Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-03-19
young pythoness upon the tripod, with
Ia. 81 la.,;rx obn,t ha..

ueaueheu ears, anc looking up, III
white-iaced rider saw Faith almost will
in reach. Instinct rather than reaso
taught her TO give sudden pull upo
the name upon the side nearest 10 tn
stump. The horse swervod. Faith
arm was extended, and clasped Judith
waist; the seed rushed onward, and tn
two girls tell to the ground stunned an
senseless.
A while ailsrward-Faiih never knew
how long-she sat up in the darkness
Her clothes were wet. The storm ha,
spent its fury, and the moon was break
ing through the clouds. At first she
could not tell where she was or what lia,
happened.
The girls had not fallen together. Ju
dith' breaking from Faiths clasping arm
had dropped upon the side OF the roat
nearest the road. Faith, clinging to the
little tree. had swayed around and ialler
behind it. As she sat there now, trying
To collect her senses, she heard footsteps
and voices and the rumbling oil wneels.
Here she is. Mr.. Grey" said Kenneth
Narston's voice. "Oh my God !"
Faith saw him drop upon his knees be-
side the body that looked so like death
as the dim rays of the lantern fell upon
it, She saw him place his hand upon
Judilh's heart; she hcar, his murmured
words of thanksgiving rs he found that
she yet lived; she saw him put the hair
hnck from the forehead with tender
touch; she saw him sloop over and kiss
the pale brow, ere he Il,ed The Sigh, fig.
ure in his arms and bore II to Mr.. Grey's
carriage she heard him speak few low
words, and there was something in his
voice That she had never heard before.
The wheels rolled away in the distance,
and Faith got up, went home, and to bed
She had saved a lile-that was nll; for
the next day Judiihh horse was found in
The hptlOm oil the rayine
The next morning Faith was paler
than usual. and there were dark circles
about her eyes.
"Mother." she said, "if you are will
ing, | will put The baby in her carriage,
and draw her up in the woods. can
sew Just Rs well there rs here, audi
can't breathe this morning"
Mrs. Harris looked at her in some sur
prise.
go. il you want to-" she answered.
"But expect the baby'll get all stung up
with the mosquitoes"
Faith went, nevertheless; and before
long Kenneth Marston joined her. He
did no! speak at first. but held out his
hand silently, and looked ut tho patient
''''" face very much as one might lsok
Mt pictured saint
AT last he said.
''W here were you last night, Faith,
when 1 iouna U.A.>.- I'D ,ooL bor
away ?"
Il was there" said Faith. hesitating,
ION the other side OF tho stump"
"And you did not spealt to me- would
not let mo thank you Oh, Faith ~
She did not answer, but her tacs was
hidden in her hands. He removed them
with gentle violence, and held them close
prisoners.
judith has told me all about it," he
whispered. "How brave and noble you
were. and how yoa saved her from cor
tain death. You know where they found
the horse 2n
Faith nodded, shuddering.
"She wants 10 know you better" he
went on. ''She told ME to bring you TO
her to-day, for she is not able to sit up,
and wants TO thank and bless YOU"
Faith shook her head,
You won't refuse. Faith. 1t is not
like you--you who have given her hel
life. See, she has sent you this" he add.
ed. slipping costly ring upon hel
finger as he spoke,
Faith drew 1t OF and laid il in hi:
hand again, while her face grew white
as ashes.
al do not wish to be paid for what
did," she said. while her lips tremblet
painfully.
Paid! Faith, she never dreamed o
such thing. How could she Sh,
sept tho ring simply because she coul'
not come herself. She said, at mean
less than my simplest word, Kenneth
But place it on her finger, and beg her Il
come to me- She has the gentlest
lruest heart, Faith. Do not misjudg
| her.
A shade of color had stolen back t
Faiths face. But at these words
blanched again TO the very lips.
81 cannot wear your wife's ring" sh
said. presently. in low. seli'containe
voice. ut ia impossible. But tell he
am glad that / was able to be of sci
vice to her, and that ] hope there al
many years OF happiness in store for yo
both"
"My wife-ny wifo's ring" exclaime
the Young man. OBTAINING her as she wa
about to leave him. my wife Why
what do you mean, Faith ?"
Her eyes flashed, then fell as they me
his.
81 mean that saved your wife's iii
last night, Kenneth Marston, and
want to go home now. am tired"
She looked so. poor child
I'D ~. Al 4 IN. .al. n