Martie, the Unconquered

d the sale of the old Monroe place were completed, Martie's thoughts were absorbed by

he Frost and Parker families. They were the richest and most prominent people in the village, she was just one of the M

niffing. It was no use to plant sweet-peas this year, it was no use to prune the roses. Whether Lydia was sitting rocking on the side porch silently, through the spring twilight, or impatiently flinging

and new grass, before Martie became aware that the name of Clif

ying one day. "Delicacy-! They don't know what it is nowadays. Do as

re than once to Clifford's office, and last Sunday

lent scorn. "But I declare it makes me laugh to remember how dignified I was-Ma used to say that it was born in me to hold aloof! A man had to sa

g, WHAT are yo

easy little hand a chop-bone that Teddy had chewed white, looked up to see that her sister

the Estates EVER will seem like home," faltered Lydia. "You and Pa must do as you think best, of course-y

ally, when she and he were alone, but they always understood each other. To Martie he was the one exquisite and unalloyed joy in life. His splendid, warm little person was at once the t

ed up to his mother to have his napkin untied. He guarded his cake as best he could when his mother suddenly be

she knew she had missed from Lydia's tirades. Lydia was furi

er of the Sunday suppertable, Martie's cheeks were dyed a bright, conscious cri

chest-the most respected man in Monroe, and herself

out for his companionship of late. Last Sunday, and the Sunday before, he had come to call-once, most considerately, the girls thought, to show Pa the plans for the new High School, once to take Martie and Sally and

n months she had never once weighed the possibility. She had pondered every other avenue ope

rd had never thought of it, and if he had, he was notoriously slow about making up his m

r and head, to entertain in the old house with the cupola, under the plumy maple and locust trees-? If Teddy might grow to a happy

ounded him. She would be rich, rich enough to do anything and everything for Sally's children, for instance. And what pleasure and pride such a

ttle tiresome. Rose was still birdlike, still sure that what she had and did and said and desired were

nd maple mousse, or a dainty luncheon with silk-clad, flushed women laughing

ure, years ago; waited for Wallace, at rehearsals, or at night; waited for news of Golda; waited for Teddy; an

little arm about Martie, and give her a laughing kiss. Rose had disc

ring and watching all about her. Fanny had subtly altered her attitude, even Sally was changed.

f for doing so. Rose had ignored her for more than a

titude. There was an unexpressed feeling in the air that Martie was stepping up, and stepping away from them. The younger sister, in her

old plaid coat that hung open and showed her shabby little serge gown. The very room, where these girls had struggled with so ma

t, and shook hands with Sally and Lydia. His eyes were on Martie as she slipped a

rself so pretty?" he asked gall

e asked directly,

. She was astonished to have him fling his

s he busied himself with the turns of the road, she presently began to speak of other things. But when they had driven into the

detain her, and looke

the matter-a

ttle confused. "But-but

ld teasing voice of the boy who had liked to play

there was reproach in the glance Mar

t of cloud of laughter and affection. Everywhere were lights and pretty rooms; wr

people,

Florence, and Cliff." Rose, hovering over the dressing-table exclaimed ecstatically over Ma

t Martie's waist as

ay-after all Rodney had done for them, too! He did EVERYTHING. It was over a piece of property that their g

ing room, with its one big rug, and its Potocka and le Brun looking down from the

a delicious dinner

y were happy days! I remember waking up in the mornings and saying to myself, 'I'll see Martie to-day!

?" Rose called gaily, "he does that t

?" Florence Frost, sickly, emaci

tie answere

ce said, drawing h

th the merry laugh that acc

er dinner, in real country fashion. The women played a few rubbers of bridge, and Rose had not forgotten a p

ed she should be able to

iving her shoulders a quick little impulsive squeeze, sai

for her wraps, Rose came, too, and they ha

ou and he were going on a-on

ee Joe, and I'll have the children. I happened to mention it to Cliff, and he

self-consciousness. Martie, putting a scarf over her

a plan!" she said gaily, "I suggest that Cliff take his car, and we take ours, and the E

be fun," Martie said

ld be a little wiser that way. You see, I understand you, Martie, and I know we seem awfully small and petty here, but-since we ARE in Monroe, why, isn't it better

o the impropriety of her going off for the day with Clifford, Teddy, and Ruth, was seething like a poison within her. But presently sh

y. Martie had asked for the two older children, and had in all innocence suggested to Clifford that they make it a picn

two cool triangles on the shabby carpet, Martie yawned. The whole experience had been curiously flat, except for Rose's little parting impertinence

ortunity that day to enter into her kingdom. His eagerness to please her, his unnecessary calls at the Library to

tarched pink gingham, beaming on the back seat. Martie, in white, with a daisy-crowned hat mashed down over her br

waved hands. Lydia had shaded her face with her fingers, and was blinking in the warm June sunlight. Poor Lydia, Martie thought, she should have been beside Clif

d running about in the bright sunlight. The day would be hot-ideal picnic weather. Rodne

rtie! Remember our

, and smiled a little doubtfu

s understood each other; always, in a way, brought out the best of each other." He looked about; no one else was in hearing. "Now, I've got the sweetest little wife in the wor

cordially, over a deep am

e in a low, intense tone and

o be a beautifu

e laughed un

aid steadily, "is

be-it must be so! But Martie coul

ar!" she said

ong time," Rodney pursued. "Rose i

ose credited with this change in her fortunes sudde

ew at the time; but that's neither here nor there! But in any case, you know that you haven't a warmer or a more devoted friend t

y pressed her hand, laughed, blinked, and turned away. A moment later she heard him call Rose "Dearest," a

listening with a half-smile to the children's eager chatter, and thinking vaguely that Clifford might ask her to-day, or might not ask h

it, seeing all the boys with their

nd she added, in a thoughtful voice: "Nothi

. "I guess you were pretty happy,

to the plumy tree-tops over the old graveyard where Ma lay sleeping; "asleep," as the worn legend over the gateway said, "until resurrection morn." Near the graveyard was t

got a lot of fri

have!" she sa

red his

you ever go away from California again." He became

ain, Martie? I'm considerable older than you are-I know tha

er face: voiceless

" he said kindly. "You and me are old neighb

echless, honestly mo

that boy to raise, and took hold so plucky and good-natured. Ruth and I are alone now: I've buried my wife and my brother, and m

s as his voice began to flounder. "I-I'm glad you feel that way, and I ho

miling glance, and drew

ve been telling myself for several days that you liked me enough to try it

't know that I ever felt any happier in my life!" the man presently declared. "We may not be youngsters, but I d

with joy and triumph. She really felt a wave of devotion to the big, gentle ma

bay perhaps a mile in circumference, was framed in a fine, sandy shore: long, natural jetties of rock had been flung out far into the softly r

across the faces of the laughing men and women, the children screamed and shouted as they flirted with the lazily runn

weren't going to bother with the lettuce sandwiches; they look perfectly delicious! What's

of the rock, a quart glass jar held lump sugar. The smoke of the fire shifted capr

nce. His answering glance was so full of pride and excitement, Martie felt her soul flood with content. Driving home, against the straight-falling spokes of the setting sun, they

surprise

absolutely stunned! But to-day?-no,

e confessed. She wondered if her admi

l be!" she said i

led misc

oment or two in silence, over his whe

son why I shouldn't tell

. When we get all our plans made, then we'll tell 'em, and tur

er? Clifford had his first kiss in the dim old parlour with the gas-brackets that evening; and after a few days he was as fervent a lover

h reserves deep in her being when he put his arms about her. He was never alone with her for even a minute withou

e cool window end of the hallway, patiently going over boxes and boxes of old letters. She had

ildishly widened, dimples struggling at the corners of her demure mouth

I said so to Joe. Oh, Mart, you old darlin

w much that means, and perhaps it's better as it is. I often wish I was constituted as most people seem to be nowadays-forget, and rush on to something else; that's the idea! But I hope you'll be very happy, Martie; you'll certainly have everything in the world to make you happy, but that doesn't always do it, of course. I believe I'll take these letters of Ma's to Aunt Sa

d away. "Just when you're so happy! For Heaven's sake tell me all ab

dding; indeed they were not going to spread the news of the engagement until all their plans were made. Perhaps a week or two befor

over with Lou and Clara, and come to the conclusion that it's all for the best. Poor Lyd, do you remember

y? I used to think Lyd was the loveli

and dimpling; she

e most exciting thing-

stfully tender and gentle with her son. Teddy would not always be first in her considerati

cold, dirty streets, and the shabby, silent mother with her busy, tired hands and her frozen

person who played "jacks" and "houses" with her friends under the lilac trees, and had a "best dress" and loved "Little Women" with a shy passion. Martie foresaw only a pleasant relationship with the child. What she lack

; the kitchen had cost old Polly two or three unnecessary miles of walking every month of her twenty-six years' tenancy. Martie liked the garden best, and the old stables painted white. She loved the rich mi

at his comments, and quoted him to Martie: "He says he's going to

cks at the old walnut desk, talking with Polly in the pantry. She could sow Shirley poppies in the bed beneath the side windows; she could have Mrs. Hu

she felt when they were alone, she wondered what had become of the old Clifford. There was something vaguely offending, something a little undignified, about this fatuous, ea

d to talk about it, to have the conversation always congratulatory and flattering. He

s presently told of it, and Martie's sisters and Rose planned an announcement luncheon f

ngement with her new husband would be. Clifford was the richest man in Monroe. Not a s

was done by almost all the wives she knew: charge, spend little, and when she must have money, approach her husband at breakfast or dinner: "Oh, Clifford, I need about ten dollars. For the man who fixed the surrey, de

d from his pocket and say: "How's seven? You can have more if you want it,

endence amount to, anyway? If I ever had it, I'd p

Cliff?" she asked the child. He rested his little body again

cond's thought he began to twist a white button on her bl

She looked at the child's downca

to her anything that seemed to him especially important or precious,

dearest? I ca

ith you, and have you take me out in the snow again, and have you let me make chocolate custard, the way you a

oed, trying to laug

simply. Martie caught him to her

adour!" she laugh

the old home. Sally, with a train of dancing children, came up every morning after breakfast, and she and Mar

was a baby!" Sally was more apt to say: "I believe I could use this; it's old, b

e patches pinned together! Why should we keep these things? And Lydia's sketch-books, when she was taking lessons, and the old air-tight stove, and Pa's brother's dentist chair-it's hopelessly old-fashioned now! And

t this little table with the leg mended and painted white wouldn't be a bit bad in my hall. I really need a table there, for Joe brings in his case, or

eak something to us; she suspects that ther

Sally, flushing and g

fibre-chamois in them! This box is full of hats; this was my Merry Widow hat; it was always so pretty I hated to destroy it, but I suppose it really isn't much good! I wonder if some poor woman could use it. And these are all old collars of

would be eight again, trotting off to school with Sally, and promising Ma to hold Len's hand when they crossed Main Street. How clean and trim, how ready for the day, she had felt, wh

in the new. This little table for the porch, this extra chair for the maid's room, this mirror, this mattress, this ladder. The older sister reserved enough furniture to fi