Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-23
SISTER MARIHA.
Bv AUGUSTA HARMED.

tCopYEight. 1892. by American Frees Assoea@
 ..weu,- sald he, in tone of grim re- straint that his schooner hands under stood as sign of tempest piping up in the shrouds, "pay out your hawser if you must, Mrs. Whitcumb. I'll be dumned if I can make out your bear ings, or which way you are tryin to steer"
 ''Don't use foul langwidge, George Bligh, in the presence of a woman. Them sailor oaths are repugnant to my feelins. It's not associatin with the sex for so many years that's made you what you are, George, and it's the greatest of pities, for you had in you the makin of 3 fine man-I may say splendid man. And you know was Twin, when we both was young, at Mother Mayhew's as sort of left handed connexion of the fam fly, doin sewin and helpin with the housework; and Vinie was just grown up then. Well, yes; do suppose Vinie was as pretty as picture-all pink and white and the sweetest hair falling around her head in big loose ringlets. didn'tw twon- der you admired Vinie, George, but l knew then she hadn't any physical stam- iny. Her hands were always weak and white, she couldn't lift or work hard, and you, George, needed wife that could help you along-could go in and rough it if there was any need; and there was more than one woman in this town that would have been glad to do it. But, of course, with land adjoining and you Twin neighbors and seein her every time you was home from sea, you fell in love with Vinie. But she wasn't the one cut out for you. I always knew it and so did Mother Mayhew, partly on &C., count of Vinie's being such 8 weaklin and partly because she knew you would never be a professin Christian"
 A slight quiver seemed to pass over the captains strong frame, and when Mrs. Whitcumb came to pause he was ! silent moment before he put out his hand and said in a strange, hoarse voice, 'I won't hear any more of this"
 You've got to hear it" said the widow in tremulous tones, sitting bolt upright in the rocking chair. ''I can't go on this way much longer with my appetite a comin and goin like the old woman's soap, and me turnin a marigold yell low that always had good, clear skin, and my nights on bed of thorns instead of 8 good hair mattress with the best springs"
 "For Gods sake try to keep before the wind" muttered the captain, as he puck cred his forehead and moved impatiently in his chair.
 "You know," she went on nervously, Git was at that time Josiah Whitcumb was paying attention to me. Josiah was kind of lubberly, thick skulled boy, but he had inherited a good farm at Bath from his father, Deacon Whitcumb that was, Mother Mayhew's first hus- band, and his mother wanted to get him married off. There wasn't many girls that would look at Josiah in spite of the farm, and Mother Mayhew worried 8 good deal about it. She thought it would be just the makin of Josiah to get mar ried, and I bein right there in the family and havin nothing of my own it did look as if it might be intended. Mother May hew was always talking about the pint ings of providence. She was very re- | ligious woman. But you see I couldn't love Josiah no way. never pretended I loved him even when thought it best to take him. was a girl then, and I had my fancy for dark man, with a fine figger and high spirit. I always did admire high strung men, and while you was lookin at Vinie, Cap'n Bligh, I was lookin at you, which I hadn't ought to-"
 Here she paused, and fumbling in her pocket for her handkerchief put it to her eyes.
 "Go onY shouted the captain impa- tiently, ''for Gods sake let's warp into dock"
 Sister Martha had turned pale under the sallow tint of her skin.
 "Cap'n Bligh," she faltered, "I feel as if was exposin myself dreadfully, but I've got to do it. Have you got that Testament you saved from your last ship wreck along with the demijohn of whis- ky? want to see it."
 The captain got up and strode to his bedroom, adjoining the room they were in. Mrs. Whitcumb could see through the open door the tumbled bed and a confusion of garments. He seemed to be searching for some time in the drawers of bureau, whirling over the contents with large, impatient hand. At length he came out, bringing a small thick vol. ume bound in leather, with the leaves discolored and the covers warped by a IWeUG1nS 1n SalG WACSr. mIS. WhICu1uu took it and turned to the fly leaf. "It's got your sister Angelina's name , lin it," she said, "and guess you'd have to respect an oath if you took it on this book"
 The captain was standing before her with his hands in his pockets glowering and knitting his brows in his effort tc understand. "An oath" said he aston ished; "what do you mean?"
 "I mean there's secret weighing or
 my mind, and if it does look bad for mt n Pve got to tell it."
 . "Keep your secrets for all me-" sait he, turning abruptly on his heel; ''rve n'
 doubt it's some d-d piece of foolishness.' ''I can't keep it and won't, Georg Bligh. It's Ellin me by inches. My leg = are all a-tremble after 8 sleepless nigh
 when something comes and stands b, T .nl Ao lA