Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-12-30

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rupted his wife with" Not word
more, Jerushy. The gift of gab'll be
the death of things yet"
And the old lady always subsided
after that speech, which, to be sure, she
had heard so often, il was a wonder she
ever forgot it.
Meanwhile, without knowing the
state of her own little warm heart so
far as John Grey was concerned, Faith
yet knew it well enough to be sure that,
Notwithstanding she had sincere liking
and respect for the young man who was
wealth at her feet this brother of the
only intimate friend she possessed
amongst the boarders under Mrs. Jones'
roof-she could not and never could
love him, and therefore his attentions
hurt and grieved her beyond measure.
And so it happened that one day
one sweet day, when all the earth was
jubilant and glad in sunshine, as Faith
stood leaning upon the gate, weary with
her walk from school, and pausing a
great old elms growing like sentinels
beside the gate, she had to put her
thoughts of the young man into kind
but horest words, and tell him, when he
found her there and whis eered his love
could never be her lover. And when
he left her she knew she would see him
no more.
As the August days drew near the end
of the month many boarders took flight,
and the old farmhouse was nearly
empty.
"Shall you be home to tea tonight,
Miss Faith?' asked Mrs. Jones, one
morning, as Faith was starting for
school. "'Cause I'm goin' to hev that
there shortcake you like so well.
Thought I'd tell ye, fer like as not you'd
stop to Deacon Hills; you've sorter took
a notion to the old lady lately, haven't
yerP'
Faith laughed.
"Why, yes, Mrs. Jones, she's SO kind
to me-almost as kind as you are, and
she seems so lonely, now that the deacon
is away, that / promised I'd take tea
with her this afternoon. But can't /
have piece of shortcake on my return,
pleaseP"
I" Bless your pretty facet" replied Mrs.
Jones' dozen if you ike And as
Faith started up the road the good
woman thought to herself that st 'ud
be strange eff some of the boys up to the
deacon's didn't take hankerin' arter
that gal, with her takin' ways and sichp'
So Faith took tea with Mrs. Hill, and
the evening passed away pleasantly until
the full September moon at last reminded
the girl that her early bedtime was
near, and M RS. Jones would want to be
:. shutting up" And presently she and
John Grey were walking down the hill
in the moonlight togeter.
who was more like mother to her than
even her own aunt had been, and spoke
gratefully of the kindness she had met
with since leaving home.
The sweet voice grew sweeter SIS it
took tone of sadness (for Faiths heart
was yearning for some news from her
uncle, ana no letter had come to her for
weeks), and John saw that tears were
sparkling like diamonds in her eyes and
on the lashes as she spoke. He felt that
he could no longer contain himself, or
hold back the words which lately had
burned upon his tongue. That Faith
held him in high regard he could not
doubt. And he could not but hope that
a warmer feeling was hiding there in
that dear heart of hers, if only he could
have chance to search for it through
the brown eyes which were dearer than
any eyes in the world to him. And at
last he laid his hand on her arm and
asked her to wait one little moment
while he asked her question.
81 am going away next week, Miss
Faith," he said, and it would be q
comfort to me if knew / had a right to
carry your friendship with me. Please
tell me if am worthy to offer you
mine"
Faith felt her heart beat quickly. She
looked at the tall, manly young fellow
who stood before her, with his blue.
honest eyes looking straight into her
own. She looked at the coarse straw
hat on his well-tormed, fair haired head,
and did not fail also to notice how
coarse the suit of clothes he wore, but
they were neat and clean and whole,
and she knew that despite his poverty,
his hard life of honest toll in sun, wind
and rain, John Grey was every inch a
man, and as such worthy of the friend
ship he asked of her. Oh, what q dull
feeling her heart already acknowledged
in the simple anticipation of his going
away!
Yes, indeedi he was welcome to her
warmest. truest friendship, and she
answered his question frankly as she
looked up at him.
"And / am glad of your friendship
also, John, = she added, simply.
John drew nearer, and he held out
his hand
Faith, look at me. Do you not
guess, do you not see that it is more
than mere friendship am giving youp
Oh, Faith, Faith, your name has laid
deep in my heart for SO long that at
length it has become part OF my nature,
and have faith to think that my love
has not been unnoticed by you, dear,
an6 that perhaps in time you may let
me have a right tol lay that dear head
of yours just where your name has en-
craven itself. Faith, don't turn away |!
Tell me if / am right in trusting and
hopingP"
Faith answered, and ere she had quite
finished her reply pair of strong
arms had clasped her closely to strong
heart, and the words were smothered on
her lips.
"One thing more, darling. said John,
after moments silence-a sudden fear
entering his heart" tell me if you love
me just for myself alone?n And he
looked at her wouderingly.
Why. John, dear, what is there but
yourself to lover"
"TrEe enough, darling, but l was
only afraid lest, because you had been
SO sad and lonely since your mother
died, you might imagine you love me,
when, after all, you are only being very
kind to poor chap like me-"
Well, DEAR" replied Faith, half
ready to cry or laugh, she didn't know
which; do you know I don't really
believe 1 knew | loved you until you