The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-11
MARTHA PHILLIPS.


She was dead. An old woman with sill
very hair, brushed smoothly away from her
wrinkled forhead, and snowy cap tied under
her chin, sad quiet face; a patient mouth,
that told Of sorrow borne with gentle firm
ness; and two withered, tired hands, crossed.
That was all.
Who looking az the sleeping form, would
think Of love and romance, of a heart only
lust healed of a wound received long, long
years ago.
Fifty years ago she had lived under that
roof a farmers wife. If YOU look on that
little plate on her coffin lid you will see
aged 20" there and she was only twenty
when John Phillips brought her home a
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 a
farmers wife. And John had never gone
with buttonless shirts and undarned socks;
had not come home to an untidy house and
q scolding wife.
But underneath her quiet exterior there
was a story that John never dreamed of
She did not marry for love. When she was
nineteen, rosy, happy girl, a stranger came
was the brightest she ever knew. Paul
Gardner was the strangers name; he was
an artist, and fell in love with the simple
village girl and won her heart; and when
he went away in the autumn they were be-
trothed.
"I 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 q
kiss on her quivering lips he went away.
SpriHgtime came, and, true to his word,
Paul returned, but he staid only day OF
two this time.
al am going away in a few weeks to Italy
70 study" he said.
They renewed their vows and parted with
tears and tender, loving words; he put q
tiny ring upon her finger, and cut a little
curly tress from her brown hair, and telling
her always to be true, he went away.
The months went by, and Matte was
trying 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 a newspaper;
her eyes were attracted by his name, and
with white lips and dilated eyes she read OF
his marriage to another.
"mhrrleul 1hken AuOLner DTlue instead
of coming back TO marry mel Oh, Paul
Paul, loved and trusted you for thisp
She covered her face with her hands and
wept bitterly. An hour afterward, as she
sat there in the twilight, she heard astep 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 encour-
agement to do He was plain, hard.
working farmer, with no romance about
him, but matter-of fact to the core. Hi:
wife would get few caresses or tender
words. He would be kind enOugh-giv6
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 q chair beside her, and after the
usual greeting, reserving scarcely a moment
to take breath in, began in his busihess-like
way. There was no confession Of love, nc
pleading, no hand-clasping, no tender
glances: he simply wanted a word; would
she be his wife?
Her lips moved to tell him she did not
owe 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 do2 He doesn't ask me to love him
If 1 marry him can be true wife to hin
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 anC
answered quietly: Yes, 1 will be you
WIFE,"
Her parents were pleased that she was
chosen by so well-to-do young man; so il
cd riaH
summer People thought that she sobereC
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 hops
ahead. Life was time to be filed will
something so that she might rot think. o
herself. John was always kind, but sh'
got so wearied of his talk of stock anC
crops, and said to herself: 81 must worl
harder, plan and fuss and hustle about a
other women DO, so that l may forget anC
grow like john"
Two years went by. A baby slept in tn,
cradle, and Martha-nobody called her Mat
tie but Paul-sat rocking with her foot a
she knitted a blue wooden stocking for tn
baby's father. There was a knock at tn
half-open door.
Twill you be kind enough to direct M
the nearest way to the village?" said voice
and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required direc
tion, when he came quickly forward.
PAUL.
"Mattie"
His face lighted up and he reached on
his arms. With surprised, painful look
she drew back.
"Mr. Gardner, this is most unexpected
meeting"
"Mr. Gardner" he repeated; "Msttie
what do yeu mean?'
''Don't you call me Matte, if you please
she replied with dignity. my name il
Phillips"
"PhillipsP he echoed. "Aro you mar
ried2"
These are strange words from you, Pau
Gardner; did you think 1 was waiting al
this time for another woman's husband
That was keeping my faith with one VIII
played false so soon7"
"Piayed you falsel am come as / prom
ised you. The two years are but ust passed
and am here to claim you. VIII y do yo
greet me thusf Are you indeed married