San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-26
SISTER MARTHA.
By AUGUSTA HARMED.

copyright, 1852, by American Press Associa
TO remember WHAT happened arUer JnaJ.
Her gaze was wistful and questioning
now as it rested on the captains face.
There seemed so many things she wished
to ask. but for which she could not frame
sentences.
"You are not afraid to trust me, Vi
nie?"
''Oh, no, George" with little smile
about her pale lips. "Why should be
afraid? have always trusted you"
81 guess, Vinie, I've been most crazy
with love and remorse all day. Ever
since your Sister Martha came here this
morning; seems as though had slipped
my anchor and was going right out of
my senses"
''Sister Martha?" she repeated with
questful look. 81 don't know what she
said, but I've been thinking of you
George for fifteen years, and yet was
like one paralyzed that couldn't put out
a hand to beckon. They tried to make
me distrust you, but never did. They
told me strange stories of perfidy and a
dissolute life, but l always believed you
were true to me until they came between
us. | thought you might go wrong at
times, George, because you are quick
and passionate man, but | knew your
heart. saw your real self. 1t makes
me glad to tell you the simple truth at
last. 1t is just as if we were both dead
and in heaven talking over the past, and
clearing up old Misunderstanding with
the light of eternity on our faces. am
a poor. broken winged creature, George.
ly, like an cid hen fighting for its one
chick. "And what place this is to ask
lady'to stay in. A man of your prop
erty should be ashamed of himself, Cap'n
Bligh. It's downright heathenish, if ]
do say it."
''Don't be an old fool" the parrot put
in casually, as if making mere passing
remark.
Ann jumped as if she had been bitten
in a sensitive part.
"Oh," she cried snappishly, I'D jest
like to wiring the neck of that old swearin
bird, as you've filled up full of bad lang
widge"
Don't get angry with poor old poll,
Ann. She learned those bad tricks at
sea. The sailors taught them to her."
81 don't like anything seafarin,' said
Ann, with her nose in the air, ian old
Mis- Mayhem never did either. We al.
ways agreed on them pints, though we
did differ some. She knew seafarin
men is ungodly, most parts, and prodi-
gious swearers. guess she'd turn over
in her grave if she could see her darter
a-layin there on that there sofy."
The captain gave laugh that sounded
happy and confident, and to AIMS
establishment she saw that Miss Mayhem
was smiling, too, and little girlish
blush had stolen into her cheek. Sup
pose Ann" said she softly, 1--WE were to
ask the captain to come home and live
with u.s. II we were to make him COM
Portable and happy he might forget all
he has suffered in his lonely life, and all
the evil that has been done him by un.
kind tongues"
well, Leviny Mayhem, l never did
hear the beat of that. It's just as if you
was THROWN yourself at the captains
head-as if you were offerin yourself"
mo, Ann" and she raised her voice
little so that every word might be
clearly understood, The asked me and
I've accepted, seeing as he thinks I'm
worth taking, though don't understand
how he can: but it's all settled between
US now. like our house better than
this one would rather live there, and
l shall beg the captain to come home and
stay with us before long"
Ann had listened to this speech with
her mouth open and CONSERVATION paint
ed on her face. ''Merciful manr' she ex
claimed, I'm beat all out and don't
know whether I'm standin on my head o.
heels. He's axed you and you've accept
ed! Well, if there's spooks should thinl
Mis- Mayhem would be walking into thi
room. But, of course, if you want hin
and think it's proper to take him a
your time of life and his'n, with then
nervous spells of yours comm on
when it's hot water bags in
Jiffy. and the squeak of mouse set
your head to jumpin, why, I've nothin,
more to say. | amt one to NEEDLE o
make. But don't hev no profane par
rots around me, and when the insuranc
folks builds up my part of the house,
want the capn to know that I'm cock G
the walk and has no master orderin o
my quarter deck. | don't black boot,
nor lift trunks, nor run arrents, nc
stand sass from no man, 1 don't cal
who he is If you want him in yor
part of the house, Miss Mayhem, VIII,
take him; and may suthin bad an
black light on his head if he don't tire;