Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-15
MISS MARTHA.


| vile simply Miss Martha"-satby one ofthe
windows of her coy sitting-room. putting the
| last stitches into a flannel skirt for old Mrs.
Bodley, who suffered terribly with the rheu-
matism, which was not improved by the
weekly scrubbings she gave the Offices in the
| brick block on Main street.
Miss Martha had just sewed stout horn
button on the waist belt and was about to fold
the skirt up. smiling at the thought of the
old woman's delight when she should receive
the gift. when the hall door opened without
the ceremony of preceding knock, and a
neighbor, Mrs. Marsh, came in.
"You ought not to sew by twilight, Miss
Martha" she said. as she entered the room,
you'll ruin your eyes. But that not what
came here to say; Mrs. Norcross died an hour
ago"
The smile faded from Miss Martha face, and
her eyes grew humid.
Poor woman" she said. in her low. sweet
voice. SO she has gone at last. She suffered
| a great deal"
Yes. and she was glad to go. But she had
every attention. in spite Of being a stranger
here. DIR. Edgecourt visited her every day,
and never charged her a cent. 1 know. and all
the neighbors sent things to eat. Cancers are
terrible things. She was a mighty patient
woman. Poor SOUL But now" with a sudden
change of tone. whats to be done with Eva?'
Has she no relative at all!''
mo one. She is too refined and pretty to do
homework. even If she was strong enough,
which she isn't. She can't go to the poor
house. of course. and she hasn't a dollar
there'sso be a subscription to pay the burial
expenses"
Miss Martha stood smoothing the flannel
skirt with her white. thin hands, her face wear
ing expression of deep thought mingled
with anxiety. Once she opened her lips as if
to speak. then hesitated and closed them again.
Ought she to make this sacrifice which seemed
urged upon her? 1t would be selfish not to do
So. She raised her head and said, in a firm,
sweet voice:
The girl must come to me, since there is no
one else to take her. have plenty for one-I
can make it enough for two by exercising econ
omy.'
That's just like you. Miss Martha, knew
you'd make the offer. The girl has got first
rate education. and she can study up enough to
take a school by next fall. OF course YOU won't
want her around after yod are married"
deep flush came into Miss Martha's natu-
rally pale face; she dropped her eyes and
turned away from Mrs. Marsh with some muir
INJURED excuse about making the flannel skirt
she held into bundle to be sent away.
The neighbors agreed that Eva Norcross
could not have found better home than she
had at Miss Marthas. The little cottage stood
in a large garden. well filed with fruit trees
and shrubs. In the summer it was CAV with
flowers OF very many varieties. and sweet
smelling honeysuckle wandered over and near
ly concealed the fence and front piazza. Miss
Martha had lived in the cottage with old Ham
nah for twelve years. For three Of these years
she had been engaged to Or. Tom Edgecourt
whose practice was yet too small to enable him
10 marry. He was year younger than Miss
Martha. and this fact often stung her very keen
~. She sometimes stood before her looking
glass and attentivelv studied her face wishing
she was twenty instead of thirty, and had the
bloom of ten years before. Her hair was still
glossy and abundant her eyes still bright; but
the plumpness and bloom of her early girlhood
had fed forever.
Occasionally she wondered if Tom would al
ways love her, and tortured herself with imag-
lining II sacrifice for him to marry her
Would not young girl suit him better? She
started like guilty thing when Hannah's tap
at the door call from the hall below inter-
rupted these meditations. She was ashamed
OF herself that she thought so much of her de-
parted prettiness and the difference between
her age and Toms. Yet she could not drive
away her harassing doubts, nor would she try
Tom. She was shy and sensitive, and SO was
he. and they were both very proud.
Evan Norcross found her new home a very
quiet but not an unhappy one. She was gem
tie and timid. and did not care for the society
of girls of her own age. She liked nothing bet
ter than to lie in an easy chair all day with
book or some embroidery in her white, pretty
hands. which Miss Martha was never weary of
admiring. The dead mother had INDUCED her
one child. and never taught her to make her.
active in the cottage. At the outset Miss
Martha had told her that she would be re-
CURED TO do nothing but study, Hannah being
fully competent to do the entire work of the
small establishment.
You must educate yourself to teach" Mrs.
Marsh SAID one morning as she entered the
cottage IN her abrupt way and found Eva en-
bordering a cushion. You can't live on Miss
Martha all your life. Next fall we will try to
get you the district school at Dodds corner''
Eva shuddered and grew little pale. while
the work fell from her hand
Il have heard that the children at Dodd's
Corner were very rough with the last master"
she said. in her soft, low voice.
a woman might have more influence with
'em than a man." said Mrs. Marsh ..Anvhow.
IT won't hurt you to try if spell. Miss Mar
tina. that lady came in from the kitchen
where she had been making quaker for old
Mrs. Green's cold, ''you must get the doctor to
give Eva some Strengthening medicine, yell
low dock tea would put new life into her."
DIR. Edgecourt called that afternoon for a
moment. on his way to make professional
visit. and Miss Martha told him what Mrs.
Marsh had said
The young man sat down by Eva and took
her hand in his. Miss Martha watched him
closely. wondering if he noticed how round
and white was the wrist ON which he pressed
his finger.
she is not sick" he said; ''all she needs is
fresh air and exercise and then he proposed
that she should wrap up and get into his sleigh
at the door and drive with him to the house of
his patient two miles away.
Can't you go, too, Martha" he asked. "We
Will crowd you in somewhere"
Il do not care to CO." she said. and Tom
thought her manner rather cold and depress-
ing. He did not urge the matter. for he was
easily wounded. and never asked her a second
time TO grant him a favor. He was not de-
monstratIve lover, perhaps because Miss Mar
Una never encouraged caresses. She did not
think IT modest or womanly to do so, yet she
often caught herself wishing that Tom would
be more affectionate. They had been engaged
Tor three years. but had seen comparatively
little of each other. owing to Tom studies and
poor patients-Of which there were maryland
they had never grown familiar az is the case
with most lovers
Miss Martha watched the couple drive away.
ION oent to arrange the buffalo robe more
closely about his companion. and said some
thing which made them both laugh, and Miss
Martha turned quickly from the window with
PAIN at her heart. The girlish face framed
IN neecy wool of the black hood was so very
lovely! Would he mark the difference, and re-
greet
She took up her work and began to turn
Gown hem; but she could not drive away the
haunting thoughts which tormented her.
lhfee years. she murmured 1T is long
engagement; and have heard it said that men
are not patient walters. l wonder il he has
ever wished to be free again.