The record-union., 1897-08-25
THE OLD HOME.

kGLIlST III the twilight. I -, Nal NY
I guess We shall be in it-well, perhaps
by Thanksgiving"
Martha made no reply. Her mead
dropped over her knitting Presently
she got UP and poked the fire, keeping
fast 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 a new house,
did you, now? You might as we'll own
it, because there's no need of misunder-
standings at our time of life You're
sot on living here, as long as you
live anywhere"
John, what made you build new
house. anyway? Wasn't this one large
enough for us two? You are thinking
Of getting married again, are YEP
What put that idea into your head,
Marthy2"
L don't know anything about that
but the idea came, near two months
ago, and it has come to stay. seems
though, for I can't get rid Of IL
We'll, now said John Mills, settling
himself down more firmly into his char,
I'll tell you jest how il IS You'll allow
that I've been a widower a good re-
spectacle length of time. Fourteen
years ago Sally went away and left
me. I 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 81
We'll, go on, John, for mercy's
sake: you needn't stop to tell me your
must be a proud critter if this house
amt good enough for her. l was look
ing at it this afternoon. as 1 came
along up the road from Maria Saunders
and thinking how kind o picturesque
il was. with the setting sun shining
On the big chimneys, and long. slant
ing roof all covered with woodbine. And
then the odd trees in the orchard, all
red with fruit. and the nice, ample
barn and the cornfield behind. tell
you. it's enough sight prettier than your
place across the road, with the house
so straight and stately. You haven't
got brick oven. either. Just think of
this oven. of the bread it HIS baked,
and the rye and injun buildings. not to
mention the beans, and the turkeys and
ducks and chickens
thy?"
That's so. John; won't say any
more"
Wen. it's Maria Saunders-you al
ways liked her. didn't you?"
For the lands sake! I don't know
why I didn't think of her. She's been
uncommon obiging to me lately
giving me some of her best eggs to
make custards with, cause the whites
whip up so crisp and frothy. Yes.
suppose I 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 deliberate intention
on her part. But her brother was not
a sensitive person.
He had. moreover, expected something
of direct opposition to his plans, and
this extremely mild protest slid off the
surface of his mental consciousness
without stirring a 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 Will and good works, had
been laid in the village churchyard.
Bhe SHOWS of God fell softly all that
night. and next morning no one could
have found her resting place,
Martha had fondly hoped that her
brother would not marry again, but,
having by nature philosophical spirit,
she accepted the inevitable with Sc
renity and a reverent optimism. II
she had read her Browning she would
most likely have taken for her chief
motto:
Gods in His heaven,
AIS right with the world.
''Marthy," said John Mills one even
ing. II always wondered you never
married Milo Searle. 1 thought one
spell you was engaged to him, sure.
ITO tell the truth, John. I was, al
most. but somehow. you kind o picked
on him and made sport of him. So l
began 10 think perhaps he wasn't worth
having. after an
You ought to have had a mind OF
your own: why, bless your heart, l new
CT meant anything, only just to plague
YOU a little They say he's made quite
a pile of money out West. and is COM
ing back to spend his days here You
didn't know it, did you, Marthy?'
Yes. said Martha, with little ire
NOR in her voice. Maria Saunders told
me yesterday. He's going to marry
Nancy Neal"
What. that weakened old maid? |
don't believe any such thing"
7 guess it's so" answered Martha,
in a resigned tone; Nancy told her,
herself"
The house was not finished at
Thanksgiving time, but the second week
in December found the brother and sis
ter in their new abode and very nearly
settled for Martha had worked hard
night and day to get everything in
order. so that her brother and Maria
Saunders could be married on Christ
mas Day at noon. Maria insisted upon
If She liked Martha and knew she
could have pretty much her own way
without any trouble
The day before Christmas was mild
and sunny. Martha had made up her
mind TO have one good visit all by her
self in the old house. The sitting
room had not been touched; II was the
only room that looked like home. After
dinner she went in, made good hre
in the large, old fireplace, and seated
herself with her knitting. How pleas
ant and cosy it seemed, ana no" sue
dreaded more and more 10 leave t.
Il don't see how my mind Is ever soiiis
to fit into those large high rooms 50
that If viii work clear as IT mas uoiie
here 7 shall be all confused ana
floundered. know I shall. and they Il
say Tn cranky and disappointed ABOUT
Johns getting married again.
How quantity the blue spiral names