The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-30
MARTHA.
An Easter Story.

BY ELIZABETH K. HARRINGTON.
 Copyright. 1902. ny Daily Story Pub. co.)
 A girl descended the steps of a great gray church. In her hapd she Sheld a violin case; a roll .of music lay folded within her arm. She paused upon the lower step to reclasp the fastening of her long black cloak. The hood which was attached fell from her head and disclosed a fair face with beautiful dark blue eyes. The falling hood disarranged her hair. which hung in curling red-g2ld waves about her face. She stretched> forth a white hand and gathered up the music and violin case.
 As she reached the street she abruptly met the gaze of stranger; for an instant they looked into each others eyes. She and dark. pointed beard.
 He must be an artist she thought but he looked as if he were successful" " In the Bohemia which she inhabited she had never seen the successful artist"
 That girl would make fine model for young saint; most unusual face" he thought Let me see. St. Cecilia would it be? She carried music. She look- ed patriciap; but she looked poor, and the two when they come together are al- ways pathetic. Poor little girl. so uncom- monly pretty. I wonder If she has good mother and a comfortable supper awaiting her? I'll wager she hasn't the latter!" When he reached his club the girls face arose above his tobacco smoke She has face that one does not often see; appear, and a fellow catches himself building aircastles and dreaming dreams. Tomorrow is Easter, and they will cele- brate at St. Johns Church. I saw her | she will be likely to play; there will be no harm in hearing her. and the old folks will be pleased to have me go to church with them."
 He lay back in his comfortable chair with half closa ed eyes, the girls head inn mediatelv arose-wth brow. deep blue eyes. red-gold hair wreathed in billowy tobacco smoke, which asccnded in clouds laden with dreams and illuminated by the incandescent lights. When Martha reached home she climb- ed three flights of rickety stairs. fanked by unsightly, moulderins, broken plaster. Ragged, thin-faced children and untidy: hollow-eyed women peered from crowded doorways More than one hopeful urchin
 pulled her cloak and demanded penny. This penalty she was required to pay for having bestowed a small offertng upon a sick child the day before. Martha opened the door of a room near the sky. The place was bare. with scant. poverty stricken baroness, and so clean that the baroness was more plainly apparent A | small window looked out among the clouds. You could see the steeple of St. Johns Church. and the great city, breath ing. throbbing. grinding below. ever burst ing into great whistle or roar, In the | window an Easter lily raised its pure petals in search. of the sun
 A sweet-faced. delicate woman had pre- pared tea Martha wound her arms around her mothers neck and kissed her.
 Dear mother. Herr Moser praised me-; says it is wonderful. am to play to- morrow at the morning service, and Herr Moser does not fear for me"
 Her mother kissed the fair cheek. and made the girl drink tea and eat the thin bread which lay before her.
 q have seen my uncle" said the moth- er 'It may be most fortunate that we came to this city"
 The girl set her tea cup down and turned with lnquiring eyes to her mother, who had arisen to pace the floor, with growing excitement.
 "I heard today that he is a prominent merchant here. I have told you before: Martha. how I angered my uncle Gerald by marrying Martin Ponatowsky, the poor Polish music master. I wrote once to ask my uncle's pardon: he had mar ried the beautiful Mrs. Malcom and quite forgot me in his new happiness Inever received an answer. Afterward l heard that he had moved away. taking his wife and stepson. leaving no message Tor me. loved him dearly; he had been both fath- CT and mother to me. My pride was hurt and in all of my wanderings l have made no effort to find him." The poor woman's gaze strayed upward above the Easter lily into the cold. grey clouds Of early spring He might forgive me now" she whispered. Martin is dead"
 Martha kissed away the tears that fen from her mothers eyes. Mother, be happy I will earn enough for Us both. Herr Moser says that after tomorrow peo- pie will six me to teach their daughters music You should have seen the way he looked at me, and said, Bravo, little girl" "
 Martha Ponatowsky sighed and said: 'It is well that Herr Moser is married and grey-he sded.'
 And bald and fat and ugly" laughed her daughter ''It Is cell also that he Is good and charitable. No. mother dear, fate shall not wreak further vengeance upon us You were happy with my fath- CT. the poor music master. but you fear poverty for me and hope that riches will find us some day and bear me away.