Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-01-02
Helped Him More
Than Sunshine
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

/
| (Copyright)
| THE Oracle spoke: IF you know
I what's good for you, you'll stay
right here. What would folks say
young thing like you runnin off to
work for a man she's never seen nor
even heard Of till last weekf'
"a penty-and more BESIDES" June
flung back desperately. "Tm a babe
of course-twenty-five next birthday.
And am not afraid of work, nor Of
men-nor even Of the dewitt don't
ask him in"
'He don't wait on askin'," the Or
acle blurted. June shrugged impa-
tlently. I'm goin'," she said grimly.
81 won't stay here, starvin' on a hun
dred a year-and working harder than
any other girl in town to pay my kind
friends for what l don't get"
She flung away high-headed. The
Oracle looked after her with pursed
lips, shaken head. Her minds eye
saw June's fnish-the gutter, the
river the morgue, when the monster
who was enticing her to destruction
had tired of her. She was going thus
to a man who had advertised for "a
woman with a gift Of homemaklng,
in secluded country house" Her
heart was in home-making-it was her
art, her JOY.
Dawn melted into daylight as she
quilted the train. The way station
lay silent betwixt woods and pas
lures. Then with a snort of the en-.
CINE the long train whirled away, re-
veallng beyond the tracks a car that
had seen better days, with a woman,
plump placid, gray-halred at the
wheel. you look like the answer
to prayer" she said, motloning June
to her side. 81 won't tell you why
better let you see for yourself.
There's time for you to wash up, rest
a bit, and eat breakfast before Esme
wakes. Poor soul Sleep was hard
for hlm-he was so anxious over your
coming"
Esme came to the table, clean
kempt, pathetic beyond words, in
wheel chair, propelled by his double
tanned and rugged as he was
bleached and wasted. Twin brothers,
the Trents were no closer in blood
than in heart and spirit.
''Helplcss-and the doctors say
there is no hope of betterment, yet
he may live to be old" Hardin Trent
said as they went out upon the porch.
''He loves beauty in everything. You
must give it to him. | see in your eyes
that you can. Cousin Emma, dear
good soul, has the best heart, and the
worst taste in the world"
So, indeed. 1t proved. Six months
later the solid old red brick house was
transformed within and TRANSPORTED
without. Her joy was nothing beside
Esme's; he gained in spirit, in color,
a little in ease and strength. He spent
hours in the grounds, watching the
flowers grow and blow, the new shrubs
make root and stem, the vines Chamber
Justify over the new trelllses, the turf
thlcken as summer strengthened. He
could push himself along the walks,
but Hardin was close by half the time.
June also haunted hint was so
piteous to see him brighten at sight of
her, and smile when she gave him a
| gay word. you help him-more even
than sunshine" Hardin said to her, his
tone family wlstful. And simply
can never thank you enough-you don't
know, but he is as he is because of
me. Dragged me away from falling
tree. His foot hung-lt caught him
| Death would have been ten times
easier than living to see him so. He
was the lithest, merriest, happiest
creature, so winning dogs followed
him, women were wax in his hands
We were always close friends-now
we are all in MI to each other-and
will be to the end of time"
Time ambllng withal brought frost
TO nip the turf, the flowers, snow t.
mantle them into more subtle beauty
brought also warmth, and fireshnC
and merry talk about the hearth, OF
happy siiences beneath the reading
lamp. Esme gained steadily, but very
slowly. One month he could pick his
guitar, singing to II in fine tenor
inaudlble across the room: the next
he raised himself unaded by holding
to the arms Of his chair-after New
Years he actually stood upright FOL
five seconds, Hardin supporting one
arm, June the other Sinking down
his face illumlned, he drew thell
hands together and held them upor
his breast There they felt his heart
pounding at racing speed, with now
and then the verlest ghost of skip
He smiled up at them. saying clearly
Mustn't try that again-for you
sakes. II would end everything quick
ly. You'd grleve for me | know. Tel
me truly will you let me live on as .
am, and watch your happlness?"
what happlness?" Hardin asket
huskily. June turned her head Esm,
again joined their hands and lifted
them to his lips before answering
"The right human happiness Of maj
and wife. You love each other-I hav,
seen that long time-but hav,
stood between you. No, no" as the,
would have protested. 81 was jealou,
--madly so II seemed to me you hat
no right to take--what is forever de
MED me. l dreamed even of gettln.
well--of daring you to rival me will
June. The dream is ended-take YOU
each the other, with my blessing. Do
II quickly-before | GO"
The last words whispered, Hardin
and June stood apart, looking lovingl,
at this man and brother. kiss me
both. l must sleep" he said And 5,
fell into the sleep that knows no wax