The Colfax chronicle., 1904-07-23
MARTHA
lcopynght, isO4, by Daily story Pub. Co.,
By
ELLA ESSEX DON Lazy

ried. You could "a had your pick and
choice of any round here. You aim;
heard nothin' from him fur long time
have you?"
Martha shYank from her mothers
sharp words. for they were but echoes
of her own thoughts. She bent lower
over her work, and rreterded to be busy
with a refractory thread while she an
swered in low, constrained voice: mo.
mother"
Il thought 1t would be go, and told
you SO. He didn't want no common
country girl like you. He wants girl
that don't spoil her pretty hands with
work. You throwed away a good
chance when you refused Lem Willis;
he's got good farm, and would make
any gal a good husband. Now, that
Craig feller-'
Mother, rnother," cried Martha in
sharp, panied tones, "can't you find
something more interesting to talk
about? Mr. Craig's movements cannot
possibly interest us; we live in one world
and he In another. AS for Lem Willis
well, he is good enough, in his way,
and II 1t will please you to know 1t, the
chance is not entirely lost, and prom
ised to think it over"
All the afternoon while Martha sat
plying her needle, her thoughts had been
busy with this subject.
She left the window and drawing a
chair close to the fire, sat gazing into
the glowing embers The freight rose
and fell fitfully while her thoughts
strayed far back into the shadowy
past. She thought of the time when she
had come to Seaview to teach the vii
lage school a small red schoolhouse by
the roadside-and the pupils came for
distance of two miles and more.
The day had been sultry, and after
dfsmissing the noisy urchins, she had
sought shady brook and stopped over
to bathe her heated brow She recalled
the timely arrival of tall, handsome
stranger just as she was making fu- |
tile attempt to rescue her sun hat as it |
foated away on the current of the
stream.
That was their first acquaintance. |
Mortimer Craig spent three months at |
Seaview. Every morning Martha awoke |
with the happy thought that to-day she
would see him. speak to him and gaze
into his glorious dark eyes. Never be-
fore had the flowers seemed so beauti-
full, the trees SO green, and the songs of |
the birds so sweet. The song in her heart
filled the world with melody.
Then one evening. when the sunset
was nearly over, ahd the air was sweet
with the scent of flowers and shrubs. I
they left their boat down the river that
they might walk back along a shaded
path. He had paused before her, taking
both her hands in his. and told her of
his love. She had lain in his arms while
she shyly confessed her love for him.
Then he went away.
Not until year had passed ard the
first frost of October had again fired
the wood with gorgeous spIendor of de-
cay, did Martha lose hope-of ever seeing
her truant lover, and her heart grew
sick with hope deferred. |
''Well?"
The front door had just closed on Lem
Willis and Martha turned to face her
mother who had just entered from the
Kitchen.
"You didn't send him away again did
vou?"
NO, mother. ! told him I would marry
him whenever he was ready, and hate
myself for it. don't love him and
lever will Oh, hate myself hate
him, and | hate the world-everything.
Marthy. Marthy-wh-" Half the
asst word was lost in the bang of the
ioor which, after hastily snatchine a
wrap from the rack, Martha had
slammed behind her. leaving her mother
n stupefied wonder.
Martha sped along the street. not car
ng whither-only TO be alone-alone
With her miserable thoughts. I
Martial" They stood facing each
'ther In the uncertain twilight. Martha
ound her eyes riveted on the stranger. !
ct no sound escaped her pale lips. AL
host, conjured by her disordered mind I
TODD before her. and fright sealed her
ips. Then as she realized 1t was no
host, but flesh and blood man-the
nan who had thrown her and her love
side-pride came to her rescue and I
mt her strength and speech. Martha
ut out her hand in friendly manner.
I the same time saying: How do you |
e,aAsr. Craig? Your sudden appearance
tartled me for the moment and II
adnt heard OF your returfrto Seaview." n
Mortimer Craig stood with his hands
his pockets, rot offering to touch her c
utstretched hand. Martha found her
yes attracted to his in way she half A
esented yet could not resist. He fas-
'ned his dark eyes upon her and re- .
arded her steadily for moment. II
sol While compassioned your
uli, monotonous life. you found amuse- -
tent and occupation-the old thrilling C,
ime We all play at more or less" He
'oked SO stern and cold Martha almost u
ared him, but she could be brave: he =
lould not see how bis desertion had
ounded her. I.
i don't understand what you mean:
"a you have no right whatever to use N
lat tone TO me.
You know very well what mean
ow can you reconcile 1t 10 your CEN
Hence To even enter into an engage
N.