Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-02-20
MARTHA'S MISSION.

graceful, Martha Fairfield looked in
her deep mourning dress, waXcn white
complexion and liquid gray eyes, as
she she stood at the window, waiting
for the rumble Of the omnibus wheels
en- rontc for The statiol, while close at
her side hcavy-oyed widow rcso-
lutely endeayorcd to keep back the
tears.
at will not be for long, mamma,
dear said Martha. en- ouragingly.
And Mrs. Fairfield answered,
bravcly, NO, darling, il will not be
for long"
"And only to think, mamma" went
on Martha, cheerlly, 81 am to have
f150 year aad six weeks vacation
in the summer, and ali the duties |
am to perform are being companion
to an invalid. You don't know how
rich feel, mamma, dear And shall
send you q cheek for the very first
quarterly payment | receive; for what
do need of money, mamma, with my
nice, new outfit of dresses?'
Mrs. Fairfield sighed softly. A sit
uation for Martha had been the most
earnest desire of mother and daughter
for the past six m1nths-cyer since
;,; Col /. EairfelAs 9ealiAl reg Sdtt sit hG6 h6N
that it had actually come, by means
of newspaper advertisement that
Martha had valiantly answered, she
felt a vague sense of coming danger
and misfortune, which was inexplica-
ble even to herself.
A long, loving embrace--a fearful
parting-and the moment, SO long
dreaded by both, was over; and the
future had beg n for Martha.
The first page of the volume was
simple enough-a long, wearisome
journey by rail, numbering coach
ride afterwards, into the very heart of
the Welsh mountains. Aud as the
purplish tinges of twilight were be-
ginning to settle down in the gorges,
the coach stopped.
"Cross-road Tor Campington Hall i"
called out the driver, hoarsely.
"Now, then, miss, look alive; there 5
a carriage wailin'."
Miss Fairicld?" said the chariot
eer of this latter equipage, respectfully
touching his hat. "Plcase, miss, DR..
Canpington sent me down here to
meet YOU" ..,- :. .,...... 30. ~
"Dr Campington!" Martha re-
peated, ooh to be sure?" as it flashed
upon her mind that DIR. Campington
must be the medical attendant of her
Invalid pahoncss. "Is it far?'
"No, miss--a matter of two miles
or more"
1.-TWO miles!" Martha leaned
wearily back in the carriage. and drew
down her veil to conceal the drops that
stood in her eyes.
II was q sad and desolate ride, spite
of the sublime scenery. that spread it.
self, like panorama, on either side
OF her; and Martha Fairfield could moi
but rejoice when the man said;
"There's the Hall. miss"
1t was aspacious aud rather gloomy
looking structure, standing on a
height, with a terraced walk extend
ing along its whole front.
"What a large house!" she ex-
claimed,
ayes, miss, it is large" said the
driver. "We've had fifty patients
there at time"
Again Martha stared, and again her
read wit suggested a solution of the
difficulty. Was 1t not possible that
this lady for whom her services were
secured was all inmate of "Water-
Cure" or "Hygeian Home, or some
retreat for the ailing?
''NIiss Fairfield" spoke cheerful
voice. sPray let me assist you to
alight. am DIR. Campington.
And tall middle-aged, handsome
gentleman advanced down the steps
gentleman with high, Shakespear-
ian brow, and mustache slightly
grizzled-who led the way into a pret-
ty octagon study, or reception room,
with red carpet, crimson curtains
and walls lined with books, whose
gilded bindings reflected the ckeery
blaze of good fire.
pray be seated, Miss Fairfield" he
said. "The servants win bring you
some tea directly; and when you are O
little rested and refreshed, my house