The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-10-23
"You've got YOUR new house most done

h emf you, John 2" said Martha Mills to
her brother as they sat together in the twi
light.
Eyes, Garthy, guess we shall be in it
well perhaps by Thanksgiving
) o|" no r"olv Her head drop-
ped over her knitting. Presently she got
up and poked the fire, keeping hold of the
big black cat that lay purring in her lap,
then resumed her work, which she did
mechanically, not requiring much light
save when she dropped a stitch,
''Say, Marthy, you never felt quite right
about my building new house did you,
now? You might as we'll own it, because
there's no need of misunderstanding at our
time OF life. You're set on living here as
you live anywhere"
John, what made you build a new
house anyway? Wasn't this one large
enough for us two? You amt thinking of
getting married again, are you?"
"What put that idea into your head
Marty"
g don't know anything about that bat
the idea came near two months ago, and it
has come o stay seems, though, for | can't
get rid OF it,
"Wel, now," said John Mills, settling
himself down more firmly into his chair,
'Gou Il low that l've been a widower
good respectable length of time Four
teen years ago sally went away and left
me- j set a good deal of store by Sally,
and she was one Of the best wives to me
for ten years.
But amt so very old Marthy only 50
"Well 20 on, John, for mercys sake
You needn't stop to tell me your age;
knew it before you did. She must be a
proud crttur, if this house amt good
enough for her. | was looking at it this
afternoon, as | came along up the road
from Maria Saunders and thinking how
kind Of picturesque it was, with the setting
sun shining on the big chimneys and long
slantng roof all covered with woodbine
And then the old trees in the orchard, all
red with fruit, and then nice ample barn
and then corn field behind. tell you it's
enou h sight prettier than your place across
the road, with the house SO straight and
stately. You haven't got brick oven
eisLer. Just think Of this oven, of the
bread it has baked and the rye and injun
buildings, not to mention the beans and
the turkeys and ducks and chickens"
"Who's taking up the time now,
Ntaltny r.
That so, John. | won't say any
more"
"Well. it's Maria Saunders. You always
like TT, didn't you?"
'For the Land $ sake! | don't know
why didn't think Of her. She's been I'M
common obliging to me lately, giving me
some of her best eggs to make custards
WITH oaus4 the whites whip up so crisp
and frothy." Yes, suppose l liked her
well enough; it might have been worse"
Her heart smote her the next moment
The last clause did not sound kind, and it
had slipped out without a deliberate inten-
ton Ael part But her brother was not
a sensitive person.
He had, moreover, expected some thing
of direct opposition to his plans and this
extremely mild protest slid off the surface
Of his mental consciousness without stir
ring fiber. Martha Mills was four years
older than her brother. She had lived with
him since the dark winter day when the
meek quiet figure that had moved about
the house. an angel of good works, had
been laid in the village churchyard. The
SHOWS of God fell softly all that night, and
next morning no one could have found her
resting place.
Martina had fondly hoped that her
brother would marry again, but having by
nature philosophical spirit, she accepted
+ T.. ssh serenity AMI ., u e.rr'
optimism. II she bad read her Browning,
she wC2.3 most likely have taken for hi
CHIEF Motto:
Gods in his heaven.
Alps right with the world