Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-09-18
A WOInaIl's Fault.

There is something unfathomable in
this thing called love. 1t tyrannizes
over body and soul as no other feelings
can. 1t creates happiness from the
greatest sorrow, light from the deepest
darkness
Through her tears as they parted
shone such light of love that he al
most dared call her wife. She knew
that she was loved in return, and that
knowledge created faith in her heart
which was to endure even to the gates
of Heaven and beyond.
"In year!" he whispered as he left
her.
And she answered:
'I'll wait year-a lifetime J"
When a year had passed and no word
came from him they tried to shake her
faith by creating doubts. Men had no
constancy, they sneered men would
wiring woman's heart and have no
pity. Tears came to her brown eyes,
but again she answered:
"He will come back to mel"
When the one year had become five
the old sailors in the taverns and lofts
shook their heads and said to each 9TH
er that the ship had surely been lost
and that her young captain would new
er be heard of more. Wives felt pity
for the heart longing and waiting thro'
such uncertainty, and they whispered
that it would be no sin to love again.
II shall see him again-he will sure
ly return!" was the answer of Faith,
with her so.rowful face and aching
heart.
The five years became ten. The
brown hair was streakcl with gray and
the girls fair face had become the face
of a woman who carries a sobbing wall
ing misery in her heart. Men showed
their cruelty by seeking to awaken a
new love; women exhibited their bit
terness of heart towards their own sex
by ridiculing her faith. But the light
of a never-dving hcroism burned IN her
ewes rs she answered them.
ale gave me his promise-l am
watching for his ship
And the ten years became twenty
Men and women had gone to Their last
rest until scarcely one was left who re
membered when the lost ship sailed or
who was her captain. But there were
children who had heard her story, and
as they smoothed down the gray hair
and soft hands they whispered
at is 50 sad And he WAS lost at
sea?'
LOST" she answered. "Aye. even
though the whole world told me SO
should wait and watch for him.
And twenty years became thirty
One night when the storm vexed sea
lashed the shore in fury and the men
uttered brief prayers to God as they
turned their faces upon the ships max
, lug brave fight for life, Faith lay dy'
ing.
The end had come. A human heart
troubled and SCARED by waiting i'll vain
! by hoping, to be ever disappointed
was about TO be stillcd. For Il moment
, the storm lullel, just as man draws
long breath before dashing into some
great peril. As it screamed and roared
again in its vengeance, Faith lifted hel
thin hand and whispered.
!; "He is coming back to me! shall
see him again and hear his voice once
more.
The nurse moved nearer and whls-
l pered kind worls, but Faith waved hel
aside and cried out:
I DO not come between u.s. | hear his
. footsteps-he is here! | loved him, anc
;, nv reward has come at last! Let ne
clasp his hand-let me look into his
eyes,!
And again the storm lulled, until the
gale died to sobs and whispers, and th'
. roar of the turf sounded miles away
Before the fury gathered itself for
fresh attack two spirits passed out o
the old house hand in hand and afar OF
the path to Heaven. She had listened
p and his footsteps had at last echoed IL
= her ears. She had watched, and hel
,, glazed eyes had at last been gladdened
Il She had waited, and he had come t(
a be with her through the perils Of the
! dark valley.
Ir WASN'T THE BABY, IT WAS Ma
5 A visitor at the Percy Yerger mansion
q . remarked us he caressed the baby
"a Il 1 voc