The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-09
"a MODEL MARTHA >


she had been its most happy member,
for, being Of healthy, cheerful nature,
she did not morbidly brood over de-
pendence, but thankfully took the goods
the gods provided, which, in her case,
her uncle being wealthy, was measure
fun to overlooking. Such calm, steady
ray Of light IN lhe house was she, that
every one counted the hours when she
was absent. Her aunt had often re-
marked 10 her husband that she hoped
Martha would remsin single, for she did
not know how ia the world they could
do without her. Il looked now as u
this would be the result, for Martha bad
been engaged to Gerald Allison for
seven years, aud for his love she had,
much TO the ire Of her uncle, declined
many brilliant offers.
Gerald Allison was a poor clerk, who
had long looked forward to an advance
ment in his salary, tut each year came
round with the old story, bringing with
it the ever poignant disappointment OF
being unable to oder suitable home to
the woman whom he had chosen from
all tue world as his
Il came to be an old story that Gerald
should come and 60, though her aunt
and uncle had little liking for him, ss is
often the case Of the prosperous to those
less successful To Martha's aunt and
uncle the idea that she and Gerald
would ever marry was utterly preposter-
Gus, and her uncle bad once said TO her,
in the heat Of argument:
"rhis tardy lover of yours will keep
all Others away, aud At last leave you
himself"
81 would as soon believe that you,
who have been father to me, would
turn me out Of doors in pitiless storm"
she answered, in her low, soft tones
bot faith spoke ia them.
Martha lacked beauty, yet she pos
sessed gracious charm Of manner that
won more enduring affection. She had
pure, fair complexion, large blue eyes,
clear aud true as a child's, aud a wealth I.
of blonde hair, which she disposed Of in /
braids that in glossy softness crowned /
her head. She was below the medium |
height, and given 10 eDlbonpOint Ger |
aid was her entire contrast 10 appear
ance and temperament, being tall, dark,
and remarkably handsome, given TO ex-
travagant flights Of fancy and frequent
fits OF depression. Although they were
contrasts 10 this, yet they were one in
all noble and ambitious thoughts, in all
generous aims for Improvement
Il was Christmas eve, aud the snow
came down in soft fakes like white
doves, rs Gerald, covered with a mantle
Of the same, presented himself at the
hall door, returning right merrily
Martha's Christmas greeting, as light OF
heart as a boy. But IS she stood there, /
30 daintily fine in beautiful raiment, l
her face trustfully tender, il struck him,
aud not for the first time, that he was
wrongiug her. How could such as she
combat the wolf at the door? And
when in The psrlor, be sighed, drearily
contrasting its spleudor with the poor
comforts be could give ber.
Martha, hearing the sigh, said cheer
ily. though the tear drops, those little
messengers OF sorrow. trembled and
glistened at the eud Of her long lashes:
"Is it to wait another year, love?"
"Oh, Marthav' he cried, seizing both
Of her hands, al have been blindly self
ishi but, my darling, / must not sacri-
fee you. You are not made for the
drudgery Of poor mans lot" aud he
dropped his head in his hands in utter
hopelessuess. 81 cannot ask you to
wait FOR me any longer" be continued,
3 break IN his voice, which is 30 touch
ing 10 a strong man.
At first the quick blood Of sensitive
feeling had crimsoned Martha's face
but her faith was so strong 10 him that
she could not doubt, and her heart, so
womanly tender, was filled with COM
passion for him. She put a soothing
hand upon his head, which he took and
pressed upon his eyelids, and she felt
tears upon It.
"Could we not 2''-she said, and fal-
tered and he, looking up, saw she could
not meet his glance.
"Could We not what? Can it be, love,
that you are willing to leave all these
gew-gaws, and share a crust With me ?"
When he read her candid answer in
her sweet face, be felt blessed beyond
deserving that she should thus love him
above all earthly things.
''You are just throwing yourself away,
Martha" her uncle said "you will al
ways be as poor as a church mouse.
Gerald has fine poetlcal nature. as YOU
say, but will that earn him a way in the
world? I'd give a good deal more for
the old-fashioned word 'spunk.' You are
young aud romantic, but tell you that
it will be no play day with you. You
will earn your name Of Martha before
you have been married a year; and
when the cold winds blow aud penury
pinehes, you will regret the warm nest
you have left"
"No, uncle, fear nothing. We have
temperate wants, and with diligence
we will succeed. The poor are more
coutented than the rich, aud in that, At
least, we can have a mine Of richsa."
"Coutentment never made the kettle
-1f'. ner Furnished tue meat for the