Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-07
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nothing bot q vision Of my sweet girlb
face tangled about with sea-weed. slimy
with the spume Of the murderous sea.
Faith - answered SLOWLY; do You
not know where Faith tsp You left her
out there to die your promised wife !"
A great wave of pain passed over bis
face. The tips Of his clenched fingers
whitsned against his palm.
AS God hears me.'' he said, al be-
lieved bad Faith in my arms"
He fell back and closed his eyes ]
bent over and kissed him, and the frs,
tears that shed fell on his face.
Some one called my name from across
the passage-way; Miss Gray is better,
and wants you."
went in. Edith Law propped up on
pillows, her pale face turned eagerly
towards the room door.
Come close" she said. al wanted you
to know. Faith gave her life for me. |
chung to the boat, and | heard Mr.. vii.
loughby. cry out, Faith, throw yourself
on my shoulders and hold fast, but for
your life don't touch nv arms felt my
fingers slipping. and | closed my ewes
Then. in an instant, my arms were
wrenched away from the boat and clasped
vhOsShNty oooue SoinCtniUR. i hucW Htt
what / must have tainted then. for
knew no more till woke in this room,
and saw my mothers face -
The tide gave back nv little Faith that
night. Tenderly she was borne up the
long path her light feet had trodden so
often; tenderly we took from her the
dripping garments and laid her, robed in
white. on her own white bed. But no
one but Harry and | saw the little letter.
soaked and blotted. which lay crumped
on her bosom, addressed Harry Will
loughby."
All together we went up with our sad
burden. carrying darkness to the humble
home which she had Frightened for eigh-
teen years.
Harry returned directly to the city, ar
ranging with me to send his luggage after
him. A fortnight after Mrs. Gray and
Edith left me quite alone.
saw Harry once more, two years af-
forwards. He was about to go abroad,
and came to bid me goodbye. A few
months later l received paper with the
announcement of his marriage to Edith
Gray. He has never returned.
Just before be left me he put a little
box in my hand. 1T is Faiths letter.
he said. You may keep it; l have no
need OF it, since every word is written on
my heart"
Shall show you the letter.
My hostess and rose and entered the
cottage together. She unlocked the inner
drawer OF an antique cabinet, and drew
forth small, blue velvet casket. It
opened by spring, and on the delicate
sltln lining lay yellow folded paper.
sttnened and deiaced by the contact Of
salt water.
took 1t reverently in my hand. A
score OF years ago it rose and fell with the
last throb Of heart whose love has van
pushed death = score OF years the young
hand that wrote it had moldered gently
into dust. yet these blurred, halt iilegble
lines. held the last words OF great soul
my DARLING - There Is something
which have wanted to tell you, and
write 1t now, because, IL were to speak
TO you, you might think that was not in
earnest. or that was hunt with you for
something that had happened. which l
am not. nor ever could be, for trust you
with all my heart.
La ~ have been happier than ever believ-
ed anybody could be In this world. As
long rs live, shall be thankful that
have had your love, even though it was
nos mine 10 keep. And am SO glad that
1 know surely that you. yourself, would
never take II away from me. Whatever
happened, you are too noble and true for
that. But. dearest. ! am going to give it |
back to you now not in anger, ali, no.
no nor IN sorrow-at least, none that you |
could help-but fret y, just as you gave
It TO me. Do not think me jealous. 1t is
only that q little while AGO | WAS blinded |
by happiness, but now see clearly.
You are So good that you might ask |
me to reconsider what say |; but, dearest.
do not. for my sake, because l never.
never can, and it would only grieve as
BOTH wall just give you this little note !
and then we will never speak of 1t again,
for since the mistake was our own We will
correct 1t together. and all shall be right
between Us. now and always.
II am sure you will not forget me. May
God bless you forever and ever, and I |
SHALL be. dear Harry. I'LL die.
49, j "1our ioying sister, FAITH.