Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-11-05
J darling quite to himself these long

his darling quite to himself these long
| evenings.
Now, as he entered the yard, his step
grew quicker. All that was shu fling and
uncertain passed out of his manner, and
he walked with the strong sure step of one
sure OF his welcome. Drawing near he
saw her face at the window which the light
illumined-a face of almost ideal beauty.
Not the features SO much when you an
alyzed them; they were far from regular.
But the great blue eyes were full of light
and the color came and went on her cheek
in faint pink flushes, and the skin was
transparent as the most delicate crystal.
Around this wlstful. loving, waiting face
foated mass Of son golden hair, like the
halos you see sometimes in old pictures
around the brow OF saints. When she saw
him the blue eye kindled. the face dsap-
peared from the window and when he
opened the door there she was in front OF
it, with her lips uplined for kiss. The
neighbor stood by, her things on ready to
go, and it struck Dan that there was
look of pity on her face.
You'd better not get too near the child
with those wet things on" she said kindly,
"She's but a weak little thing and she
mustn't get cold"
lie started back remorsefully and did
not go up to the girl again until he had
taken all his wet things off in his own
room and made himself dry and tidy BY
this time the neighbor was gone and he
and Eunice sat down together to the sup
per which waited. He had the keen hum
cry appetite of a workingman. but 1t did
not Keep him from noticing presently that
the food on his chids plate remained un-
touched. lie laid down his knife and fork,
and looked at her anxiously.
Amt you going to keep father company
little deary? You amt never hearty. I
know, but | want TO see you eat some
thing"
She smiled family.
You know you don't let me work anv
more father, and can't get hungry like
You that are busy all day. working for
me-"
Yes. lamb, for you," he repeated, as il
the words gave him pleasure. God
knows its all for you, and he knows how
thankful am 10 have you 10 work for.
Folks talk about my lot bein' hard. but
that is all they know. would change
places with no man. SO long as he leaves
me you, III never doubt that God loves
me-"
The girl sighed and a look of white pain
quivered moment about her lips.
Take me up, father" she said half an
hour after, as they sat before the bright
fire together. No mothers touch could
have been more tender than that rough
III ans as he lifted the little twisted form
into his arms and laid the sunny head care
fully against his bosom. She rested there
for while silently, looking fondly up into
his face, and now and then touching his
cheeks gently with her thin fingers. At
last she said with an air earnest. yet hes
itaiing:
You do believe God loves you, don't
you fathery'
Yes. lamb, yes so long as he leaves
me you"
But. If He didn't leave me-" she per-
sisted, wouldn't you believe that, too,
was because he loved your"
The mans face darkened with a sudden
sick terror.
Look here" said he, in voice of pas
sionate entresty, don't talk about that.
don't. 1t couldn't be love, noway that
wouldn't leave you. You're all I've got
child-all. God don't want to take all
away, does He? That amt love"
The girl stretched her hand up and drew
II around his neck, and laid her face on his
shoulder to hide the tears she could not
keep back. But she made no answer
AMER while he asked a sudden question
breathlessly, as if suspicion had pierced
him with pang too sharp TO be borne
Has DIR. Peters been here today. Eu-
nice?'
She trembled little, but She answered
quietly, Yes. father"
And he says you're goin' does lie, the
way your mother went: Child, don't you
believe him. You shan't 90. My love
will keep you alive. Hasn't 1t kept you
how. fourteen years? Why. the doctor
said you wouldn't live the first time he laid
you on my arms. But you have lived and
here you are. and here I'll hold you.
Hasn't my love kept you so long:"
'Your love and Gods love father-but
what II he thinks. now, that's time Tor me
to 90 home:''
And then they sat on silently. for a long,
still hour, and the wood fire burned bright
ly and now and then brand dropped on
the hearth. and that and the storm outside
were the only sounds which broke the
stiffness, save when. once or twice, q great
gasping sob tore up from Suffling Dams
deep chest. At last he bent over, and
turned his girls face toward him, and
looked in it with eager hungry eyes.
eth be a sorry world. lamb" he said,
"when you're not in it-when there's no
OvAr az tuC uOOl llSuL
burning in the winder."
She looked up, her blue eyes full of
tears.
Father" said she gently, 'don't you
know you've told me sometimes, how the
thought that was waitin' made it easy for
you to get home. when the storm drove
ever so hard, and kept you from wanting
to turn into store or tavernp"
''Yes, lamb, but whatll keep me on my
way when you're gomez he asked bitter
ly.
II thought of the times you'd said that
ather, after DR.. Pet ers went away, to-
day; aud wondered if it wasn't Gods
love that was going to take me to the heav-
emily home, SO as to make It easier Tor you
to come. I'll wait for you there, father;
and won't be lame any more, and III