The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-30
BIDDEFoRD, Me-, FRIDAY

4
and holding It with soft pressure. HI
added:
You need some one to care for ant
cherish you, as they would bird or gen
anything that Is rare and precious. Dc
you know 1t, little Faithp'
i think II was his tone, moro than his
words, that made my hear thrill with 9
new yes, strangely sweet sensation; yet, ]
only said very quietly:
But you are not going yet, Mr.. Liston'
/ think hear the sound of the carriages
already. Surely, you will stay and see
motherp'
Not tonight he answered. Then with
n seriousness of manner that made his
words seem too deep for mere compliment
he added:
This evening has been to me of such
rare enjoyment, that / cannot bear to mar
II with the sight of another face, or the
sound of another voice. Good night. My
respects to your mother, Miss Faith. /
shall call on her very soon. Once more,
goodnight
And with smile, bow. one last pres
sure of the hand, he was down the steps,
and away.
The sound of his retreating footsteps
was lost in the noise of the approaching
carriages. and, rs they drew up to the
door, descended in time to receive into
my arms Carries little figure, heavy with
sleep, and to feel the Tightening clasp of
her arms about my neck, rs she nwoke to
the consciousness Of my presence.
oh darlin' Fay! she murmurcd drowsi-
ly, "rm 50 glad. l wanted you 50 all
day.
But rs I bore her in and laid her upon
the sofa she sunk into n heavy sleep. Then
l ran back to the door.
% Faith said Charlie, little impa-
tiently, for mercy's sake don't ask so ma
ny questions, all in breath, or rather,
don't ask any at all until tomorrow. We
are the forlornest party you ever encoun-
tered. Willie, Lucie, and Jarre have
slept in concert for the last mile, and Bess
and Tom have quarreled the whole way
oh BeSsm exclaimed in astonishment
1T seems so strange to me that such q day
should end in quarrel
well, Faith said Bess, 'ho's been so
cross. Come into tho parlor. that's good
girl. and help me off with my things.
Well, had right pleasant time, after
all. But just TO think-the young-law-
his name is---didn't come af-
ter all. Wasn't II too prOvoking?
Indeed, / should think il was,' / tried
to say, sympathizingly. 'Andhc's so very
pleasant, too
PLEASANT she cried, turning with look
of amazcmcnt. why, Fay Dcvinc, how
do you know? You never laid your eyes
on himr
Yes, but l have, though. He spent the
afternoon and evening here"
We'll, never! Mother, just hear this.
While we've been frctting ourselves to
death over the non-arrival of our guest,
Faith has been quietly entertaining him Mt
home. It's enough to provoke saint!'
And, by way of establishing her claim
to that title, Bcss went off to bed in fit
of the sull<s.
You shall tell us about 1t, my daugf-
ter, i'm the morning. Just now we are all
tired and cross, and want to 90 to bed rs
soon rs possible And she followed the
procession of weary children that were
slowly dragging themselves up stairs.
But, mother dear, do tell me, have you
had nice timcp
"A delightful time, my daughter she
said, softly, made doubly SO by the re-
of her to whose love / owe II
all. And you, have you been hnppyP
%, mother, dear, 1t has been the happi-
est day in all my life. And now / know
you have enjoyed 1t, am so much more
than repaid for my sacrifice
And so, indeed, IL was. Not only be-
cause the petty sclf-deniai of tho morning
had been my first step in that path of sac
rifice which, sooner or later, all human
feet mtist learn TO tread-not only because
1t had knit my mothers heart and mine
in bonds of closer and firmcr affection
not only because II had taught me that our
greatest trials may often prove blessings
in disguise, and therefore always to hope
and trust; but because (hayc you not
guessed It alreadyD the friendship COM
menced that morning beneath the shadow
of the old arbor, ripcncd in time into the
true, earnest, and protecting love, which
makes mo. mt this moment, the very hap
picSt little wife upon whom the sun shines.