13 it keeps gong and going!!!

Nathan sat up, reached out a hand to help her up. "I have to go, Than."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lily."
"No, Than," she avoided his eyes "not tomorrow but the day after." Martha Lily waved goodbye as she Merrily trip her way down the path toward her home. Nathan gather up the basket his socks and shoes and headed for the boarding house just as the first stars pop out.

Nathan woke to rain pounding the window. His mood fit the weather perfectly. taking up a book he found he could not concentrate the words became muddled tossing it aside he tried to write some letters but all he could write was Martha Lily over and over he gave up and put down the pen. Finally after pacing a while he decided to visit the small town that he grew up in. He found his umbrella he headed out the door the rain reminded him of Martha and how she would want to dance in it.

Entering a store his eye was drawn to a small music box he instantly picked it up opening it he found a small figure twirling around to the song adelvice (sorry can't spell) he thought how Martha had danced that first morning he saw her he had to buy this for her.

12

At his words I jumped up and spun around in pure joy landing with a laugh on the rug in front of the fire. The next day I met the young ones at the door I scooped little Annabelle up and kissed her cheek saying "I'am coming home! we had a jolly old time of it I tell you ,Ian, I have never danced and cheered so much!" Joseph was really a dear sweet man he let me have every Tuesday off. I started in on the house cleaning it all up. Between my pay and Thomas pay we found enough money to buy a little paint.

Martha closed her eyes. Nathan watch her every move waiting for her to continue with her story then he realized she was asleep As the sun kissed her peaceful face and made her shine he found his own eyes growing heavy with sleep. He awoke to find her still asleep with a smile on her face seeing the sun lowering itself in the sky Nathan gently grasped her arm Martha's blue eyes opened wide looking straight into his hazel eyes she smiled wider as she turned on her side and moved her hands to under her head. "I had the most wonderful dream" she spoke in a sleep filled quiet voice.
"What was it Lily where you walking on water?"
"I was hopping from cloud to cloud when I fell through one I was falling, falling, falling then I was floating not falling. I landedon a tree all green with spring buds I sat on a branch when bird flew by and dropped a rose in my lap. It was all so beautiful and real feeling" Martha sat up and took in a deep breath.

11

Worry sprang into my eyes "Is something wrong?"

"Lets go somewhere we can sit and talk. Its about pa" my brother said as he took my elbow and led me to the near by restaurant.

As soon as the coffee was poured he Thomas started talking "Pa threw Annabelle against the wall then when he realized what he did he took off and hasn't returned. Last night the sheriff came by and said they found him dead in the back of the saloon," Thomas said the last part with no emotion. "Martha, I can't care for the children." I bit my bottom lip trying to think of a plan "bring Philip, Amelia, and Annabelle to my house tomorrow we will figure it all out then."

That evening I was darning a sock furiously as I rocked in the rocking chair. "What's gat yourins lip tinight" Joseph spat a woad of tobacco into the fire as he spoke.

"Will you let me bring my siblings here so I can care for them?" I blurted out.
"Don't wanna no mop head littlins' running round hare" he looked at her and then around the house as he bit another chew "But I's spects I kin let ya live at yers home and work fer me"