The National tribune., 1881-06-01
Martha Phillips.

She dead An old woman with silvery hair
brushed smoothly away from her wrnkled forehead and
snowy cap tied under her chin quiet face patient
mouth with lines that told of borne with gentle
ness and two wthered tired hands, crossed That was
all.
Who looking at the sleeping form would think of love
and romance OF heart only just healed of wound
ceived long years ago.
Fifty years she had lived under that roof a farmers
wife Ii you look that place her cofn-lid you will
Aged seventy there, and she only twenty when
John Phillips brought her home BRIDE
half century she had kept her careful watch over her
dairy and arder had made butter and cheese looked
ter the innumerbe duties that fall the share of far
mers wife. And John had gone with buttonless
shirts and undarned socks had not come home to
tidy house and scolding wife.
But underneath her quiet exterior there was story
John never dreamed of She did marry for love
When she was nineteen rosy happy girl a stranger
visit to their village and that was the
brightest she ever knew Paul Gardner was the stran-
gers name he artist, and fell in love with the
simple village girl and won her heart and he went
away in the autumn they were betrothed.
II come again in the spring, he said Trust me and
wait for me, Matte dear
She promised love and wait for him till the end of
time If need be, and with kiss her quverng lips he
went away.
Springume came and true to his word Paul returned
he stayed only day or two this time.
II am going away III few weeks TO Italy study - he
said.
They renewed their and parted with tears and
tender, loving words he pa tiny ring upon her finger
and cut little curly tess from her brown hair and tell
ing her always to be true, he went away
The months went by and Matte trying to make
the time hort by studying to improve herself so
that she might be worthy of her lover when he should
come back Co make her his wife
One day she glanced newspaper her eyes were
attpacte, by his name, and with white lips and dated
eyes he Tread of his marriage to another.
m arried Taking another bride instead of coming
back to marry me- oh, Paul Paul loved and trusted
you for this 20
Se covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly
An hour afterward she 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 yet spoken of love- and
had Teceiv ed encouragement do He was plain
matteroffact TO the His wife would get few car
esses or tender words He would be kind enough-give
her plenty TO eat and wear.
Now he seemed TO have for the express purpose
asking her to be his wife, for he took chair beside her.
and after the usual greeting reserving scarcely
ment 20 take breath In began in his businesske way
There was no confession of love, pleading hand
caspng 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 from the crimson hearted that
swung from the vine the window she caught sight
of those few lines again.
Married." she said to herself 'W hat can do ?
he does not ask me TO love him. If marry him
has Tilted me-
The decision was made Her cheeks were ashy pale
as she looked up into his eyes and answered quietly
Eyes, l will be your wife"
her parents were pleased that she chosen by so
wetodo young man: so it was settled and they were
married the same summer. People thought that she
oered down wonderfully; than that, nothing
sad that would lead any to suppose that any change
had taken place