Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-06-20

Miss Martha stood upon the platform
before the assembled school-sweet Miss
Martha, adored by every girlish heart in
the room. Tall and slender was she, clad
in soft gray gown of some spring like
fabric, the full bandeaus of waving au-
burn hair parting in an enchanting double
curve over her smooth, white forehead,
starry hazel eyes, with long, ray-like
lashes, a dainty, clear-cut, oval face, red,
mobile mouth, and a faint sea-shell tint
in the cheeks; not at all like the ideal
schoolma'am.
81 have a note here" she said in that
clear, vibrant voice that never could be
tanned to the conventional monotone, Gin
viting you all to the sociable at the Meth
odist church tonight. Mr.. Rowell in
forms me that an old classmate of his
will be present, and will probably be in
duced to tell the company something of
the mission schools in the Sandwich Is
lands" Miss Martha, looking at the
note as if not quite sure, heSitated a lit
tie before pronouncing the last word,
then tore the sheet of paper to atoms.
"You may find it interesting to CO."
she added, with nod to her assistant to
indicate that she had finished.
The assistant struck the bell, and the
room was filled with the rustic of we'll
ordered rising. Another stroke, and the
girls began to move slowly in single file
toward the door, while Miss Martha,
seated in her armchair, gravely received
their parting salutations.
At the gate a gentleman, who seemed
about to enter, stepped aside, and, lean
ing an arm upon the fence, watched with
benevolent smile the outgoing tide of
youthful loveliness.
The gentleman, the girls decide,
was of very striking appearance, by
reason of the gray hair that framed
a face still youthful in contour
and coloring, and, from his clerical coat
and tie, they at once deduced the Sand
wich Island missionary of the evening.
They passed on in groups and pairs, jost-
ling each other and exchanging whis-
pered comments, accompanied by many
covert backward glances. Waiting until
the last pair was we'll clear of the gate,
the stranger carried out his original in
l-tention of entering.
Miss Martha, still seated in her arm
chair, her face turned toward the door,
and the fragments of the note held loosely
in her hand heard the slow step upon
the cemented walk, but supposing it to
be that of Washington, the colored jani-
tor, she did not stir.
Miss Dabneym
She looked up.
"Ohm she exclaimed, rising with
ID Il Io IA. of
futtered unheeded to the door. "Why
it is-a-Mr. Reidm
Eyes" he said, drawing step nearer,
but still hesitating, as if not quite certain
of his welcome.
But by this time she had recovered her
self, and was once more the self possessed
person she usually appeared. Stepping
down from her platform she advanced to
meet him with outstretched hand, and a
manner that struck just the proper bal
ance between pleasure at meeting long
absent friend and the reserve naturally
incident to long separation.
Il am very glad to see you. | didn't
know you were in town, When did you
arrive"
"This morning. only meant to stop
over one train, but Rowell caught me
and
Whether courage or inclination failed
he broke off, leaving the conjunction to
hang like broken link upon the end of
his unfinished speech.
"He wouldn't let you go, of course"
said Miss Martha with ready tact. "He
wrote me note this morning, inviting
| ho IN tn icrbt
but he neglected to mention your name.
He is exceedingly absent-minded."
"You are very little changed" " he said,
abruptly. II should have known you
anywhere. 1t seems strange that we
should stand together again in this
room"
''It does, indeed, especially when we
think how widely separated we have
been for SO many years.
"Has the distance seemed create
Have the years seemed long2"
"Won't you sit down2" she asked turn
ing with suddenly awakened hospi-
tality toward group of chairs. cit is
pleasanter here than in the parlor.
/ hate the parlor. 1t is always haunted
by the echo of patronizing voices ex-
planning the peculiar sensitiveness of
Mary Ann and the wonderful aptitude of
Maria Jane" She threw back her head
with that bright little laugh that had al
ways been hers.
'It is wonderful how little changed
you are" he said again. 81 am an old
man and you are still girl"
"To be sure," she answered, merrily,
marshaling, with woman's delight in
appearing young to the man she loves, all
the resources of gayety the years had left
her. Growing old is supreme folly.
People turn their heads gray with solemn
study, and fancy they are growing WISE
To keep light heart is the only wis
DOM"
~ wish l had it, " he said, with the old
wistful look in his eyes. "But it is hard
to keep lonely heart light"
''But the way is not to have lonely
heart" she replied, rising to draw a flap
ping shade beyond the reach of the wind
What could he mean2 Had he really
not forgotten, then2 Her own heart and
head grew light to giddiness; still she
must take nothing for granted.
'tAnd the Sandwich Islands, " she said,
rssurning her seat, and bravely attacking
the name that had so haunted her all day.
'sTell me about the Sandwich Ialands.
Life must be very interesting out there"
every"
$50 free from conventionalities and