Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-06-19
MISS MARTHA.

;nto flannel skirt for old Mrs. Bodley
Tho suffered terribly with the rheuma
tsm. which was not improved by ths
weekly scrubbings she gave the offices il
tho brick block on Main street.
Miss Martha had just sewed a stout
Norm button on the waist belt, and wa,
sbout to fold the skirt up, smiling at the
,houeht of the old woman's delight when
sbe should receive the gift, when the
hall door opened without the ceremony
If preceding knock, and 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's not what | came here to say; Mrs.
Norcross died an hour ago"
The smile faded from Miss AIartha'a
face. and her eyes grew humid.
Poor woman she said, in her low,
sweet voice. 80 she has gone at last.
She suffered a great deal"
"Yes, and she was glad to 90. But
she had every attention, in spite of being
stranger here. Dr. Edgecourt visited
her every day, and never charged her a
cent, know; and all the neighbors sent
things to cat. Cancers are terrible
things. She was a mighty patient
woman. Poor soul. But now" with a
sudden ch5nge of tone, whats to be
done with Eya:7
Has she no relative at all:"
"No one. She is too refined and pretty
to do l.. =. even if she was strong
enough, WHICH she isn't. She can't 20
to the poe. mouse, of course, and SIZE
hasn't dollar-there's to be a subscriD-
ton to pay the burial expenses"
Miss Martha stood smoothing the fan
mel skirt with her white, thin hands, her
face wearing an 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 firm, sweet voice:
The girl must come to me. since there
is no one else to take her. l have plenty
for one-I can make it enough fa- -
by exercising economy"
That 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 bv
next fall. OF course you won't want hen
around after you are married"
A deep flush came into Miss Martha's
naturally pale face; she dropped her ewes,
and turned away from Mrs. Marsh. with
some murmurcd excuse about making
the flannel skirt she held into a bundle to
be sent away.
The neighbors agreed that Eva Nor
cross could not have found a better home
than she had at Miss Martha's. The lit
lie cottage stood in 4 large garden, well
hHed with fruit trees and shrubs. In
the summer 1t was gay with flowers Of
very many varieties, and sweet smelling
honeYsuckle wandered over and nearly
concealed the fence and front piazza.
Miss Martha had lived in the cottage
with Old Hannah for twelve wears. For
three OF these years she had been en-
gagged to Dr. Tom Edgecourt. whose
practice was vet too small to enable him
TO marry. le'was a year younger than
Hiss Martha, and this fact often stung her
very keenly. She sometimes stood before
her looking glass and attentiyelv studied
her face, wishing she was 20 instead Of
81 and had the bloom of ten years be-
lore Her hair was still glossy and
ABUNDANT, her eyes still bright: but the
pumpness and bloom of her early girl
hood had fed forever.
occasionally she wondered if Tom
would always love her. and tortured
herself with imagining it a sacrifice for
nun TO marry her. Would not young
glrI suit him better? She started like a
gulty thing when Hannah's tap at the
uoor or call from the hall below inter
tuPed these meditationS. She was
ashamed OF herself that she thought so
Iits OF her departed prettiness and the
gTnerence between her age and Toms.
leI she could not drive away her harass-
llg doubts, nor would she try to set
Tem az rest by speaking of them to
Iom; She was shy and sensitive, and so
Vas ne, and they were both very proud. 1
Eva NorcroSs found her new home a 7
very quiet but not an unhappy one. She |
ss gentle and timid, and did not care I
S9f tiie society of girls of her own age.
ane ASed nothing better than to lie in an !
essy ehair al day with a book or some +
erLL:ol}oiaery IN her white, pretty hands. .
",ich Miss Martha was never weary Of T
SS ~ The dead mother had in F
Sulsed her one child, and never taught +
80 ~ 70 make herself useful There was .
. ~ Aeeu Tor her 10 be active in the cot
AT the outset Miss Martha had F
W %'u ner that she would be required t.
nil nolhing but study, Hannah being
~ competent to do the entIrl work Of
NE ,S small establishment.
" lou must educate yourself 10 + sch."
rs, rs marsh aid, one morning. - AZ en-
for vu tlG cottage in her abrupt WAY and
.,Vo'u Eva embroideriug G, ion.
lie 0A san live on Miss Martl, II Var
tbo AZ Next fall we will Try to +. oI
oIS1Tlct school at Dodd'S Covr>..
viii !shaddered and grew h,tle pale,
~ Ihe work fell from her h2ud.
nave heard that the CailicII :;
~. e Corner were very rough vi q til.
yo;c muster she said, il her 500, 49,
viii a woman might have moro inilr>ut,
" 49, en- than man." said Mrs. lar =.
snaI 1i' H9W 1t won't hurt you 10 trr l. Is.
n - Mss Martha" as that lady c@Io1
itEn the kitchen where she had be
coIJ - u quaker" for old Mrs. GreCa
Ero you must get the doctor TO give
low S3nie strengthening medicine. Ncl-
Der "N'eA Tea would put new life into
NNsecourt called that afternoon
fess;a moment, on his way 10 make pro
WI Ha visit, and Miss Martha told him
To-, Mrs' Marsh had said.
tool Young man sat down by Eva and
49, her hand in his. Miss Martha
notic asa him closely, wondering if he
VIZ how round and white was the
ISL Ss On which he pressed his finger.
nes5a re Is not sick" he said "all she
h. MS Is fresh air and exercise" and then
set i nUPoSed that she should wrapup and