The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-03-31

what VIII CaieD 90 Wnen ne iiiluS 'iic
little note by,his plate? shensurmufed
10 herself. ''Gone to.the city" ard her
name was all she had written. "Wlll
he be so vexed that he Will rot meet
uae-at the station when the evening
train arrives?" But she had not told
him when she was coming back; yet he
must know that she would not stay in
the city ever night. Somehow, the more
she thought about it the less attractive
the city, with it's flower show, seemed.
By the time the train reached the
depot sherwas SO heartily sick of hav-
ing her freedom that had there been an
opportunity for her to return home at
once she would have done so.
Following the crowd, she entered the
large building where the flowers were
exhibited. At first the beauty and
fragrance of the wonderful RANTS and
blossoms overpowered IT. The
feathcry chrysanthemums, ti.e eNquis-
tie orchids, magnificent roses and
snowy lilies-how beautiful they all
were! How much more she would
have enjoyed tiff Caleb had been with
her! The ladies, SO finely dressed, with
their gallant attendants, and the little
children in their gay attire, seemed
even TO belong with the flowers.
Tired and weary at last with what
was, for her, unusual excitement.
Martha was awestruck to hear, as she
left the building, the clocks striking the
hour Of FIVE!
'What shall / do?" thought Martha,
"only IS minutes before the train leaves,
and 1 shall not be able to get to the
depot if I walk, and there is no room i'll
the street cars, not even for 'One more!'
l will call cab and perhaps, if the
driver hurries, may be there in time ,
But in spite Of all her efforts, the
train was leaving as she came in sight
of the depot.
Tears of remorse and veXation filled
her eyes, and for few moments she
was SO disappointed that everything
even the buildings and the people in
the streets-seemed in whirl; but as
her tired nerves recovered from the
shock, she began to realize that some
thing must be done, as it was already
growing late.
Going to the telegraph Office, she
sent q message to her husband telling
him she had missed the train and in
tended to walk home. She was very
familiar with the way, and it was the
time for the full moon; still she was
rather timid about going alone, but
she preferred that alternative to re-
naming in the city at strange hotel
She had gone about mile on her jour-
ney when she was overioyed to hear a
well-llnown voice say to her: "Mrs.
Greene! is it possible that you are walk
ing alone? Where is Caleb? He's not
sick, hope! Jump into my wagon and
| will see you safe at your door,
AS Mr.. Joseph Bigelow offered his
hand to help her, she could have sunk
at his feet from fatigue and anxiety;
thanking him, she told him she had
missed the train and had thought the
only way for her to get home was TO
walk
They say the posie show is a great
thing" said Farmer Bigelow; "been to
see it? 1 heard Caleb saying at the
post Office. last night, as to how he was
a~hurryin' with his work so as to take
you there tomorrow to celebrate some
thin-I didn't catch on just what-h!.t
I s'pose he changed his mind and lei
you go to-day"
Tomorrow, did you say?" asked
Martha, very family.
Eyes, I'm sure he said it was Thurs
day he spoke of, for he told Tom O'Brien
he would let him have day off, as It
himself was going to take a holiday"
Every word the farmer spoke seemed
like an arrow piercing her heart. What
was tomorrow but her birthday! and
while she had been thinking of Caleb
us being thoughtless Of her, he had been
planning a surprise for her. AS she
reviewed her ''day of liberty" how she
hated herself for the utter foolishness
and selfshness that she had shown
How worried and miserable she had
made her husband! Would they never
reach home that she might tell him she
wanted no greater pleasure than to
work and care for him?
After vainly trying to interest Martha
in conversation, Joseph Bigelow gave
up the attempt, thinking she must be
asleep. The last two miles seemed
endless, and when Martha saw the lights
III the village she begged Mr.. Bigelow to
set her down at the foot of the lane
leading to her house, as she was moi
afraid and it would take longer to &c
by the road. She thanked him again
for his kindness, jumped from the
wagon, leaving him to muse on "the
pecuiiarities of most women"
Martha found the entry door open
and her husband bringing robes and
shawls to put in the buggy, as the night
was chilly after the sun had gone
down. "Oh, Caleb!" she cried, and
sobbing as though her heart would
break, she threw herself into his arms
and told him her story.
'sHow could you be so thoughtless
| DEAR" was what he said. "You made
me very anxious, as you must know
it was unsafe and venturesome for you
to undertake the lonely walk home
| after nightfall. Thanks to Farmer
Bigelow, you have reached home safely
| | should have started at once to meet
you after the message came, but ono
OF the horses had to be shod and so ]
must watt
Martha will not soon forgive herself
Tor causing her good husband so much
trouble, but she wisely thinks thai
only by her deeds can she convince him
that she has no more any longing fol-
q day OF liberty Good Housekeep-
ing.