Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-03-22
BUM PUS
BY CLARA c. HOLMES

'blueberry" cabin, watching the fire
blackened skeletons of pine trees being
shattered in the December gale. 1t
was only four days before Christmas,
vet Martha's heart was as desolate as
that forbidding wasteland stretching
acres to the eastward.
Beside her upon the windowsill
pulred Bumpus She stroked him and
confided to him her troubles.
at might have been very different
with us, Bumpus, if someone had not
erred so fearfully."
Co-ncidentally, the words, ITO err
is human" fitted into her mind. Her
face frightened.
an do it, Bumpus Anything is bet
ter. than living a useless existence be-
cause one hates somebody. But oh,
Bumpus, Anne did wrong me so spite
fully. She may not have invented the
unreasonable falsehoods; but she en-
Outraged - she persuaded Carlton
Burns into believing them. Because
/ was sensitive, I was hurt terribly;
SO I ran away to free Carlton-yes,
Bumpus. ran away from him." she
concluded, bursting into sobs.
Anyway I'll send Anne a Christmas
greeting" she continued, clinging to
her purpose, "but can't buy anything
out here What am to do, Bumpus?"
A moment after Martha had asked
the question, the cat jumped down
from the windowsll and ran for the
loft stairs and Martha followed him.
Bumpus stationed himself vigilantly
at the caves. AS Martha glanced
around, her attention was caught by
trunk which had not been opened
since her sister had died more than
a year before.
poor Lina's gowns used to fit Anne
Grant. Anne has become impover-
ished: 1t seems as if she is being
punished for her Jealous intriguing"
reasoned unsophisticated Martha.
II can't bear to wear these pretty
things; I wonder If I can persuade my
self to give Anne this silk kimono,"
she faltered, lifting a beautiful gown
from its place.
Then she sat down to write note,
but her hand trembled and teardrops
fell on the script.
Dear Anne Grant-The Bankville
News says you have had i'll luck. !
want you to know that | am sorry.
am mailing you a Christmas remem-
brance-the kimono Lima never was
able to wear. Lima was fond of you.
81 presume you guessed why I
turned cynic-I tried to he kind to
grandmother-it crushed me com
pletely when folks gossiped after she
had gone. saying that I had abused
her I suppose I was over-sensitive,
too, in regard to Carlton; but l assert
now. as I did then. that I liked Carlton
for himself alone and not for his heir
ship to the mill property, as Carlton
was led to believe was true. | am
staying on my blueberry farm. In
memory of Lina-and Christmas-and
our own early friendship, I am truly
wishing you, and all the old friends
q happy Christmas-tide.
your once confidante,
"Martha Bradwell."
Martha courageOuSly went out into
the storm to carry her letter and
parcel to her mail box, which was
nearly mile away. When she re-
turned. she passed long hours in sus-
pense. wondering how Anne would ac-
cc't the gift BY noon the phstman
came, having put himself out Of his
way in order to deliver a letter. The
message was from Anne,
My dear old chum-We are so glad
to hear from you-no one knew
! whether YOU were living or dead. You
mention some gossip, VIII YOU kindly
reflect that there were others am
hitious for Cartons friendship as well
as myself? We are sorry you We're so
! deeply hurt. Do You mind if we plan
| n sleighing party, and drive over when
the road gets good?
81 am. sure you never will regret
having shown so genuine a Christmas
| spirit That this may be your happiest
merriest Christmas is the wish of
"Anne Grant"
"Happest Christmas Martha's eyes
filed with bitter tears; the words
were filed with hollow mockery
Suppressing her anger Martha
watched the snow begin to fall When
Christmas morning dawned Martha
wept again in loneliness.
suddenly she sprang up. Someone
was knocking loudly, and she dare
not open the door to q stranger The
intruder came to the window
Don't be afraid Martha; Tor Jupi-
relss sake, let me inn' he commanded.
She was soothed by the familiar
voice; mechanically she opened the
door
II takes something more than a
northeast blizzard TO deter a Yankee.
'Ilullo. Martha, he greeted, aren't
YOU going to welcome fellow who
has wallowed miles. to get to your
She let him seize her almost mani