Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-04-28

A magnihcant sword, with suitable ill.,
scripion, was in due time forwarded to the
Admiralty for Capt. Seymour, as token OF
the gratitude of Capt. Barry and his wife.
MARTHA PHILLIPS.
She was dead. An old woman with sill
very hair, brushed smoothly away from her
wrinkled forehead, and snowy cap tied un-
der Der chin; a sad, quiet face; a patient
mouth, with lines that told of sorrow borne
with gentle firmness; and two withered,
tired hands, crossed. That was all.
Who, looking in at the sleeping form,
would think of love and romance, OF
heart only just healed of wound received
long, long years ago.
Fifty years she had lived under that roof,
farmers wife. If you look on that little
plate on her coffin lid you will see Aged
seventy" there, aud she was only twenty
when John Phillips brought her home
bride.
A half century she had kept her careful
watch over her dairy and larder, had made
butter and cheese and looked after the in
Vulnerable duties that fall to the share of
farmers wife. And John never had
buttonless shirts and undarned socks; had
not come home to an untidy house and
scolding wife.
But underneath her quiet exterior there
was story that John never dreamed OF.
She did not marry for love. When she
was nineteen, a rosy happy girl, stranger
came on visit to their village, and that
summer was the brightest she ever knew.
Paul Gardner was the strangers name; he
was an artist, and fell in love with the sim
pie village girl and won her heart; and when
he went away in the autumn they were be-
trothed.
II come again in the spring." he said
Trust me and wait for me, Matte. dear
She promised to love and wait for him
till the end of time, if need be, and with
kiss on her quivering lips he went away.
Springtime came, and true to his word
Paul returned; he stayed only day or two
this time.
81 am going away in a few weeks to Italy
to study" he said.
They renewed their vows and parted with
tears and tender, loving words; he put a
tiny ring upon her finger, and cut little
curly tress from her brown hair; and tell
ing her always to be true, he went away.
The months went by, and Matte was try
ing to make the time seem short by study
ing to improve herself so that she might be
worthy of her lover when he should come
back to make her his wife.
One day she glanced over newspaper,
her eyes were attracted by his name, and
with white lips and dilated eyes she read of
his marriage to another.
Married! Taken another bride instead
Of coming back to marry me! -SOh, Paul!
Paul! loved and trusted you for this?"
She covered her face with her hands and
wept utterly An hour afterwards, as she
sat there in the twilight, she heard step
on the gravel walk, and looking up saw
John Phillips coming up the steps. He
had been to see her often before, but had
never yet spoken of love, and had received
no encouragement to do so. He was a
plain, hard working farmer, with no ro-
nance about him, but matter of fact to the
core. His wife would get few caresses or
tender words He would be kind enough
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 chair beside her, and after
the usual greeting, reserving scarcely mo-
ment to take breath in began, in his bust
ness like way. There was no confession
of love, no pleading, no hand clasping, no
tender glances; he simply wanted her;
would she be his wife?
| Her lips moved to tell him she did not
love him; but as she let fall her eyes from
the crimson hearted rose that swung
from the vine over the window she caught
sight of those few lines again.
MARRIED." she said to herself. What
can do? He doesn't ask me to love him.
If I marry him can be true wife to him.
and nobody will know that Paul has Tilted
me-"
The decision was made. Her cheeks
were ashy pale as she looked up into his
eyes and answered, quietly: eyes, will
be your wife"
Her parents were pleased that she was
chosen by so-well-to-do young man; so
it was settled, and they were married the
same summer. People thought that she
sobered down wonderfully; more than
that, nothing was said that would lead any
one to suppose that any change had taken
place.
| Yes, she had sobered down. She dared
not think of Paul There was no hope
ahead. Life was time to be filed with
| herself John was always kind, but she
got so wearied of his talk of stock and
crops and said to herself: II must work
harder, plan and fuss and hustle about as
other women do, 80 that may forget and
grow like john"
Two years went by. A baby sleptin the
cradle, and Martha-nobody called her
| Matte but Paul-sat rocking with her foot
as she knitted blue wollen stocking for
the baby's father. There was knock al
the half open door. -
will You be kind enough to direct me the
nearest way to the village2" said voice
and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required direc.
ton when he came quickly forward.
'tPaulp'
"Mattie!' GCE1EG
His face lighted ZIP and he reached ou
his arms. With a surprised painful look
she drew back.
Mr.. Gardner, this is most unexpected
meeting" sLy8s sfe@l .EK1s
ssMr. Gardiner he repeated; 4Mattie
what do you mean?"
Don't call me Matte, if you please,
she replied, with dignity. My name i
Philips" II ~ tgey, ~
j "Philipsl" he echoed. Are you mar
ried?r
.'These are strange words from You, Pau
Gardner; did you think was waiting al
this time for another woman's husband?-
J that was keeping my faith with one VIII
played false so soonp" VI 81
Played you false2 am come as prom
Used you. The two years are but jus
passed, and am here to claim you. VIII
do you greet me thus? Are You indee
married, Matte Gray?"
!, She was trembling like an aspen Leaf
For an answer she pointed to the cradle
He came and stood before her with whit
face and folded arms.
/ t.El xrs ~ Il,