Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-31
4qisftllarreons.
PATSY.
81 rRAxcEs ;. Drn-


CONTINUED from yesterdsy.)
Returning to the house after dusk. and
hidden BY the shrubbery a. they APP
prosahed the porch. Miss Storer was
startled N hear . woman saying in . loud
key.
Storers root and branch. and the child Is
bern or my name amt Slilissy Bates.
"'Tain't likely that one o that stingy
family has grown ~ very benevolent as u
fetch up a child"
Miss Storer waited to hear no more.
but fed TO her chamber and put Patsy tn
bed. Her first impulse WAS to come for
ward and refute the SANDER. but conscious
Of her own purity, and sure that the jew
cts would give no heed tn the idle tales
Of . village gossip, she concluded to let
the matter rest. But as time passed by
she could not fail to notice that tine hum
BILE people around were beginning to re-
gard her with suspicion. Ayert~d eyes
took the place Of friendly glances. and
rambles about the town ceased 10 be a
pleasure. So it happened that the two
went more and more frequently u the
sea shorey and this reserve only famed
the fires OF distrust into fiercer burning.
So long as farmer Jewett and his wife be-
lieved in her integrity she did not care.
and their loyalty showed no signs Of
wavering.
A week passed. and Melissy Bates cir
f:ulated her reports about 1.-THE Boston
woman" SO indusiriously that they came
TO be generally believed. The whole
town was in fever of excitement, and
81, Il a. q, a.
late against keeping the strangers.
Even those who were loudest in their
denunciations demurred somewhat. They
had not expected such summary dealing
with the offender. but reverence for the
parsons judgment carried the day. and
the timid ones were only too glad TO wash
their hands of all responsibility.
As Miss Storer and Patsy we're seldom
at the farmhouse in these days, it became
necessary for the Rev. John Worthen to
seek them in their strolls on the beach.
This he did with the utmost faiihfulness,
while the good people went back, one to
his farm, another to his merchandise, and
the housewives to their accustomed tasks,
in simple faith that the minister would set
matters right.
Mr.. Jewett was immovable. "No."
said he, bringing his clenched fist down
on the fence as he talked with a nighbor,
''all creation can't maze me b'lieve none
o. these yarns"
At length il was deemed best to call to-
gether q few brethren in the church and
see what the minister would advise. The
country parson was a tribunal to which
everything was referred, and the people
had the utmost confidence in his good
sense and piety. He listened gravely to
their charges, and then said that he had
watched the young woman and little girl
with some interest since they came to
town. and if the brethren thought it his
duty to do SO he would try to show the
former the error of her WAYS.
He was noble man, beloved by all his
people. Strangers wondered that he was
content TO remain in this obscure village
but those who remembered the day when
he laid his wife and infant daughter under
the daisies. understood the secret of his
staying. He noticed the newcomers the
first sabbath they attended service. and
the look in the child's face as he distribu-
ted the elements at communion-a sight
she had never seen before haunted him
strangely. Something in the depths of
the brown eyes awoke feelings that he
supposed were buried in the graves on the
hillside, and now as he sought the strangers
from day to day on the seashore, he had
purpose Of his own besides executing the
commission of his people.
August merged into September and still
they delayed returning to the stifled streets
Of the city. Sitting one afternoon on a
favorite rock. with Patsy playing at a
little distance. MIR. Worthen took letter
from his pocket and said to his companion.
~ have some friends in Boston who
have been writing me about you. Would
you like to know what they sayp"
'.Nothing bad. hope" she answered
quickly, for the distrust in the village had
made her sensitive on the point OF repu-
tation.
Gould any one speak evil of you,
LydiaP"
He did not mean to say it, but the words
leaped to his lips and the name escaped
him before he was aware.
..They do. they have - she cried pas
sionately. burying her face in her hands.
II know it," he said gently, drawing
the dropping head down to his shoulder,
land I'm to protect you from the strife OF
tongues, If your allow me-"
And the woman o. business" who had
battled bravely tor herself and others
since early girlhood. found it very sweet
to be folded to the heart of this strong,
good man. The sense of being cared for
was so delightful that she nestled down
by his side in deep content while he told
the story OF the "church meeting and
read the letter from Boston. Not only
were the cruel stories circulated by Miss
Bates proved utterly false, but the
testimony to Lydia's deeds of love and
self.sacrifice among the poor were so
overwhelming that she begged him not
to read any more.
.Whai report shall you make to the
peoplep" she asked at length. looking up
in his face with mischievous smile.
Il shall say that the trustworthy state
ments of your capability and excellence
have led me to engage you as a house,
keeper for the parsonage" he replied.
bending over the upturned face.
''And Patsyp'
''Shall 60 too," he added. sealing the
compact with long. long kiss
There. wife. knew twas all 3 con-
founded lie" calculated Farmer Jewett
When the Denounaent was made public
..but the parson may thank us for bringin'
him sech streak o. good luck collage