The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-03
MISS MARTHA.


Martha, adored by every girlish heart IN
the room. Tall and slender was she, ciau
I'm soft gray gown of some spTinR-iKe
fabric the full bandeaux of waving auburn
hair parting in an enchanting double
curve over her smooth. white forehead,
starry hazel eyes with long. ray-like lashes,
a dainty, clear-cut, oval face, red. mobile
month. and q faint sea-shell tint in the
eheeks-not at all the ideal schOOlma am
81 have note here" she said 10 that
clear. vibrant voice that never could De
trained TO the conventional monotone. IN
wiling Won all to the sociable at the Metho-
dist church tonight. Mr.. ROwell informs
me that an old classmate OF his Will be
present. and will probably be Induced TO
tell the company something of the mission
sehools in the Sandwich Islands" Miss
Martha. looking at the note as If not quite
sure, besitated littls before pronouncing
the last words, then tore the sheet OF paper
to atoms. you may find Ii Interesting 10
60" she added, with g nod 10 her assistant
TO indicate that she had finished her speech
The assistant struck the bell ana tle
room vas filed with the rustic OF Well
ordered rising. Another stroke ana the
girls began TO move slowly in single tlle
Inward the door, while Miss Martha, seated
In her armchair, gravely received their part
ing salutatons.
At the gate a gentleman, who seemed
about 10 enter. stepped aside, and, leaning
an arm upon the fence, watched with
benevolent smile the outgoing tide OF
youthful loneliness.
The gentleman, the girls decided was OF
very striking appearance by reason OF the
gray hair that framed a face still youthful
in contour and coloring, and from his elerl-
cal coat and tie they at once deduced the
Sandwich Island missionary OF the evening
M n.,R. in roTr lost
ling each other and exchanging whispered
comments, accompanied by many covert
backward glances Waiting until the last
pair was we'll clear of the gate. the stranger
carried out his original intention Of entering.
Miss Martha, still seated in her arm
chair. her face turned towBrd the door and
the fragments of the note held loosely IN
her hand, heard the slow step upon the
cemented walk. but supposing it 10 be that
Of Washington, the cOlored ianitor, she did
not stir.
Miss DabneyP
She looked up.
"OhP' she exclaimed, rising with a
startled look, while the bits Of paper fiut-
tered unheeded to the floor. "Why-it is
a-Mr. Reid!'
YES" he said. drawing a step nearer,
but still hesitating as if not quite sure Of his
welcome.
But by this time she had recovered herself
and was once more the self-possessed per-
son she usually appeared. Stepping down
from the platform she advanced to meet him
with outstretched hand and manner that
struck just the proper balance between
pleasure at meeting long-sbsent friend and
the reserve naturally incident 10 q long
separation.
II am very glad to see you. l didn't
know you were in town. When did you ar
river"
"This morning. I only meant 70 stop
over one train, but ROwell caught me and"
Whether courage or inclination failed he
broke of, leaving the conjunction TO hang
Ike broken link upon the end of his IN
finished speech
He wouldn't let you 60, Of course" said
Miss Martha, with ready tact. "He wrote
me note this morning inviting the school
TO hear you speak tonight, but he Gegle cted
10 mention your name. lie Is exceedingly
absent minded"
You are very little changed" he said.
abruptly. Il should have known you any
where 1t seems strange that We should
stand together again ia this room"
1T does. indeed, especially when we think
how widely separated We have been for so
many years"
Has the distance seemed great? Have
the years seemed l0ng?"
Mont you sit down2" she aseed, turn
ing with suddenly awakened hospitality to-
ward group Of chairs. 1t is pleasanter
here than in the parior | hate the parlOr
- 1t is always haunted by an echO0f patroDiz-
Ing voices explaining the peculiar sensitive
ness OF Mary Ann and the wonderful anti
tGde OF Maria Jane" She threw back her
head with that bright little laugh that had
always been hers.
1T IS wonderful how little changed YOU
are, she said again. II am an old man and
you are still girl"
TO be sure" abe answered merrilv.
marshailng, with a wOman's delight in an
Dearing young to the man she loves, ali the
~ 2 l.,
throwing old Is supreme folly. People
turn their heads gray with solemn study
ana fancy they are growing wise. To
keep light heart is the only wisdom"
Il wish had it," he said. with the old
wistful look 10 his eyes But 1t is hard to
keep lonely heart light"
But the way is not to have a lonely
heart. she replied, rising to draw a flap
ping shade beyond the reach Of the wind.
What could he mean? Had he really not
forgotten, then? Her own heart and head
grew light to giddiness; still she must take
nothing for granted.
And the Sandwich Islands," she said.
resumlng her seat and brayely attacking
the name that had haunted her all day.
"Tell me about them. Life must be very
interesting out there?"
"EeTy"
80 free from coDventionalties and stupid
formalties. | don't suppose Won have
church sociables and set tea-drinkings ont
there now. or that you feel 1t necessary to
know the very latest utterances of the great
est leaders of modern thought? / dara saw
tnat In the absence OF adequate leaders Of
late date one might even venture to do a
little thinking for ones self, eh?"
She rested her elbow on the arm of her
chair, and laid her pointed chin in her pink
palm with distractingly attentive air.
Yes, ne said, feebly, his eyes glued to
her lace, but no appearance Of understand
Ing in his own.
And then the sea all around you. Well.
don't know, either, that | am very fond ~
the sea. The sea is alien and inimical: fnll
Oh Teacnerous things no, decidedly, don't
Ike your soap
"Ah, but you would soon learn to like II -
ne exclaimed, with anxious warmth at ia
.edlIy neautliul; mysterious and awful at
times. IL IS true. but at others joyous beyond
anything you can imagine on land. To see
u sparkling under the morning sun. rocking
ana swayiEg and clapping its hands as if il
had some secret and unfathomable reason
Tor being gladl"
MISS Martha. "At heart am sure il ia pro-
fonndly sad"
Ah! don't say you will not like it." he
saio, leaning forward. and seeming to make
personal matter of it,
she shook her head obdurately
owe 1t an undying grudge. Besides II
must be very lonely"
For one, yes; but if there twoP"
ne leaned nearer; she drew back, half
nsing. put hescaught her hand.
Martha, dear, you didn't marry tn. man
Ii for love Of me?" "O' "a'
well. she said. looking at him with q
st .5,. smile, what do you think about
And you are right sure Won never forao.
me Tor single instant?" avn o'
Quite sure; Aud you will 20 with me
certainly" 'ns why,
he took her face fondly between his
hands, looking down into the starry avee
..Ah, you know don't mean there.
wei, with sigh of deep content. "I