L M Montgomery Short Story

Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in Prince Edward Island on November 30, 1874. She achieved international fame in her lifetime, putting Prince Edward Island and Canada on the world literary stage. Best known for her "Anne of Green Gables" books, she was also a prolific writer of short stories and poetry.

This collection features those stories.

This episode is called Miss Sally's Letter.

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Transcript

Welcome to sleep stories with Steph It is time to relax. And fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Close your eyes. And feel yourself sink into the support beneath you. And let all the worries of the day go. Drift away. This is your time. And your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose. And let it out with a long sigh. That's it! There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Happy listening. Miss Sally's letter. Miss Sally peered sharply at Willard Stanley, First through her gold-rimmed glasses, Then over them. Willowed continue to look very innocent. Joyce, Meanwhile, Got up abruptly and went out of the room. So you've bought that queer little house with the absurd name? Said Miss Sally. You surely don't call Eden an absurd name. Protested Willard. I do for a house, Particularly such a house as that. There are no Edens on earth and what are you going to do with it? Alone. Miss Sally looked at Willard suspiciously. No, The truth is I'm going to be married in the fall and I want to fix up Eden for my bride. Oh. Miss Sally drew a long breath. Partly of relief and partly of triumph. She looked over at Joyce, Who returned with an expression that said, I told you so. But Joyce, Whose eyes were cast down, Did not see it. And went on Willard calmly, I want you to help me fix it up Miss Sally. I don't know about such things and you know everything. You'll be able to tell me just what to do to make Eden habitable. Miss Sally looked as pleased as ever. It was the delight of her heart to plan, Decorate and contrive. Her own house was a model of comfort and good taste, And Miss Sally was quite ready for new worlds to conquer. Instantly Eden assumed importance in her eyes. She might be sorry for the misguided bride who was rashly going to trust her life's keeping to a man. But she would see at least the poor thing should have a decent place to begin her martyrdom in. I shall be pleased to help you all I can, " she said graciously. Miss Sally could speak very graciously when she chose, Even to men. You would not have thought she hated them. But she did. In all sincerity too. She had brought up her niece to hate and distrust them as well. Only she tried to. But Miss Sally was troubled at times with an uncomfortable suspicion that Joyce did not hate and mistrust men quite as thoroughly as she ought. The suspicion had recurred several times that summer since Willard Stanley had come to take charge of the biological station at the harbour. Miss Sally did not distrust Willard. She merely distrusted him on principle and on Joyce's account. Nevertheless, She was rather nice to him. Miss Sally, Dear, Trim, Dainty Miss Sally, With her snow-white curls and her big girlish black eyes. Couldn't help being nice. Even to a man. Willard had come a great deal to Miss Sally's. If it were Joyce he were after, Miss Sally blocked his schemes with much enjoyment. For he never saw Joyce alone. He did not make much apparent headway. But now all danger was removed, Miss Sally thought. Because he was going to be married to someone else, So Joyce was safe. Thank you, " said Willard. I'll come about tomorrow afternoon. You and I will take a proll round Eden and see what must be done. I am ever so obliged, Miss Sally. I wonder who he's going to marry? " said Miss Sally. When he had gone. Pull, Go. I don't see why you should pity her, " said Joyce, Not looking up from her embroidery. There was the merest tremor in her voice and Miss Sally looked at her sharply. I pity any woman who's foolish enough to marry, " she said. No man's to be trusted, Joyce, No man. They're all ready to break a trusting woman's heart for the sport of it. Never you allow any man the chance to break yours, Joyce. I shall never consent to you marrying anyone, So mind you don't take any such notion into your head. There won't be any danger anyway, For I have instilled correct ideas on this subject into you from childhood. Bad girls are such fools. I know, Because I was one myself once. Of course I would never marry without your consent Aunt Sally said Joyce, Smiling faintly. Joyce loved Miss Sally with her whole heart. Everybody did who knew her. There was never a more lovable creature than this pretty old maid who hated the men so bitterly. That's a good girl, " said Miss Sally approvingly. I've been a little afraid this Willard Stanley was coming here to see you. But my mind is set at rest on that point now. I should help him fix up his dollhouse with a clear conscience. An evening deep. Miss Sally sniffed and tripped out of the room to hunt up a furniture catalogue. Meanwhile Joyce sighed, Let her embroidery slip to the floor. I'm afraid Willard's plan won't succeed, " she murmured. And I'm afraid Aunt Sally will never consent to our marriage. And I can't and won't marry him unless she does, For she would never forgive me and I couldn't bear that. I wonder what makes her so bitter against men. She's so sweet and loving, Otherwise. . . What will she say when she finds out? Dear little Aunt Sally, I couldn't bear to have her angry with me. The next day Willard came up from the harbour and took Miss Sally down to see Eden. It was a tiny, Cornery, Gabled, Grey house, Just across the road and down a long, Twisted, Windy lane. No one had lived in it for four years and it had a neglected out at elbow appearance. It is rather a box of a place, Isn't it? " said Willard slowly. I'm afraid she will think so. But it's all I can afford just now. I dream of giving her a palace someday, Of course. But we'll have to begin harmonically. Do you think anything can be made of it? It's pretty small, " said Miss Sally. And the yard is small too. And there were far too many trees and shrubs all messed up together. They must be thinned out. And that pale ink taken down. But I think a good deal can be done with it. Let's just see the inside. Willard unlocked the door and showed me Sally over the place. Miss Sally poked and pried and sniffed and wrinkled her forehead. And finally stood on the stairs and delivered her ultimatum. This house can be done up very nicely. Paint and paper will work wonders, But I wouldn't paint it outside. Leave that pretty silver weather grey and plant vine to run over it. Hmm, We'll see what we can do. It is small. Kitchen, A dining room, A living room and two bedrooms. You won't want anything stuffy. You can do the painting yourself, Willard, And I'll help you hang the paper. How much can you spend on it? We'll outname the sum, But it was not a large one. We all make do, Used Miss Sally. There's such satisfaction getting as much as you possibly can out of a dollar, And twice as much as anyone else would get. I enjoy that sort of thing. This will be a game who will play it with the right good will. But I do wish you would give the place a sensible name. I think Eden's the most appropriate name in the world, Laughed Willard. It'll be Eden for me when my wife comes. I suppose that's what you tell her when she believes every word used, Miss Sally. We'll find it out together, Should we laugh. Tenderly. Prose, Rightly written and read, Is sometimes as beautiful as poetry. For the next two months Miss Sally was happy. Even Willard himself was not more keenly interested in Eden and its development than Miss Sally. Miss Sally did wonders with his money. She was an expert at bargain hunting and her taste was excellent. Willard did the painting under Miss Sally's watchful eye and they hung the paper together. Then they made trips to town or junketed over the country in search of furniture and dishes. And day by day the little house blossomed more. Day by day, Miss Sally's interest in it grew. She began to have a personal affection for its quaint rooms and their adornments. Moreover, In spite of herself. She felt a growing interest in Willard's bride. He never told her the name of the girl he hoped to marry. And Miss Sally never asked it. But he talked of her in a great, Shy, Reverent, Tender way. He certainly seems to be very much in love with her. Miss Sally told Joyce one evening when she returned. I'd believe him if it were possible for me to believe in a man. Anyway, She'll have a dear little home. I've almost come to love that hidden house. Why don't you come down to see it, Joyce? I'll come someday, I hope. So joy slightly. I think I'd rather not see it until it's finished. Willard is such a nice boy. Miss Sally. Suddenly. I don't think I ever did him justice before. The finer qualities of his character come out in the simple, Homely little things he does. He's certainly very thoughtful. I suppose he might make a good husband, As husbands go. If he doesn't know the first thing about managing. His wife will need to be a good manager. I don't know what they'll do otherwise. She won't like the way we've done up Eden. Willard says she will because he thinks she's perfection herself. Maybe she'll have dreadful taste. She'll want the lace curtains and the nightmare of a pink rug that Willard admired. I dare say she'd rather have a flaunting set of china with rosebuds on it than that dear old dull blue I picked out. But I got it for a song at the Aldenbury auction. I stood in the rain for two mortal hours to make sure of it. It really was worth all that Willard spent on the dining room put together. I declare it'll break my heart! If she sets to work altering anything. In another week Eden was finished. Miss Sally stood in the tiny hall and looked about her. Well, It's done. She said with a sigh. I've enjoyed fixing it up tremendously. And now I feel my occupation is gone. I hope you're satisfied, Willard. Satisfied's too mild a word, Miss Sally. I'm delighted. I knew you could accomplish wonders, But I never hoped for this. This is the dearest, Quaintest, Sweetest little home that ever waited for a bride. When I bring her here. Oh, Miss Sally, Do you know what that thought means to me? Miss Sally looked curiously at the young man. There was a far away shining look in his eyes as if he saw a vision. When will she be coming, Willard? She-O. The flush went out of Willard's face, Leaving it pale and determined. That is for her and you to say, " he answered steadily. Said Miss Sally. What have I got to do with it? Great deal, For unless you consent you'll never come here at all. Without Stanley, It shouldn't be Sully. Who is the girl you mean to marry? The girl I hope to marry is Joyce. Miss Sally, Please don't say anything until you hear me out. Willard came close to her and caught her hands in a boyish grin. Joyce and I have loved each other ever since we met, But we despaired of winning your consent. Joyce will not marry me without it. I thought if I could get you to help me fix up my home, You might get so interested and acquainted with me, You'd trust me with Joyce. Please, Miss Sally. I love her truly and I know I can make her happy. If you don't, Eden shall never have a mistress. I'll shut it up just as it is and leave it sacred to the dead hope of a bride that will never come to it. You've tricked me, " Miss Sally said. You've tricked me into loving this house so much, I cannot bear the thought of it never living. Well, You'll have to have Joyce, I suppose. And I believe I'm glad it isn't a stranger who's to be the Mistress of Eden. My Joyce won't hanker after pink rugs and lace curtains, And her taste in china is the same as mine. In one way, This is a great relief. But it's a fearful risk to think you may make my dear child miserable. You must know I won't, Miss Sally. I'm not really such a bad fellow as that, Am I? You're a man and I've had no confidence whatsoever in men, Declared Miss Sally, Wiping some very real tears from her eyes with a very unreal sort of handkerchief. One of the cobwebby affairs of lace her dangerous demanded. Why have you such a rooted distrust of men? Demanded Willard curiously. Somehow it seems so foreign to your character. I suppose you think I'm a perfect crank. Said Miss Sally, Sighing. Well, I'll tell you why. I have a very good reason. A man broke my heart and embittered my life. I've never spoken about it to a living soul. But if you want to hear about it. I'll tell you. I was a young girl of 20 when I met him, And just as foolish as all young girls are. He was very handsome and I thought him. . . Wow. I loved him, Yes, With all my heart. With all there was of me to love him. He made me love him. He deliberately set himself to win my love and for a whole summer he flirted with me. Then he went away. He had been summoned home by his father serious illness, But I thought he would write. And I never heard from him or saw him again. He'd tired of his plaything obviously and he'd flung it aside. That is all. When my sister died and gave me her baby, I determined to bring the dear child up safely, Training her to avoid the danger I'd fallen into. Well, It seems I failed. But perhaps it will be right. Perhaps there are some men who are true, Although. . . Stephen Merritt was false. Stephen who? Demanded Willard abruptly. Miss Sally coloured. I didn't mean to tell you his name. It was a slip of the tongue. Never mind. Just forget it. He was not worthy of remembrance. Let's lock up Heedon now and go home. I suppose you're dying to see Joyce and tell her your precious plot has succeeded. Rilad did not appear to be at all impatient though. He'd relapsed into a brown study, During which he let Miss Sally lock up the house, Then he walked silently home with her. Had Stephen Merritt any sisters, He asked when they got to the door. He had one gene merit. I disliked her and she disliked me. I don't want to talk of her, She was the only woman I ever hated. William stayed with Joyce sobrie for time that night, Miss Sally viewed his departure with suspicion. This was not very lover-like conduct. I daresay he's probably like all the rest. When his aim is attained, The prize loses its value. She said to Joyce. Willard did not return for three whole days. He rushed down to the biological station and drove furiously to catch the evening express. Then, When at last he came, Miss Sally said triumphantly, Joyce is out! I'm glad of it, " said Willard recklessly. It's you I want to see, Miss Sally. I've something to show you. I'd been all the way home to get it. To Miss Sally's surprise, From his pocketbook, Willard drew something folded and creased in yellow that looked like a letter. He opened it carefully and holding it in his fingers looked over it at Miss Sally. My grandmother's maiden name was Jean Merritt, He said deliberately, And Stephen Merritt was my great uncle. He died when I was a child. I've heard my father speak of him often. Miss Sally turned very pale. My uncle never married. He and his sister Jean lived together until her late marriage. I was not very fond of my grandmother. She was a selfish, Domineering woman. When she died, Everything she possessed came to me. As my father, Her only child, Was then dead. In looking over a box of old papers, I found an old love letter. It was signed Stephen, So I guessed my great uncle had been the writer. But I had no idea to whom the sally was that it was written. He dropped the letter at Miss Sally's lap. Then he went away. Miss Sally turned pale. To my dearest Sally, The letter read. She continued reading the Frank Mania Vowel of Love. The offer of marriage. If she would write and tell him yes. But if she did not and could not love him. . . He would wish to spare her the pain of putting her refusal into words, So she did not need to write. When Willard and Joyce came back into the Twilight Room. . . They found Miss Sally still sitting by the table. Her head leaning pensively on her hand. She had been crying. The cobwebby handkerchief lay beside her, Wrecked and ruined forever. But she surprisingly looked very happy. I wonder if you know what you've done for me? She said to Willard. This means everything. You've taken away my humiliation. And restore to me my pride of womanhood. Stephen really loved me. He was not false. He was what I believed him to be. Nothing else matters now. I'm very happy. God bless you, Dears, " she said softly. I believe you will be happy too, And your love for each other will always be true and faithful and tender. Willard, I give you my dear child in perfect trust and confidence. Then, With her yellowed love letter clasped to her heart, And a rapture shining in her eyes. Miss Sally. Left the room.