Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-12-30
and saying goodnight in true lover

style.
mot bit p was the smiling reply.
'tAnd was it true. Faith. that rich
fellow boarding here fell in love with
you and offered himself P'
Who told you that, sir ?" asked
Faith. trying to look stern.
"Oh, a little bird in the shape of Mrs.
Jones told Mrs. Hill one day that she
guessed it would be match. etc. |
happened accidentally to hear it; but /
heard later that he had cleared out.
Why didn't you marry him, Faithie ? !"
g No matter, sir; don't ask imperti-
nent questions! Oh, John, couldn't
love him!"
So John went away satisfied, and
Faith went to bed and dreamed of cows
and John all night.
"Lor', dear child! 1 s'posed you
Knowed it, since you an he's been en-
gagged! Wall, now, I'm beati To think
you hain't foun' it out yet Land alive!
the deacon allus told me he'd the gift
er gabi He'll nigh about kill me, he
an John together! You see his health
Civ out when he came from furrin parts,
and the doctor ordered him to work on
farm, and hev plenty of outdoor lite.
And frien' of the deacon's he sent him
up here, and the boy made us promise
not to betray his secret, cause he didn't
keer about being joked about it, arter he
went back to the city, by parsel of his
sty lish frien's, you know. 30 me and
the deacon KEEP still as micel But Lori!
he amt no more farm hand than you
be. He is all well agin now, and me
and the deacon's rale sorry to part with
him. He'll be back tonight, and I
don't know what he'll do bout my tell
ing you"
Faithie, I've something to tell you.
Come out under the trees"
It was John Grey who spoke, and
Faith looked up from her desk, where
she was busily setting copies for the
morrow's work, to see her lovers head
poked in through the small window at
the other end of the room.
The scholars were all gone, and Faith
gave the owner of the head permission
to enter in at the other door.
Tell me here,' she replied. "But l
knew all the time. sir, what you have
to tell me. John, I'm ashamed of you'll
| didn't think there was any deceit
about your nature, and, after what
learned this morning, I'm astonished!'
The gray eyes were scarcely as stern
in expression as the severe words war
ranted, and john stoored for kiss,
but the girl put him away.
Excuse me, sir. | engaged myself to
one of Deacon Hills farm hands, not to
you, a gentleman of elegant leisure !
Really, hardly know you in this grand
suit of broadclothl | feel quite
ashamed of myself with only this hum
bic dress on-ths regular 'schoolmarm'
dress, you seew
John laughed, and, without further
parley, coolly lifted the dainty figure
from its throne Of state, and bore it out
under the elm trees.
There he made ample apology for his
fault, owning to the fact that he had at
the last restrained from confessing his
true social position because he wanted
to discover if there might be anything
about him-outside of his wealth =
worth the love of a girl like Faith.
Bat now have the proud satisfac-
ton of knowing that my darling does
really love me for myself; and we will
just t Ike things into our own hands,
dear, and be married soon. Will we
not P"
But, john" began Faith, blush
ing at his haste.
But John interrupted her.
There g just one more thing, Faithie,
that you must forgive me for; you are
mistaken about my name. 1t isn't
John Grey any longer, but Howard
Bake, if you please"
Faiths astonishment was something
too great to admit of description here;
but yet it did not equal the amazement
of uncle Dick and his family when a
joint letter from the lovers reached them
soon after.
"Just ike herw exclaimed Anna.
: Il is simply disgusting!"
"Pshawl just Faiths luck! If
Howard Blake had kept his promise to
papa and come here this nonsense would
not Lave happened"
But when in the sweet, mild October
weather, Faith and her husband started
for Europe, the young wife put out Of
her heart for ever all the old cares and
sorrows; for, though she had sown in
tears, she had reaped in joy and glad
ness, and verify her harvest-time was
ricn in fruition.