The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-08-06
Laurens Advertiser.
$500 per Year in Advance.
Martha P~onatowsky.

a girl descended the steps of a great
gray church. In her hand she held a
violin case, q roll of music lay folded
within her arm. She paused upon the
lower step TO rsclasp the fastening of
her long black5cloak. The hood which
was attached fell from her head and
disclosed o fair face with beautiful
dark blue eyes. The falling hood dis
arranged her hair, which hung in curl.
ing red-gOld waves about her face.
She stretched forth o white hand and
gathered up the music and violin case.
AS she reached the street she abb
ruptly met the gaze of q stranger; for
an instant they looked into each others
eyes. She cav a man with a frank,
pleasant face, and dark, poiated beard.
"He must be an artist" she thought,
but he looked as if he were success
full" In the Bohemia which she in-
habited she had never seen the suce
cessful artist.
"That girl would mako q fine model
for q young saint; most unusual face"
ne thought. Let me see, st Cecilia,
would 1T be? She carried music. She
looked patrlcian; but she looked poor,
and the tWoS when they come together
are always pathetic. Poor little girl,
80 uncommonly prettyl L wonder if
che has a good mother and a comfort
able supper awaiting her? III wager
she hasn't the latterl"
When he reached his club the girls
face arose above his tobacco smoke.
"She has a face one does not often
see; q face mo- easily forgotten; it will
reappear, and a fellow catches himself
building castles and dreaming dreams.
Tomorrow is Easter and they will cele-
brate at st. Johns church. L saw her
coming down the steps carrying a vio-
lin; che 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 closed eyes; the girls head
Immediately arose-with brow, deep
blue eyes, red-gold halr wreathed in
billowy tobacco smoke, which assembled
In clouds laden with dreams and il
Illuminated by the incandescent lights
When Martha reached home sht
climbed three flights of rickety stairs
thanked by unsightly, Wondering
broken plaster. Ragged, th~in.facet
children, and untidy, hollow-eyet
women peered from crowded doorways
More than n hopeful urchin pulle,
her cloak and demanded a penny
This penalty she was required to pa,
for having bestowed a small offering
upon a sick child the day before
Martha opened the door of q room
near the say. This place was bare
with scant, poverty-stricken baroness
and &c clean that the baroness wa
more plainly apparent. A small win
dow looked out among the clouds. 70
could see the steeple of st. John
church and the great city, breathing
t%hrobbing, grinding below, ever burst
ing INTO a great whistle or roar. L
the window an Easter lily raised ii
pure petals in search of the sun.
sweet-faced, delicate woman had pre-
pared tea. Martha wound her arm
around her mothers neck and klsse
her. "Dear mother, Herr Nose
praises me; he says it Is wonderful.
am to play tomorrow at the mornin
service, and Herr Moser does not fea
for me-"
Her mother kissed the fair chez
and made the girl drink tea and eat
thin bread, which lay before her.
81 have seen my UNCLE" said tn
mother. "It may be most u~nfortur
ate that we came to this city,"
The girl set her tea cup down an
turned with inquiring eyes to he
mother, who had arisen TO pace tn
floor, with growing excitement.
al heard today that he is a prom
nent merchant here. L nave told 20
before. Martha, how 1 angered M
Uncle Gerald by marrying Martin Por
atowsky, the poor Polish music master
/ once wrote to ask my uncle's pardon
he had married the beautiful Mrs. Ma
colin and quite forgot me In his ne,
happiness. / never received an an
swer., Afterward 1 heard that he ha
moved away, taking his wife and step
son, leaving no message for me.
loved HIM dearly; he has been bot
father n mother to me. MY prid
was hurt, and in all of my wandering
i have made nc effort to find him.
The poor woman's gaze strayed upwar,
above the Easter lily into the cold
grey clouds of early spring. "H
might forgive me now" she whispered
Martin lie dead"
Martha kissed away the tears tina
fell from her mothers eyes. Mother
be happy. i will earn enough for u
both. Herr Moser says that ate
tomorrow people will ask me to teacl
their daughters music. You SHOULD
have seen the way he looked at me, ant
said, Bravo, little grip" :.
Martha P~onatowsky sighed and said
1t is we'll that Herr Moser is married
and grey.headed."
"And bald and fat and ugly,'
laughed her daughter. at is vel
also that he is good and charitable
No, mother, dear, fate will not wreal
further vengeance upon us. You were
happy with my father, the poor music
master, but yon fear poverty for me,
and hope that riches will find us some
day and bear me away"
She placed the music open upon the
table, gently took the violin from the
box. Dear father, he could do little
for me, but Herr Moser says he gave
me his talent, and he bequeathed me
his Cremona; together, we will awaken
people, mother" She drew the bow
slowly across the strings, tenderly
screwed the key of the violin, then
broke softly into the pure-toned Easter
music. Softly il assembled until il
~ onnr.nl 90 .sewonfklz ..~.l1x.s---EFa,