Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-02

She stepped toricurd to read her essay
erty, by others as sign of open insub-
ordination against the white dress rule.
Graduation day dawned bright and
clear. The church was crowded. The
expected governor arrived in excellent
season, bringing with him visiting
senator, and everything seemed har-
monious with the exception of one
rosy looking dress among half dozen
white ones.
The exercises passed Off with what
might be termed "great eclat." The
young ladies' were graceful and win
ming; their parts well prepared; their
enunciation clear and distinct. The
young gentlemen We're less awkward
than usual under such circumstances.
The pink dress was SO modernized that
it could not be called conspicuous; still
saw the consciousness OF its vivid
roses stamped on the flushed cheeks of
its wearer when she stepped forward
TO read her essay.
1t was very unambitious effort,
simply prose version Of the story of
Evangeline. Yet saw with surprise
that Senator Borden, scholar as well
as politician, gave the short reading
the most profound and marked atten-
ton.
| After the exercises the eminent visit
ors held an informal reception. shak-
ing hands with every one and good
naturedly giving their autographs to
nll petitioners. Dolly, however. took no
part in this bit of impromptu festivity,
but, anxious to divest herself of her
obnoxious finery. hurried at once from
| the church.
When the crowd had nearly dis
lpersed, Senator Borden surprised me
| by asking. with an expression of real
interest, for the young lady in pink.
told him her name and volunteered the
information that she had gone directly
home
II am sorry" said he. 81 wanted to
meet her. Her face, her voice, her ges-
lures, all seemed wonderfully famil-
lar. l cannot place the resemblance.
but it moved me strangely. Her name
tells me nothing, and yet her face, her
dress. some trick of voice or manner.
took me back half century. All"
with n sudden start. II have It now.
1t was my sister she recalled. She
wore Just such n rosy gown the las
time ever saw her. Poor Marty! Par
don me. Miss Deacon, but do you know
|anything Of her family history? The
resemblance may be purely accidental,
but it interests me-"
Something of his interest had COM
municated itself to me. with his volun.
|tary exclam ion of Poor Martyr the
girl who wore Just such rosy gown
the last time lie ever saw her.
"Mr. Borden" said eagerly. might
1t not have been the noticeable dress
instead of the girls personality that
impressed you? Forty years ago 1t be-
longed to Martha Paget; was, in fact,
her wedding gown"
Martha Paget" cried he. THAT was
my sisters name She was older than
and very beautiful, but she disobeyed
my father. He never forgave her. and
while he lived never heard her name
mentioned. Since his death have
searched for her long and unavailing-
ly."
II think your search is ended" said
l. land that you Will find her living
with Mrs. Kempton in this village"
us 1t far from here? Would you
show me the way?" questioned he ea-
gerly, and the next moment we were
hurrying down the broad elm shaded
street.
AS we neared the Exemption cottage
saw Mrs. Paget sitting on the tiny vine
wreathed piazza. Her soft white hair
shone in the sunlight. her pain dis
torted hands lay idly on her lap. her
cotton gown and stialy starched apron
were clean and speckless, but her face.
sorrow scanned and time defaced, bore
no trace of bloom or beauty.
"And yet" said my companion seem
ing to divine my thoughts. ut is Marty
herself, the very image of our mother
us l saw her last" He went swiftly
up the little gruveled path. his face
growing vlslbly puler us he walked.
Just in front of her he stopped. and
for moments space no word passed
between them. Then the woman nrose,
her worn face working, her faded eyes
Frightening. her hands appeallngly ex-
tended.
Father" she cried, father, forgive
mew
"Father died years ago." answered
Senator Borden gently. land ever since
have been searching for you. my sis.
ter"
'Bennie! Bonnie" she screamed,
dinging herself toward him Tho scene
that followed was too sacred for stran-
ger eyes to look upon. and SO quietly
withdrew, going back to my delayed
duties.
That afternoon I was "a parsonage"
in the village. Over and over again
told the story. fairly revealing in the
first bit of romance that had ever stir.
red the monotony of my quiet life.
or course there were few Ill ma
tured souls who declared that Mrs.
Kempton had known all along which
side her bread was buttered on, but as
this idea seemed to be confined eXclu-
sively to those who had before times
pronounced her quixotic and IMPROVE
dent 1t did not greatly affect public
sentiment.
Senator Borden made immediate ar
rangements to remove his sister to his
own homei but she. poor soul, in alb
ject fear of her august sister-in-law,
chung to the dear second cousin who
had SO frightened the years of her adj
versity.
\ A cOmDrnmiSa Wns Mt Inst afeanfod.