips and dilated eyes, she read Of
his marriage to another
Married Taken another bride, instead of
coming back to marry me! Oh, Paul Paul
| loved and trusted you for this "
She covered her face with her hands and
wept bitterly.
An hour afterwards, as she sat there in the
twilight with the fatal newspaper lying in her
lap. she heard step on the gravel walk and,
looking up, she saw John Phillips coming up
the steps. lie had been to see her often be-
fore, but had never yet spoken Of love, and
had Of course, received 10 encouragement to
do SO. lie was a plain, hardworking farmer,
with no romance about him. but matter-of
fact to the core. His wife would get few ca
resses or tender words. He would be kind
enough-would give her plenty to eat and
wear.
Now, he seemed to have come for The ex-
press purpose Of asking her to be his wife; for
he took a chair, and seating himself beside her,
after the usual greeting, rescrving scarcely a
moment to take breath. began in his business
like way 20 converse. There was no confession
Of love, no pleading, no hand-claSpins, no ten
der glauces he simply wanted her would she
be bis wife? His manner was hearty enough
there was no doubt he really wanted her
would rather marry her than any other wo-
man he knew. but that Is all.
Her lips moved to toll him sho did not love
him but as she let her eyes fall from the Grim
son-hearlol rose that swung from the vine
over the window, she caught sight Of those few
lines again.
Married" I" she said to herself. "What
can ! do? Ilo doesn't ask me TO love him. If
marry him, can be true wife to him, and
nobody will know that Paul has Tilted me-"
The decision was made. Her checks were
ashy pale as she looked up, straight into his |
eyes, and answered quietly, Yes, l will be |
your wife.
Her parents were pleased that she was
chosen by SO well-to-dO young man so it ,
was all settled, and they were married that /
same summer. People thought she sobered .
down wonderfully more than that, nothing
was said that would lead any oue TO suppose
any change had taken place.
Yes. she was sobored down. She dared not
think Of Paul There was no hope ahead
Life was time to be filled up with something, /
so that she might not think Of herself. John
was always kind, but she got so wearied Of his
talk Of stock and crops, and said to herself, a
must work harder plan, and fuss and hustle
about as othor women do, SO that may forget,
and grow ike John"
Two years went swiftly by. A baby slept
in the little cradle; aud Martha-nobody call
cd her Matte but Paul-sat rocking it with |
her foot as she kaitted q blue wOOlen stocking
for the baby's father There was knock ct
the half open door.
AT b.,.e oot into the wong road will Won /