Middletown transcript., 1905-07-08
MISS MARTHA'S MISTAKE
BY FLORENCE II. BIRNEY


sitting-room, putting the last stitches into
a flannel skirt for old Mrs. Bodley, who
suffered terribly with the rheumatism,
which was not improved by the weekly
scrubbings she gave the offices in the
brick block on Main street.
Miss Martha had just sewed stout
button on the waist belt, and was about
to fold the skirt up, smiling at the thought
of the old woman's delight when she
should receive the gift, when the hall
door opened without the ceremony OF
preceding knock, and neighbor, Mrs
Marsh, came in.
"You ought not to sew by twilight,
Miss Martha" she said, as she entered
the room "you'll ruin your eyes. But
that's not what l came to say Mrs. Nor
cross died an hour ago."
The smile faded from Miss Martha
face, and her eyes grew humid.
Poor woman - she said, in her low,
sweet voice. $50 she has gone at last
She suffered great deal"
eyes, and she was glad to GO. But she
had every attention, in spite OF being
stranger here. Doctor Edgecourt visited
her every day, and never charged her
cent, l know and all the neighbors sent
things to eat. Cancers are terrible things.
She was mighty patient woman Poor
soul But now," with a sudden change
OF tone, "what's to be done with Eva n
Has she no relatives at all 2"
''Not one. She is too refined and pretty
to do homework, even if she was strong
enough, which she isn't. She can't go
to the poorhouse, OF course, and She
hasn't dollar-there's to be subscrlp-
ton to pay the burial expenses.
Miss Martha stood smoothing the fan
mel skirt with her white, thin hands, her
face wearing an expression OF deep thought
mingled with anxiety. Once she opened
her lips, as if to speak, then hesitated
and closed them again. Ought she to
make this sacrifice which seemed urged
upon her? 1t would be selfish not to do
SO. She raised her head, and said in
firm, sweet voice
"The girl must come to me, since there
is no one else to take her. | have plenty
for one-I can make it enough for two by
oyoroicipp ncopon,v,,
''Fhat's just like you, Miss Martha F! |
knew you'd make the offer. The girl has
got frst-rate education, and she can
study up enough to take school by next
fall. OF course, you won't want her
around after you are married !"
A deep flush came into Miss Martha's
naturally pale face she dropped her
eyes, and turned away from Mrs. Marsh,
with some murmured excuse about max
ing the flannel skirt she held into
bundle to be sent away.
The neighbors agreed that Eva Nor
cross could not have found better home
than she had at Miss Martha's. The little
cottage stood in large garden, well-filled
with fruit trees and shrubs. In the sum-
mer it was gay with flowers Of many
varieties, and sweet-smelling honey -suckle
wandered over and nearly concealed the
fence and front piazza Miss Martha had
lived in the cottage with old Hannah for
twelve years. For three of these gears
she had been engaged to Doctor Tom
Edgecourt, whose practice was as yet too
small to enable him to marry. lie was a
year younger than Miss Martha, and this
fact often stung her very keenly. She
sometimes stood before her looking glass,
and attentively studied her face, wishing
she was twenty instead OF thirty, and had
the bloom of ten years before Her hair
was still glossy and abundant, her eyes
still bright bot the plumpness and bloom
of early giflhood had fled forever. Occa-
sionally- she wondered if Tom would
always love her, and tortured herself with
imagining it sacrifice for him to marry
her. Would not young girl suit him
better? She started like guilty thing
when Hannah's tap at the door, or call
from the hall below, interrupted these
meditations. She was ashamed of herself
that she thought SO much Of her departed
prettiness, and the difference between
her age and Toms. Yet she could not
drive away her harassing doubts, nor
would she try to set them at rest by speak
ing of them to Tom. She was shy and
sensitive, and SO was lie and they were
both very proud.
Eva Norcross found her new home
very quiet, but not an unhappy one. She
was gentle and timid, and did not care
for the society of girls Of her own age.
She liked nothing better than to lie in an
easy chair all day with a book, or some
embroidery in her white, pretty hands,
which Miss Martha was never weary of
admiring. The dead mother had INDUCED
her one child, and never taught her to
make herself useful. There was no need
Tor her to be active in the cottage. At
the outset Miss Martha had told her that
she would be required to do nothing but
study, Hannah being fully competent to
do the entire work of the small establish
ment.
You must educate yourself to teach"
Mrs. Marsh said, one morning, as she
came into the cottage in her abrupt way,
and found Eva embroiderng cushion.
"You can't live on Miss Martha all your
life. Next fall We will try to get you the
district school at Dodd's Corner"
Eva shuddered, and grew a little pale
while the work fell from her hand,
II have heard that the children at
Dodd's Corner were very rough with the
last MASTER" she said in her soft. slow
voice.
"A woman might have more influence
with 'em than man." said Mrs. Marsh.
Anyhow, it won't hurt You to try it
a spell. Miss Martha, as that lady came
in from the kitchen where she had been
making quaker" for old Mrs. Green's
cold, You must get the doctor to give