Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-15

her friends bedroom
| II wish you could see what
charming boudoir Dorthy has The
bedstead is brass, and it glitters like
gold. Overhead hangs canopy of
pale blue and white, fringed with
ribbons. / feel like princess Sleep
ing on royal couch. The floor is
| covered with soft rugs. There are
I oceans of cushions everywhere. /
never saw such beautiful ROOM"
When Evelina read the alluring
paragraph, her heart was filled with
a sudden longing. She believed that
Martha would surely cherish her
home, in spite of its limitations, if
the room where she slept could be
| made a little less unlike that city
boudoir.
Now Evelina Dodd had an ener-
getic mind and hands. The follow
ing noon she gently preached the
subject of her meditations to her
Uncle Ephraim and his wife.
~ might kind of chirk it up, and
give it sort of stylish look" she
remarked, blushing.
Ephraim Dodd pondered some
time before he answered:
"Tain't that I don't think she'll
like us the way we are as well as
ever" he said, awkwardly. "But
it's in case she shouldn't; in that
case it might be wiser to fix things
up little fancier, and if you're
mind to do it Eveleny, I'll help
YOU"
Mrs. Dodd had strong faith in
Martha, yet possibilities doomed dis
agreeably as she thought of her hus-
bands words, and she secretly wor-
ried in the midst Of the sewing and
planning which began almost imme-
diately.
IT shouldn't care bout the house
or ourselves" she confided to Eph-
| rain, $50 much as I would if Marthy
happened to get to settin' herself up
above Eveleny. I couldn't see Eve
leny's feelin's hurt"
Mr.. Dodd kept his thoughts to
himself as he joined in the efforts
which were gradually Transforming
| one of the old fashioned sleeping
rooms above stairs.
Remarkable changes, indeed, were
being made. 1t was well that Eve.
lima possessed no knowledge of the
havoc worked by her loving zeal.
For the massive old.fashioned
furniture of Martha's room could
not be adapted we'll to modern taste
in decoration. The plain mahogany
bed-stead was out of keeping with a
fantastic spider shaped object which
Ephraim Dodd manufactured in the
woodshed, and awkwardly fastened
into place above the bed.
He stood on step-ladder to do
this, while Evelina and her aunt
held the hammer and nails crying,
ooh, do be careful" or, "Ephraim
Dodd, you'll certainly break your
neck |"
The poor room with its furniture
of another era, really looked abused,
but Martha Dodd's relatives glowed
with satisfaction over their efforts.
They were obliged to make their
purchases at a country store whose
supplies were not abundant, yet in
the end they felt that their labors
were repaid.
After the canopy's frame had been
draped with blue denim and white
mosquito netting, Mrs. Dodd and
Evelina stood and admired it from
afar. They believed that Martha
would be pleased.
Martha Dodd came back to Lum-
berton in midsummer, time which
always found the place full of YER
dant beauty. She was carried to the
farm in shining buggy, recently
purchased.
Her Aunt Susan and Evalina stood
smiling in the yard, and shove red
greetings upon her, before Ephraim
could help her out of the carriage.
Afterward, they sent her upstairs
alone, in order to surprise her more
completely.
Martha closed the the door and re-
manned in the room for some time.
She sat down on a sofa, and stared
| about her in bewildered manner.
When she descended to the ex-
pectant group in the sitting room
her cheeks were flushed and she was
smiling.
"Whoever thought to do it p she
asked; "who spoke of it first ?"
"Eveliny," Ephraim answered,red
| with pleasure.
Sab, twas lovely of you ALL"
Martha said, aud she went over to
Evelina and put her arms around
her.
allow did You manage it?" she
questioned again. Who made the
canopy ~
"Uncle Ephraim," replied the de-
lighted child; and everyone laughed
as Martha embraced her uncle affec-
tionately. He tried to get away but
she caught him and chung to him.
Her face was radiant.
L II Ia II. !