The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-30
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY
una.y. story MARTHA rknston

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 violin. then broke softly into the pure toned Easter music. Softly 1t ascended until it seemed to pierce the mouldering ceiling, ascending through the misty gloom of the city twilight; ever upward until 1t rang triumphantly beside the fair evening star which shone upon an Easter lily.
 The next morning the oolls rang out fnom St. iohns Chprsn ssa in sTses Th glad church was filled with worshipers, who came attired in rich costumes, commem- orative of the joyous time. A gray light fell through the forty stained windows the words: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death. We shall be able also in the likeness of His resurrection. The choir sang a grand. tri. umphant chorus; then girl arose. and
 her slender fingers drew a bow swiftly across the strings of violin. young man turned his kindly hazel eyes toward the organ loft. and beheld the slender
 figure clad in black; her ruddy golden hair curled about her brow: upon her
 breast was pinned white lily.
 Softly the violin mourned Chrtsts sui ferings in the garden. the betrayal the doom, the death, the universal sorrow: then came :he pure, expectant note of hope.
 People turned with breathless interest toward the organ loft. and saw gentle youthful face bending slightly forward with blue eyes turned steadily upward A clear sunbeam breaking from beneath | the gray clouds and rising caty mists | quivered through the stained mulitoned | windows, full upon the girls golden head. | tinged the petals of the lily upon her | bosom, then burst into flood of sun | shine from chancel to organ loft; The | clear. victorious music arose, He Has | Risen."
 The congregation arose in all the per- | vading love and renewed happiness, which l seemed to descend from Heaven to earth. | The music rang In sweet harmony. then | died in a triumphant note of Joy anc iove Martha descended dim stairway which | led from the organ loft. She carried her violin; the black hood drawn close could not conceal the rich haar which shone beneath. Three people stood at the bot | tom of the stair: kindly-facsd. srey- | haired old gentleman who was duiy stamped with the mark of prosperity; 8 lady, erect, richly dressed. with hair drawn a la pompadour, stood proudly at his side. Beyond was the man with the dark. hazel eyes and pointed beard. Tear5 stood within the old gentle mans eyes: genuine feeling shone upon his kind, high bred face; his hands were extended. "Marthaw he cried-"Martha Gerald!' Martha Ponatowsky," said the girl, in her modest musical tones.
 "Of course." he cried, you are her
 daughter can scarcely believe ,S you yaus ars mother" His hands closed tightly upon
 Marthas. "Take me to your mother. he repeated. ,.
 f The lady with the pompadour bowed over the hand that the girl held out to her When the young man came fofwaru she said, This is my son. Herbert Nal con-"
 Martha was looking timidly from one to the other. when the old gentleman cried'
 Your aunt and cousin os
 Martha hardly knew !t how tna It napsf a,,psh,ne: the snow was fast disappearing anu around them was the sweet. warm breath of spring. They rode away in carrlsse drawn by horses that tossed thelr heaus s's With impatient speed. The carnage stopped at a stately mansion; the lapy and her son alighted with kind goco bye. and the oli gentleman g saio as"''''
 The begging children reaped siiVer sh-wer and followed him until doer flew cben. when a glad cry or oncl.. 1I,, was heard. and the old gentleman thrsM his arms around his niece's neck anu sobbed. s ., ,,,.o,d gracious pres snce bent her head ana saio, Arthur. forgive me. l kirow you os, while YOU are 60 happy. letter cStHg from Martha soon after her marriage; ] w5.s iealrus. The servant placed the ret teT in your abserces upon the mantei m our library It fell behind through u,',rou, a perture in the wall-it lies there now" .,., s;,r,e,s-
 His lips trembled in surprised dispieatsa pet,.e ure Then he said, Judith l forgive Martha and her mother came to the bs.utifuI house. It was ike falry dream to the girl; made lovely with rle- lures and rich objects of art Her mo,ar innar er's and uncIe's faces showed an lniIe' noace which had been absent for years. Mart Martha stood before them. the violin 1rn snoke "tp her toach. Malcom's eyes were @ fastened upon the exquisite ace. .i, s1 'th the a picture he had seen; he could recaiA 'Ne name. '"The Dawn of Love. n, CT
 When no one was listening ne saiu' am glad found you. Martha.