The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-03-24

ing relentlessly down to cover new
made grave. 1t was twilight, the houl
when she was ever wont to sit beside
him, in summer upon the porch, and In
this sort of weather on the other side
of the open crate where the empty
chair stood now. The funeral had TAX
on place that afternoon, friends were
kind, very kind; old comrades had
pleaded with him to come TO their
homes or to let one of them stay with
him. But with gentle resistance he
had refused all their well-meant COM
partnership, and was according TO his
advice, alone. What his plans for the
future might be did not matter; for
tonight no one should intrude upon
his sacred communing.
1t had happened. Hardly did he real
ize it yet, and, being man Of slow
perception and deliberate action, he
needed time and solitude to adjust him
self to changed circumstances.
Besides, he was not lonely, no storm
of grief had as yet rent his being.
It may be that he had not felt Alright,
but true it was that not even when
they brought her in from the street
dead had tear rolled down his cheek.
Dead Why should he say that word?
Why, there she was in her chair on
the other side Of the blazing logs; he
could see her knitting in the dusk and
hear her say, Yes, John, dear, think
It is time to make tea" Was not that
she now, moving about in the next
room, tinIling china? The kettle was
singing upon the stove; was 1t not
awaiting her, too? Yes, and she was
coming; he could tell her step in a
million; it was scarce heavier than
forty years ago. Forty years ago! The
half-burnt log gave a sudden lurch and
he stopped to fix 1t. Forty years ago!
Why, that was way back before the
war-yes, he remembered now 1t
was when she wore that lilac dimity,
when her curls were sunny brown. A
mere slip of girl she was then, and
slender and frail always. And his daily
prayer had ever been that he should
be spared to protect her, that Martha
might never be left alone.
Plants are different; some strong
by themselves, others are of twin
ing nature. yes, he had prayed that
Martha be never left alone-without
him. That was the way he had put
the request; but what the granting of
It might mean to him, he had never
dared formulate. And he never sus-
pected that her secret supplication was
o similar concern for him.
Never overstrong for some time back
Maytha's heart had fluttered like
frightened bird, too much and too fire.
quently. Still, only three days ago, in
the afternoon, seemingly as well as
ever, she had put on her little bonnet
with the soft lavender velvet bow and
fur coat, preparatory to going down
town. He had protested for it was bit
ter cold, and wind was coming up
But Martha was laughingly rebellious
nnd would have her own sweet way,
refusing even to let him accompany
her
"Why, I'm sixty years young" she
exclaimed, with an echo of the old
youthful ring in her voice. Cant /
go down street alone and do a little
shopping?"
And she kissed him and called him
Q great followcat, and was off. He
could see her now as she went through
the doorway; he had watched her ad-
miringly and anxiously to the end of
the street, where she stepped upon the
car. Why had he let her go? Why
had he not kept her with him while
he could? Perhaps it was better not
he would try to think so-lest Martha
should some day be left alone. And
having seen her take the car safely,
he returned to his chair by the fire,
wondering what her little surprise
was now. He had forgotten that it
was his birthday, and did not think of
1t even now. 1t was not until they
brought her back through the same
doorway and laid her upon the old
,horse-hair sofa-dead. Dead! Was
It really so? Martha dead and he
plone by the fire?
He would not remember his birth
fay then, but they gave him small
parcel that had been clasped in her
hrms when she fell. 1t was daintily
colored photograph in gilt frame,
the picture of a sweet-faced girl in a
lilac dimity, a laughing girl with sunny
brown hair! 1t must have been made
from that old daguerreotype of her,
taken a few years before the war,
likeness that they had somehow mis-
laid and had not been able to find for
many years back. She must have
come upon II recently and kept the dis
covery a secret to have this done as
d birthday surprise.
Then many things happened in which
he had no part. People came AND went,
did things and said things; but he only
knew that she lay there cold and
still, with her pale face gentle as ever,
her hair soft and silvery, wearing the
black satin dress that he had bought