The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1892-09-17
SISTER MARTHA.
By AUGUSTA HARMED.
Copyright, ls9c. by American Press Assooas
toni

then suddenly the light sprang into her
eyes. why yes, of course know you
you are George Bligh." Then she
paused. as il trying to frame a question
for which tho words would not come,
and said at last:
Where am |, Georges"
lyon are here in my house, Vinie:
brought you here in my arms away
from the fire."
"Oh. yes" said she, growing brighter.
81 remember now. l was alone in the
house; Ann had gone TO meeting. Then
j saw the people all running and heard
them calling, Fire. And | don't seem
TO remember what happened after that. :"
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 no. afraid to trust me, vi.
nie?"
"Oh, no, George" with little smile
about her pale lips. why should | be
afraid? have always trusted you"
Il guess, Vinie, I've been most crazy
with love and remorso all day. Ever
since your Sister Martha came here this
morning: seems rs though had slipped
my anchor and was going right out OF
my Senses"
Sister Marthay" she repeated with a
Questful look. IL 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
hand 10 beckon. They tried to make
Inc distru't you, but never did. They
told inc strange stories of perfidy and
dissuiute life, but l always believed yo,
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. Ii makes
me glad to tell you the simple truth at
Last. 1t is inst rs 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
poor. broken winged creature. George
miserable little bit Of seaweed that
the tide has left high and dry on the
shore. But tc speak with you once more.
to tell you that / always believed in
your better nature is precious priv
ilege"
He put down his dark head on the edge
of the couch, rs if ashamed to let her see
his emotion
ut was n damnable conspiracy to sep
arate us, Vinie. / never can tell you the
whole story, rs it has been told to me,
because my lips are sealed by promise
made with my hand on the Testament.
But it was all made up of fraud and lies
And they made me think you believed.
the lies, and thought had been trifin
with you to lead you to ruin. and that
you hated me like poison, but now |
know was all out in my reckonin, Vinie
It's rs if I'd been TO sea years and years
without scein the sun. No notion where
the north star was, either. compass varied
SO. Kept driftin hither and yon, like
an old abandoned hulk on the current
Tried to go by dead reclsonin. but was
all wrong. Tried to clutch things that
hadn't no comfort in them
"But when you saw the old house
blazing, George, you forgot all that had
come and gone"
"Vinie," said he. solemnly, II felt as
if | could snatch you right out of the
clutches of death"
But wasn't worth saving. George
such a poor creature, all broken and
spent, tied to the chair or to the bed.
George, you might as well think of
dead woman as of me-"
At that moment the old parrot awoke
OH his perch. shook himself, dabbed
fercely at his breast feathers and piped
out, George, kiss Polly.
Vinic burst into little. weak. hysteri-
cal laugh. and the captain raised her
pale hand and laid it or his lips. xvi
ME" he said. 81 swear Ill devote my
whole life to YOU if you'll let me. Ill
cleanse my morithef every foul word and
my heart of every drop of gall. I'll let
nothing come in ~ you, just You. I'll
watch over yQ,l as if you was saint |
right out OF ieayen and no wind shall |
strike you roughly, you poor, dong suf-
fering. patient Ninie, I'm not the |
heather folks would make me, for right |