Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1918-07-05
MARTHA lane
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sy AGNES a. BRoaAN

~
soapyfishl isi', Western Nsvspapsf unisn.l
Martha Jane sat between Der two
aunts and read the paper 10 the lamp
light Even the reading OF an evening
paper was, 10 the aunta opinion, CON.
cesslon to frivollty. Their constant ala.
-cipline upon this point had imbued
their dependent young niece with the
Idea that every desirable thing must be
frivolous.
One following the routine Of Martha
James busy day would scarcely have
called her dependent, but the elrl's
gratitude for her 'upbringlng'' had
been shown In unceaslng obedience 4
the elder women's wishes. Other elrlf
had been courted and married, other
girls wore pretty fancy dresses and
dainty, high-heeled shoes. Martha
Jane went quietly about IN sensible
gray, with shoes bought for service.
She glanced now with q umOthsredI
sight from the CLINT Of her aunts' busRl
needles to the concentrated frowEs
upon their faces. then listlessly turneA
back to the paper There would b a
least the pleasure Of the daily short
love story. What was love me: she
wondered. Then Martha James ere
fell upon an appealing letter. II was
published beneath the heading oe
"EveTyOneS Column" and she read:
A LONELY SOLDIER.
WIN some one be kind enough to write
me letter. will reply, telling them
about camp life. II makes me feel tarFi-
ply lonely 90 see other fellows setting LETT
tiers while have none. Not q relative LETT
~ e tnis country not friend L seems,
Hoping some kind heart viii favor ma
Richard Jameson.
The number Of a Southern regiment
ended the letter. An unusual flush
few to the roots Of Martha James soft
hair, az unusual eagerness shone IN
her blue eyes-she would answer that
letter. II there was one other soul ad
lonely as herself they must Join hands
across the miles. This should be her
one secret. Z
Good night, Aunt Martha" said the
girl "good night, Aunt Jane" and
FASTENED up to her room, Oil she
wrote him such q letter--that solder
preparing to answer his country's call
"A letter Of fun and sympathy and all
the glrllsh life which had been kept
sealed so long.
Then came the delightfully."- exciting
days Of waiting. Anticipation fingered
In the girls eyes.
what has got into you, Martha
janet" said one Of the aunts, dIsap-
prOvlngly. you're getting that frlv-
olous lookln'."
But for once Martha Jane was not
subdued. With a daring little laugh
she went on her way to the post once,
and there Il was, In the boz. She could
see the ooohlnB BCElpg tiIsUgSu gnu
glass. The pOstmistress turned Il over
uRbellevlngly.
"Wellw she exclaimed. Fer your
"Yes," answered Martha Jane. She
smiled provokingly. Il was q good
walk down to the ravlne, but she felt
that only there might she be sure oe
no interruption. He was very crate
ful, the soldier boy, and II her letter
had been good, his was wonderful.
Not only Of camp life did the letter
tell, but Of an adventurous disc0urag-
ing life before.
answer soon, please" he begged.
you've given me something to look
forward to-"
Bob Blake, recently returned "a
town, awaited bis packet Of mail one
morning, and turned to the pOstmis-
tress as Martha Jane, absorbed, passed
out with her bulky letter. Bob wrln-
killed. his brow thoughtfully.
'Isn't that Miss WlntersT he asked.
Martha Jane wlntersi Used 70
know her at school But she looks
different someway."
"She is different" the pOstmlsttoss
explained, 'slnce she's got that steady
lover. Used TO 80 along before quiet
and resigned like. Now she's all roses
and dlmples. Reckon they'll be mar
Fied when wars over"
Bob Blake wheeled about on an I'm
pulse and followed the girl down the
street.
~YOu've forgotten me- I'm afraid"
he said, as Martha Jane turned
around.
livery morning after that she net
him ct the post once, there were ere
nings too, when her letter had delayed
70 the later mail, and Bob would walk
home with her through the starlight.
And when one evening she aeeoptod
the usual mlsslve In BOb's presence,
her eyes fell before his Questioning
ones. When she raised them fEom o.
perusal, relief and Joy flashed ~ at
him. This Is what Martha Jane read :
-"and there's a girl out here visit
Ing her brother, whom I've got 70
know pretty well. So, when che goes
home she'll write me letters, and you
won't have to bother any more"
Prom yOur-lOverP questioned
Bob lercely.
y. never had q lover" truthfully
answered Martha Jane. Bob Blake
drew her gently out Into the night
'Well-you're going 10 have on