Graham guardian., 1918-02-08
MARTHA Jane
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BY AGNES q. sRooAN.

cession to frivolity. Their constant dis
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 girls
gratitude for her "upbringing" had
been shown in unceasing obedience to
the elder women's wishes. Other girls
had been courted and married, other
girls wore pretty fancy dresses ami
dainty, high-heeled shoes. Marina
Jane went quietly about In sensible
gray. with shoes bought for service.
She glanced now with smo,hered
sight, from the CLINT Of her aunts busy
needles to the concentrated frowns
upon their faces, then listlessly turned
back to the paper. There would be at
least the pleasure Of the daily short
love story. What was love like; she
wondered. Then Martha james eye
fell upon an appealing letter. 1t was
published beneath the heading Of
"Everyone's Column" and she read:
A LONELY SOLDIER.
Will some one be kind enough to write
me . letter? will reply, telling them
about camp life. It makes me feel terri
bly, lonely to SEQ other fellows getting let
in. all this country. not friend It seems,
who cares.
Hoping some kind heart viii favor me-
Richard Jameson.
The number Of Southern regiment
ended the letter. An unusual flush
flew to the roots Of Martha James soft
hair, an unusual eagerness shoHe In
her blue eyes--she would answer that
letter. II there was one other soul as
lonely as herself they must join hands
across the miles. This should be her
one secret.
Good night, Aunt Martha" said the
girl; good night. Aunt Jane" and
hastened up to her room. Oh! she
wrote him such letter-that soldier
preparing to answer his country's call
"a letter Of fun and sympathy and all
the girlish life which ha6 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-
provingly. you're getting that friv-
olous lookin'."
But for once Martha Jane was not
subdued. With a daring little laugh
she went on her way to the post Office,
and there 1t was, In the box. She could
see the dashlng script through the
glass. The postmistress turned 1t over
unbelievingly.
"Well!" she exclaimed. Fer your
"Yes," answered Martha Jane. She
smiled provokingly. 1t was good
walk down to the ravine, but she felt
that only there might she be sure Of
no interruption. He was very CRATE
full, 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 discoul Lg-
ing life before.
Answer soon, please" he begged.
you've given me something to lvok
forward to-
Bob Blake, recently returned to
town. awaited his packet Of mail one
morning, and turned to the postmis.
tress as Martha Jane. absorbed, passed
out with her bulky letter. Bob wrin-
kled his brow thoughtfully.
isn't that Miss winters?" he asked.
Martha Jane Wintersf Used to
know her at school. But she looks
different someway."
"She is different" the postmistress
explained, "since she's got that steady
lover. Used to 60 along before quiet
and resigned like. Now she's all roses
and dlmples. Reckon they'll be mar
ried 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.
Every morning after that, she met
him at the post office. there were eve
nings too, when her letter had delayed
to the later mail, and Bob would walk
home with her through the starlight.
And when one evening she accepted
the usual missive In Bob's presence,
her eyes fell before his questioning
ones. When she raised them from Its
perusal, relief and JOY flashed up ut
him. This is what Martha Jane read !:
-"and there's girl out here visit
ing her brother, whom I've got to
know pretty well. So, when she goes
home she'll write me letters, and you
won't have to bother any more"
"From your--loverf" questioned
Bob fercely.
II never had a lover" truthfully
answered Martha Jane. Bob Blake
drew her gently out into the night.
'Well-you're going to have one
now," he said.