Middletown transcript., 1905-07-08
miles away.

II do not care to CO." she said and
Tom thought her manner rather cold and
depressing. He did not urge the matter,
for he was easily wounded, and never
asked her a second time to grant him a
favor. lie was not demcnstratiye lover,
perhaps because Miss Martha never en-
couraged caresses She did not think it
modest or womanly to do so, yet she
often caught herself wishing that Tom
would be. more affectionate. They had
been engaged for three years, but had
seen comparatively little of each other,
owing to Toms studies and poor patients
of which there were maryland they
had never grown familiar as is the case
with most lovers.
Miss Martha watched the couple drive
away. Tom bent to arrange the buffalo
robe more closely about his companion,
and said something which made them
both laugh, and Miss Martha turned
quickly from the window with a pain
at her heart. The girlish face framed in
the feecy wool of the black hood was
SO very lovely Would lie mark the
difference, and regret
She took up her work, and began to
turn down hem but she could not
drive away the haunting thoughts which
tormented her.
Three years % she murmured. at is
a long engagement and l have heard it
said that men are not patient walters. l
wonder if he has ever wished to be free
again"
The ride proved of much benefit to
Eva, who was brighter and gayer for
days after. Seeing this, Tom took her
with him frequently, never thinking that
he was causing his betrothed pain by so
doing. lie came oftener than ever to the
cottage, playing chess and cribbage with
Eva at the centre table in the evening
while Miss Martha sat by with her sew
ing, and wished she was Eya's age.
do you think will stand any chance
OF getting the school at Dodd's Corner,
next fall, DR.. Edgecourt ~ asked Eva,
one evening.
"You surely don't think of applying
for it T. cried Tom. "Why the children
are little heathens. They throw ink
bottles and spit-balls at the teacher, and
swear like troopers. No, no, we must
not let you go there"
Il must work for myself" the girl said
81 can not consent to remain dependent
on anyone.
''Wait until next fall comes before you
begin to worry" Tom said. at is only
March now, and something better may
turn up in the next six months"
Eva, as was her custom, left the room
as soon as the game of chess was over.
Tom always had few minutes alone with
his betrothed before leaving the cottage.
II am so tired of boarding." he said,
when after some unimportant converse
ton, he rose to go. Il wish | had
hpme,' and he sighed.
Now was Miss Martha's chance to say
something tender and cheerful but the
words refused to form themselves on her
lips. She was very shy, and lately she
and Tom had seemed to be drifting very
far apart.
Tom looked at her moment, is if ex-
pecting her to speak but as she did not
do soe he turned almost angrily from her,
a dark red flush OF wounded pride dyeing
his frank, fair face. He wished lie had
not uttered that longing for a home.
20, forgot to tell you," he said, as he
reached the hall door, THAT my brother
Arnold is coming to Ruseyille Tomorrow.
He has some affection of the head, and
wants to put himself under my care for
4 month or two. lie will leave his law
business entirely in his partners hands.
Poor Arnold He has other than physi
cal troubles There's an old saying that
are at the bottom Of all mischief,
and men are such fools sometimes Good
night, Martha :" and the hall door closed
loudly.
For some minutes Miss Martha stood
where he had left her, one hand bearing
rather heavily OH the small ball table.
Could he only have known what stress
she laid upon his careless words She
repeated over and over the
last sentence lie had uttered, and remem-
bered the bitterness Of his tone. Then
she walked Slowly into the small parlor
again, and dropped on her knees by an
easy chair, burying her face in the soft
cushions
81 am no longer young" she said, in
4 hoarse choked voice. ''He sees his
mistake now that Eva is here to point a
And yet-how coa | give
him up! How can | offer him his free
iom? Could live OIL without the hope
[ have held so close to my heart for
nearly three years? But | must decide.
Not now. | will wait-just little while
to be sure it is true that he has ceased
10 love me.
Eva noticed that Miss Martha was very
pale and distract the following day, and
was not looking her best when Arnold
Edgecourt came with Tom to call. She
mad never seen this brother before, but
he was so like Tom i'll every way that she
liked him at once. He was, however,
more man Of the world than Tom, and
while Toms face wore look Of frank,
yood-nature, Arnold's was clouded by an
expression OF melancholy and discomfort
This, Miss Martha ascribed to those secret
troubles of which Tom had spoken, and
the wondered if some woman had Tilted
he handsome lawyer
Several weeks passed BY, and Miss
Martha was 10 longer her former bright,
cheerful self. She did not know what it
was now to be without that sharp pain at
ler heart, and the estrangment between
herself and Tom seemed to grow greater
very day. He Withdrew more and more
nto himself and she made no effort to