Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-06
NO. Oil.
Gales and Sketehss.
From tue eunoAy Afternoon Magazine.
A BIT OF FLOTSAM.
BY MARY A. p. sTANsBURY.

zone day"
"A few Scotch songs that nv grand.
mother taught me. She was once High.
land ltssie'"
His face flushed with pleasure.
80 let me hear one. pleased" he said.
81 love the Scotch so dearlyr
And so Faith would sing. with no hes
itaion or bashful apologies. in voice
sweet and unframed as a wood birds.
The charm of the child was in her un-
consciousness. She never seemed to
think OF herself The question with her
was only, Can l help or peasep" and
then she always gave her best, whether
much or little.
By-and-by Harry could get out upon the
shore in the sunshine, with Faith to carry
his camp chair and books. Then when
he had grown far loo strong to need such
assistance, he would call her with him
still And so the weeks wore on, and l
saw it ALL yet in my foolish blindness
had no thought of anything beyond. You
will wonder. as l do now, but not the
iaintest idea OF any possible love-making
between these two had ever crossed nv
mind. 10 me, the bars of social position,
education, all the circumstances and rela-
tons OF the two lives, were absolutely
impossible.
So you may guess how startled was,
when, going out to join them one evening,
on the veranda, | saw Faith sitting on q
low stool at Harry's feet. He had both
her hands in his and was looking down
into her eyes. | stopped, struck through
by a sudden revelation. As they heard
my step, Faith would have risen hastily,
but Harry put his hand on her head:
"Sit still, !'' he said gently, then
to me, "Come and sit here with u.s."
Dear friend" he went on in that rich.
tender voice OF his, 'of all the kindness
you have shown a lonesome boy the send
ing Tor this little nurse was best of all.
Can You not guess why have grown SO
strong and well againp She has prom
lsed to take care OF me always"
could not answer. Over and over ]
said TO myself. why should i not be
glad There is no man of whom SO
sweet girl as Faith is unworthyr' And
yet there was an instinct of trouble at my
heart which had learned to trust. was
painfully confused, and all the time ielt
Faiths clear eyes scan my face.
II am taken by SURPRISE" stam-
mered at last; Il hope you may be very
happy My voice sounded cold in nv
ears, and an awkward silence fell upon US
which Harry was first to break.
''lt is late, Faith" he said, sand we
must be up betimes tor our morning walk
ii We are to see Roaring Rock at half
tide" He touched her forehead lightly
with his lips, and with a pleasant good
| night he lett us.
His footsteps were scarcely still when
Faith turnedsan caught my hands. Her
own were hot and trembling.
| ~ ou think it is wrong, Mrs. Fairly ~
she said in "a haltwhi>per, "Yes, yes /
saw it in your face He is so noble and
grand, AS tar above me as a star. Do not
mink cannot see il, too. All the world
Will wonder and pity him. Yet he SAYS
that l-poor ignorant lam comfort and
strength to him that he cannot do with
out me. WHAT shall doa y, Mrs. Fair
ly," she hid her face in my lap and burst
INTO uncomfortable weeping, II love him
So"
My whole heart went out to the child,
and Tor the time all any misgivlngs seemed
10 vanish. We're not both souls equal in
Gods sghtP Why should she not take
This gilt freely, as 1t was otferedp
How could you help it, cbild?" | said
warmly. - Love him and be happy. 1t
is your right"
She hlled her head GREATNESS. The
tears on her flushed cheeks glistened in
the moon beams. and her great, dark eyes
were iull OF Il wonderful light.
| My right" she repeated softly, as if
to herself. My righlP"
Yes" | SAID, as kissed her, "your
right And now you shall worry your
head no more with ioolisn fears and fam
cies. Good night"
There was IA letter next day from Mrs.
Gray, the English lady, announcing her
speedy arrival with her daughter and
maid Harry's room must be given up.
but he begged so hard not 10 be sent away
enlireIy tuat had The south slore-chamber
cleared aud II cot put IN ii, and Faith made
| The room bright and neat with white
muslin hangiugs, aud Pots ot pansies aud
carnations IN the windows. 1 scarcely
knew The child. there was sucn an aiiy
oitheness about her. Fliuing here and
there like bird. singing at her work, she
! seeined II sunbeam Win voice. 1 love
TO think OF those few happy days. My
own youth came back TO me- as watched
her.
We all dreaded the coming of the new
guests. 1t seemed a strange caprice of
Faiths, but she would not rest until she
udu eAdCtcu solcuu p.Ouiisc iTom marry
and me that no one should be told Of their
| engagement, and that she should be al
lowed To assist me rs usual.
"Wty, child, The secret will surely be
guessed" said.
! mo, no." she answered. "it Is ours.
could not write it even to my mother, |
| must wait and whisper 1t in her carr
When Edilh Gray walked with sway
ing, wllowy grace into the breakfast
room behind her mother on that first
ing, slender. shapsly figure In white
morning-dress, her head rising from the
lace neck irill stately aud lair as q lily,
and crowned by waving masses OF shin
ing. golden-brown hair, the rose and
white Of her face pure and clear rs the
Inning OF u she'll, her blue eyes darkened
by the shadow OF their heavy curied LASH
es, knew that l had never before seen
50 beautiful q woman.
As advanced to present Harry. swim
tCortinusd on fourth pAge.I