Democratic messenger., 1911-11-18

It's flying In the face Of Providence
TO say such things. I've got n sister
who Is crazy to come here and stay.
only she hasn't got $500 to buy her
way. II she was here with me we'd
be perfectly happy. aud you're growl.
ing because you have to stay here"
Martha stared mt her. Your sister
/ wants 10 come hereY' she asked In
credulously.
"Yes. It's a nice. easy life. and
| we've always had TO work dreadful
hard. I'm afraid she will never have
$500 to come. though"
"You don't know. Maybe proyi
dence will open way for her." said
Martha Butterworth, suddenly losing
her bitterness. Il know of somebody
who Is tired of IL and wants TO leave"
"You mean you?" cried Mrs Lloyd.
Martha nodded. IF do. your sister
can have my membership"
"Oh. OH" cried Mrs. Lloyd delighted.
~. that Is good OF you. Martha But
terworth II you don't change your
mind Hannah will spend the best
| THANKSGIVING Sne ever nau!
IL shan't change my mind" said
Martha decidedly. "You can write and
tell her she can have my half of the
room on Thanksgiving day. Don't cry
about II. Mrs. Loyd-and. no. don't
want you to thank me. It's not be.
cause I'm kind hearted. for I'm not.
I'm dreadful bitter do II gladly be-
cause | want TO go away from here"
Those are the words that Martha
Butterworth spoke. but even as she ut
tered them she felt n tremor of fear for
the future. In leaving the detested home
she was throwing away the last de
Tense between her frail body and-the
poorhousc. for II might he that In the
end now.
ON Thanksgiving day there was TO
be feast In the long dining room
downstairs. and the housckeeper. Mrs
Green, had prepared all the good old
fashioned yiands that go TO make up
the traditional Thanksgiving dinner
In the morning there was delicious
odor of browning turkey. and all the
inmates of the home gathered In the
sitting room and discussed other
Thanksgiving dinners that they had
partakcn OF under happier and more
favorable auspices.
Even Martha Butterworth seemed to
have forgotten her sorrow. for she had
put on her best black silk dress with
purple bow at the throat, and her
brown hair was fluffed prettily over
her ears Her cheeks were flushed,
and she actually laughed several times
during the meal. and she felt better
for 1t.
After the long dinner was over the
old ladies gathered In the stiff splen-
dor of the paror. where great fire
had been kindled on the hearth, and
they told stories aud jokes. and there
we're much laughter and funmaklng.
Then Mrs. Green asked Martha But
terworth to play something for them.
To everybodv's surprise Martha went
TO the piano without n word and sit
ting down before 1t played one thing
after another until each old lady had
had her faYorite piece played or her
favorite song sung. At last Martha's
fingers straycd into melody that she
had not dared remember for ten years.
II was her husband. Darius. favorite
song and one she had played for him
times without number Now her voice
was somewhat broken. but II was still
penetratingly sweet. and II pierced
through the walls Of the home. and a
man passing dejectedly along the side
walk heard 1t. stopped short and lis.
tened. and when the sound OF the
piano died away he mounted the steps
OF the home and rang the bell.
Mrs Green. the matron. came into
the parlor again and looked strangely.
doubtfully. ai Martha Butterworth.
who was still at the plano.
Somebody wants to see you. Mrs
Butterworth.' she said meaningly.
"Some one TO see mey' Martha was
surprised for most of the censorlous
relatives were dead or had long since
removed 10 other states. and she had
few friends She walked down the
long ROOM her small figure erect and
her head held with the proud poise
that marked her In spite OF all the
grief that should have laid II low.
A man was waiting In the dining
room-a tall. white haired. pale faced
man. well dressed aud prosperous look
ing lie looked once at Martha and
held out his arms Martha stared al
him with unbelieving eyes. for II was
her husband. Darius Butterworth In
another instant she was I'm his arms
and Darius was telling his story.
One OF the women relatives had
scolded Darius well that day when
ruin fell upon him. and she had told
him that the best thing he could do
was 10 take himself away where he
couldn't do any more harm 10 his
wife's interests or happiness. OF
course the relative was sorry after
ward. but then 1t was too late. for
poor Darius had taken his worthless
mining stock and departed for the
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