The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-02-27
MARTHENA'S
DUTY
II Did Not Prove to Be q
Sacrifice
By CLARISSA MAcKIE

house door with a little sigh Of relief
and walked slowly down the village
street toward home.
There came a chatter of hoofs on the
road. and Lionel Forbes rode CALAMITY
around the bend and pulled his big
slack horse to a standstill beside Mar
fhena.
"How do you do. Miss Judd?' he
asked. smiling down at her from his
brown eyes.
Marthena's eyes were dazzled by
Lionel Forbes and his too evident
beauty. The sudden interest of Shar-
Qn's richest young nan in the humble
schoolteacher was flattering. Marthena
Judd was pretty in a pale, delicate
way. but M always thought that she
gave promise Of greater beauty when
she could have a rest from teaching
Che robust youngsters Of the village
school.
While Marthena smiled and blushed
under the bold glance Of Lionel
Forbes. Miss Myra Finney. who kept
Che postofice. peered from an unOb-
Structed corner Of the window and
made comments to her sister Susan.
If l had a child in Marthena Judd's
school l would put my foot down
About one thing!" said Myra after
Lionel and Marthena had walked
slowly on
"What's that!' asked Susan lazily.
I'D put a stop to her Irritation with
Lionel Forbes. 1t sets a very bad ex-
4mple to the children. Why. Susan.
She's all took up with him SOS she's
forgotten to come for her mail. and
here's a letter from her brother Henry
way out in Wyoming. He don't write
xery often. I wonder il there is any
thing the matter"
"Marthena writes to him every Sun
day." remarked Susan. LET me see
Henry lost his wife. didn't hep
Marthena blushed and then paled
when she read her brothers letter.
Dear Marthena-I am wondering II you
ant take pity on me and come out here
md keep house for me. You needn't do
WY sCoA hoAo "OA@s ~ CAlAo SAC -
man, does that, but 1t does need a wo-
nan hand out here. and I'm plain lone
some for you. 1t was different when Ida
Was alive. but you now how 1t is. I'll
pay you what you get for teaching the
Sharon kids. and you'n ave a horse to
eide and anything else In reason that you
want. Do come. Send me a telegram and
I'll meet you at Bitter Tree whenever you
say. u loving brother. HENRY.
Marthena's face paled as she read
the letter. 1t vas SO plainly her duty
70 go to poor Henry. but her dawning
love for Lionel Forbes held her back.
II she went away now his too tickle
'ieart would seek another. Yet. know
ing this. she yearned after him. He
had opened the rosy doors Of romance
TO Marthena Judd. He would forget
her if she went. And yet it was her
duty to 60 to her brother.
She would let Aunt Hepsey decide.
Aunt Hepsey was a large, capable wo-
q who ruled her family Of grown
SONS and daughters with an iron hand.
She had spared a small gabled Don
for Marthena Judd. her orphaned niece.
1hd M%arthena's board money paid for
music lessons for the three girls.
Aunt Hepsey read the letter and then
settled her gold framed spectacles on
.aer nose.
"Marthena. it's your plain duty to go
to Henry" she said. Hes doing
1plendidly out there Oh the ranch. He's
tottinS rich. SO Larry Barnes wrote to
George. You know Larry went out
here. and Henry gave him work on
the ranch. Seems L.arry's a foreman
az something out there. 1 s'pose you've
forgotten all about Larry Barnes now
that Lionel Forbes is sweet on you:
Rlt, Marthena, you can't place any de-
pendence on Lionel. He's a butterfly.
4ways running after some pretty girl.
and-now. don't get mad-you asked
my advice and
Aunt Hepsey looked after Marthe-
mas flying form with disapproval in
Ter eyes.
Don't it beat ALL" she asked Of the
empty air. 'how folks will ask your ad-
vice and then fly all to pieces if it
Cont suit their ideesy"
It was a heavy hearted Marthena
who packed her trunks and babe fare
veil to the little Maine village where
.shs had lived all her days.
The train left Sharon and the old
'46e far behind. While the ache Of
.1Rrting was soMl In Marthena's throat
the novelty Of travel interested and
eomforted her. Five days later Mar
k9ena entered upon the rolling prairie
.lind that to her eastern eyes seemed
Ike a dust colored sea bounded by
tie purple hills riaing and melting
1JKay against. the horfSon as they
spe4 on.
1t Bitter Tree her trunks were
A6nped ont ON The platform. and the
Tin went. On into the golden glory of
sunset, while Aarthena stood there
Selling strangely small and forlorn
NTH HanrY's big voice and Henry's
s9ong arms greeted her.
We looked at him with wondering
-eaoi. Henry Judd had gone forth
1em Sharon village 4 tall. ianky New
nl3andcr dressed In 1T 6tting store