Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-11-19
An EVERYDAY ROMANCE.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.
BY ELLA Il. srRATToN.


She did not know that she was a
heroine. She does not know it now
She does moi stop to think that
courage can be of mental as well as
physical exertion. There are many
like her in this great world Of ours,
people whom we think that we know
we'll, whose hidden lives hold sim
pie grandeur that He alone can see.
Who reads the Utmost hearts Of
men.
Joel Mason was dead.
He dropped out of this life very
much as he had lived in it, and his
neighbors spoke Of his death with
the same careless indifference that
they had ever treated him while liv-
ing.
Might as well have died years
ago for all the good he's ever done,
either to himself or for anyone else,
said one.
He better have died before he
put that mortgage on the little place
that's the only home his wife and
'MeIia ever knew" added another,
as the two were discussing the event
in Whitcomb's grocery store.
A young man stood by the desk,
seemingly busy with a long row Of
ledger figures, but really listening to
the conversation with painful eager
ness.
Charlie Newcome was Amelie Ma
sons lover and had been ever since
they were children together. "Three
hundred dollars is a big sum for two
women to pay, but 'Aelia is as a
steel trap. She'll do it," third
voice said emphatically, and Squire
Goodwin, who held the aforesaid
mortgage, slapped his knee to give
| added Importance to his words.
"Whatl she amt going to try that!''
calculated the first speaker. eyes,
she is. Old Joel made her promise
that, and Mrs. Mason will hold her
right to it until it is paid" was the
triumphant reply.
Charlie Newcome's face grew dark.
He could not hopeto pay the mort
gage with his meager salary. and be
and Amelia were to be married at
Thanksgiving, although they had
kept the fact secret.
The men went out one by one and
as soon as it was time to close the
/ store Charlie put up the shutters
with an impatient bang, locked the
door with a click and turned his
steps towards Amelia's home.
She was waiting for him where
the bridge crossed the stream. His
heart softened when he saw the dark
rings around her eyes, and the flush.
ed cheeks which told plainly Of pro-
tracted weeping. In the quiet church
yard, on the opposite hillside, new
ly-made grave told where Joel was
resting. The lighted windows Of
the cottage above them darkened
now and then, with the shadow Of
his lonely wife, as she spaced restless
| ly back and forth awaiting the re
suit of Amelia's interview with hel
lover.
DWELL 2" Charles voice was hard
and strained and he did not offer his
usual caress.
cit is not we'll, Charlie" she burst
out, and there was pitiful sob in
her young voice. odd you know
that father had mortgaged the home
to Squire Goodwin"
| Eyes" The word fell short and
curt from his set lips.
And that THAT he said / must
pay it? 1t is three hundred dol
| lars she faltered.
"More than the whole place is
worth. Better let it CO." was Char
lies comment.
"Oh, no, | cannot do that. The
orchard will pay more than that
every year when it gets to bearing
nicely. But with the poultry and
the bees 1 hope to clear the debt be-
fore,p she asserted timidly.
"Then you are determined to pay
it?" Charles voice was cold and
stern.
Yes-why what else can / do /?
] promised father just before he
died, you know, and . death bed
PROMISE she faltered and paused
questioningly.
!" / know all Of that tuaddle about
promises to the DYING he answered
brutally, but your father had no
right to ask it of you and you have
no right to fulfill il. Why, you are
almost my wife. Do you owe me
nothing -
Was this her Charlie. Could any
lovelight ever soften the angry eyes
that fell before her surprised, re-
proaehful gaze?
know Charlie.n she answered