The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-05-13
THE DAILY
ISL N9R |. STORY
Tie Blind God
Nsy IEssIE LoUoLAs.
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Yes
"But-T shall see you
asstnl" II was the sound ID his
,yoiee-the sound Of the pursuing
max -that made Martha shake her
she looked very charming so:
she had looked very charming all
evening. In that quaint masquer-
ede 81 costume Of q flower girl,
Nhort silken. skirt sprinkled with
gpweta, vide flowet.Iaden hat with
long streail1ers that fell across her
shoulders and the willow basket
ON her arm, she was graceful, al.
lurina. dainty.
The black mask covered all but
hsr tnohth, dimpling and red, and
the man in'the costume Of a Span.
tsh eavaliek watched II now as she
spoke
Were going TO say good.by
hstes she insisted.
sBut Why? I'm Just getting to
snops you, why break up the be.
Ginning OF q pleasant friendship
YOU know more about me than
though we'd met all winter in a
casual geyl ] want to see you
she besitated and was on the
verge Of temptation. then she felt
MS fingers on her mask and heard
him plead, .Take II off, please!'
Martha stitfened and drew back.
twill meet you then tomorrow
st5fotir, she said breathlessly. "at
the white gate OF the tag mead
He blew her a kiss from his fin
Eer tips and took of his plumed
hat and made a sweeping bow. But
Martha Hadley, hurrying down the
Grangers' stairs, was only anxious
70 50. She wondered why she had
done that last foolish thing, given
him permission 10 see her again.
She knew why. Ever since she
had danced with him first and felt
be5str6ns guidance Of his arm and
had stepped Into the Slassed in.
closure that the Changers called
their conservatory, she had been a
different Martha. His voice, deep
and vibrant, had twined itself about
her heart.
He had said she was pretty. He
had said she wore the most charm.
ing costume there, and that her
voice was sweet. He begged her
70 tell her name. But Martha had
held him back at each step; she
couldn't tell him her name was
Martha when she had always
longed to be Rosamond and Paula.
As she ran down the walk and
out past the thanked motor cars,
Martha looked back at the lighted
windows OF the Granger house.
N was the time to unmask now.
But Martha had chosen TO. steal
away instead, TO run back home
through the dewy grass, drinking
m deep breaths Of the soft air,
looking upfat the white stars SO
far away
Whatga wonderful night It had
heent She had put aside the other
Marthar-the Martha who washed
dishes iii the white house down the
lane, and had been for just this
once thefsirl she had always long.
ed tosbe.
The sunshine next afternoon was
too golden to be an excuse for the
weather. to keep her home.
won't go" thought" Martha
said. 81 never meant TO go"
Rat at shalt.past three she was
taking down her hair for the third
time With. cold. trembling fingers
AID Wishing that her blue and white
checked bingham was not so plain,
fPefhaps he'll be cross.eyed,"
she thought desperately, "or else
he'll be 80 ugly that can't bear t.
look at him."
sheSalmost hoped he would be,
as she went slowly through the,
meadow to the white gate. But
wien she saw him far of, his tall
azure, her heart began to beat
madIy, and she knew 1t wouldn't
make any difference Il he was, not
Rood 10 look al, he, was the man
with the beautiful voice and the
easy. masterful way and the charm
that she felt even when he did not
speak. Z E
THE man had hurried on to meet
her, and now near. by she saw he
xss not as she had thought him.
hut nicer, much nicer, hundred
times u Ter! Her heart sank lower,
Afen't you going 10 speak to
meshe begged.
Martha lifted her face to him,
The afternoon sun struck . CLINT OF
told across her mousey hair and
akeEed the fluctusting color; first
She was red then she was white,
aud her clear, honest eyes that she
lifted to his.
sno you know you're lovelier
fhan ever tha girl had imagined!"
he said as he took her icy little
hand.
sob, don't!" Martha begged, she
eoald not believe that he was not
making fun OF her. 7
s,po you know I've found out
Who iyou{were and where you live?
THE Changers told me that you
teach the district school down the
road; and that you live with your
aunt in the white house In Chest.
nut lane.
.Rnt I don't know who you are!"
Martha said.
.Jimmie Gorton, lawyer, age 81,
utterly cynical and disiIlusioned-
Until slast night"
Martba-1ooked up at him and her
ayes fan beneath the look in his.
Could he, mean