The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-11-23

be perfectly happy. and you're growl
sng because you have TO stay here"
Martha stared at her Your sister
wants to come here" 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 a way for her." said
Martha Butterworth. suddenly losing
her bitterness. II know of somebody
who Is tired of 1t 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.
ly, that is good of you Martha But
terworth. II you don't change your
mind Hannah will spend the best
Thanksgiving she ever had
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 It, Mrs. Loyd-and. no. don I
want you 10 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 nre the words that Martha
Butterworth spoke, but even as she ut
tered them she felt 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
poorhouse, for it might he that in the
end now.
On THANKSGIVING day there was to
he feast in the long dining room
downstairs, and the housekeeper. Mrs
Green, had prepared all the good old
fashioned viands that go 10 make up
the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
In the morning there WIS 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 ButterWofth seemed 10
have forgotten her SorroW. for she had
put ON her best black silk dress with
a purple bow nj the throat. and her
brown hair was fnffed preuilY over
her ears. Her cheeks were flushed.
and she actually laughed several times
during the meal. and she felt better
for it,
After the long dinner WIS over the
old ladies gathered in the stiff SPLEEN
dor of the paror. where a great fire
had been kndled on The hearth, and
they told stories and Jokes, and there
were much laughter and funmaking
Then Mrs. Green asked Martha But
terWorth 10 play something for them.
To evcryhndN's surprise Martha went
10 the piano without Il word and ST
ting down before II played one thing
after another until eaeh old lady had
had her favorite piece played or her
fayorite song sung At last Martlm's
fingers strayed into a melody that she
bad not dared remember for ten years.
1t was her husband. Darius. faVorite
song and one she had played for him
times without number. Now Der voice
was somewhat broken. but 1t WAS still
penetratinGly sweet. and 1t pierced
through the walls OF the home, and
man passing dejectedly along the side
walk heard ii, stopped short and lis
tened, and when the sound of the
piano died away he mounted the steps
Of the home aud rang the bell.
Mrs. Green. the matron. came into
the parlor again and looked strangely.
doubtfully. at Martha Butterworth.
who was still at the piano
Somebody wants TO see you, Mrs
Butterworth." she said meaningly.
"Some one to see me2' Martha was
surprised for most OF the censorious
relatives were dead or had long since
removed to other states. and she had
few friends She walked down the
long room. her small figure erect and
her head held with the proud polse
that marked her In spite OF all the
grief that should have laid 1t low.
A man was waiting in the dining
room-a tall white haired. pale faced
man. we'll dressed and prosperous look
ing He looked once at Martha and
held out his arms. Martha stared at
him with unbeleying eyes. for 1t WAS
her husband. Darius ButterwOrth In
another instant she WAS In 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 be could do
was to take himself away where he
couldn't do any more harm to 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
west. where for years be struggled for
living. while he patiently lnyestigat-
I'D every mine until at last he found
enc that really held out prospect OF
paying dividends to Its trusting stock
holders That WAS the beginning OF
the fortune that Darius had piled up
from several OF his so called worth
less certificates" When he had re
gained the fortune he had lost he
went back TO his old home only to find
that his wife had disappeared after
Ave years. and while II was known
that she had entered a home some
where she had taken no one into her
confidence Darius had been wander