The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-08-03

haven't time 10 listen. I've too much IL
think about" She started toward the
door and then ttithed and held ont her
hand.
"I'u take all my words back" she said.
"'if only some one will say-say be is sor-
ry-that | am going
No one spoke. Her sister turned her
back violently. Her bother-in- Law wore
u face Of stone. The four boys. big and
little. feigned 10 be occupied with other
things. and the girls stared and made
no reply, but at the last second David.
the youngest boy. who was y years old
ran to her and caught her hand.
Cant l come to you sometimes
after you go away. Aunt Martha:" he
said. There were tears in his eyes The
lonely woman snatched him to her hun
grily for q moment.
II think he has lifted my curse from
your roof" she said and went out. The
Witherspoons were still incrednlous. But
when they heard the front door slam they
ran TO the window to look out. Sure
enough. Aunt Marth9 was walking down
the path brarely. but With her hapdker-
chief at her eyes. ODc of the girls was
seat up TO her aunt's room, but it was
found that Of her poor belongings none
had been taken from its place. Nor did
she ever send for them.
The town was all agog over the activity
OF Martha Sessions. the hciress. Within
"a hours she Had purchased q village
lot. much bpautiiied by trees which had
years before been planted about the site
of Il house since burned. She contract
ed for the building of n tiny home and
herself directed the plans, She appeared
dressed in simple but fine garments. and
she wore an air Of amiable distinction.
1t was the same air she had always had
except that her liberated spirit looked
out of her eyes. People enjoyed the ro-
nance Of it all, and they enjoyed Miss
Martha. whom they discovered to be
n singularly well informed woman and
lacy Of excellent taste. She was invited
to tea at the most exclusive houses IL
town. She moved at last in the society
to which she had been born. People Of
fered to assist her in the buying of pic
lures and china and linen.
And at the end of three months she
was settled in her own home. She sat be-.
fore her own fire. looked about ut book
lined walls, smiled ut the pictures for
which she had always longed ana by
touching the little bell at her hand could
summon her white capped maid. who w:I<
delighted to serve her. She could look
with happy eyes at her own gold band.
ed china and have the pleasure once Il
week Of polishin. her dainty silver and
glass. She was full of domestic enthu-
siasm and as important as a child with
a new toy. She had her charities. and
she was already recognized rs an ardent
member of the church.
Moreover, there came the hour of the
perfect climay-she had the rector to tea
1t was n wonderful occasion. Mrs. Deli
Mrs. Wynant-he was the principal of
the high school-nnd young Caroline Ar
mold. the artist. and the Rev. Mr. Ellison
of course. Mt Martha's right hand. What
an hour! How the gold bands on the
china shone. How the glass sparkled.
How snowy was the linen. How deli
cate We're the pinks.
But what We're these glories to Miss
Martha herself In her gray silk gown
with the honiton lace and the garnet
brooch. with her gray hair crimped aud
her hands decorated with two modest
diamonds? What II lady, What u mis-
uess OF 4 fine occasion. Really it was a
great hour. But it may no rint the thing
which nIade her sapItr>1. rvon lnRliy
talan the ,nSes.dse Of 3D. Rfs. Mr. Ell
ssR. was If Hsr that close beside hen h
his Sunday s<.ss. With smile ~ aot,teat-
went on lis face. sat David Wrhs Espoon.
Dividing his delighted elances between His
surprisingly Beautiful aunt and the
ounce preserves.-Chicago Tribune.