The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-10-08

ribbed door rafting in its socket, and
there she stood revealed upon the threshold
with her hand extended for him to take.
SIT amazes me-" said he when they were
within, shat this should be my little play
mate Faith, who did once pull my hair
when l ventured to tease her."
"Surely, Mr.. Ben edict, your disposition
always was to tease as I remember it."
And as you have heard people say" he
added quickly. 81 know 1 was not held in
great esteem when INVENT away from here,
especially with your father. But he, 1
trust, has forgotten my mischievousness,
and you, you, l know have not regarded
me unkindly."
"Not unless you think it is unkind to
have regarded you not at ALL" said she,
with so much of mischief in her tone that
her words were plainly playful.
"'Twould be unkind if it was so, but 'tis
not. Come, mistress, you now and then
recalled the mischievous Benedict"
"Wel, sometimes, when o were sug-
gested,' she answered demurely
"Suggested? by what, or whom?"
"Of course, if ever l saw a ~maddened,
roaring, tearing bull, then I surely could
not forget my deliverer."
"And saw you many such?"
"One."
"Then you nave thought of me but once"
"Once more, perhaps"
"When?"
"When, by chance 1 passed by the old
well in your fathers orchard"
"The old WELL" said he, thoughtfully.
"What was there in that that suggested
me?D
"Surely, once as you led me to it, you
whispered solemnly to me, and, with terror
on your face, said, as you pointed down
the Evil One will rise and take you,' n
then you made me peep over, and really I
saw the horrible suggestion of a m or
a fiendish form, and I ran, screaming,
away, you laughing at my terror"
81 laughed, u because Of the fo%olishness
rious occupant. Do you go there now?"
"Never, since then"
"You should. The old fellows there yet.
He came up at my bidding this morning,
and he told old Nance Riggs terrible things
about me. In warrant if you go there he
will tell your destiny for you. I know the
ghostly servant of Satan WELL"
She looked queerly at him, for this flip
pancy seemed to her to justify the repute
he had left behind him when he departed
elsewhere. She wondered that one, even
so virile a man, could speak with trihing
upon such dreadful subjects HE is a
strange man as he was a boy," she thought.
"He fears nothing seen or unseen now, and
did not then"
tribute of respect that daring compels, and
though she saw that he had acquired some
of the graces and mannerisms of fine
breeding, yet she feared him, and, as he
drew his seat nearer her, she withdrew,
with simple cunning that amused though
it annoyed him, until she had placed her.
self behind the protection of the great
spinning wheel. She did not like his eyes,
though they were bright, Ind with dis
tress she saw she was tempted to look into
them, only to see that they hid all purpose
and thought except condescension and the
wish to be amused by her.
mistress Faith, =" said he, 81 have been
away ten years, and when 1 e you
We're a maid of seven or eight. Thush have
l always thought of you. So selfish and
t~houghtless are busy men,"
"You were quite a man when you went,
Mr.. Benedict"
"Yes, quite and just, for l was but
twenty-one. My soldiers say that 1 look
scarcely more than that to-day. Mistress,
you should not hide your grace in this dull
town. Surely none pass day by day but
the farmers lads. You should come te
| gayety and the hustle of life"
81 know none there but one."
"Have you riends there?"
ayes, one of the scholars in the college,
"One of the pale-faced lads" said he
with a smile that was almost a sneer
"Mind them not, my little playmate. Sucf
as you are for the brave and strong, and
| you will find none such among the boob
worms"
"Nathan is both brave and strong" sh,
said.
He smiled, and so contemptuously tina
| she was nettled. Then he asked of the ole
acquaintances, and chatted of the older
| time when she was his little playmate
| Then her father entered, looking sternly
| Upon the stranger until Faith told him tina
the young man was their old neighbor
\ Benedict.
/ IA-1 %u;o1 Co., wa, Ho1 tS0,ira - col,
Mr.. Benedict. "But you trounced me wei
once"
fave, Benedict, you were a willful lad
and many's the time 1 did predict you't
come to no good End But you have pros
pered, 1 hear, and have become a man o
authority in your community. Be just
fear God, and you will be a IN a of powe
wherever you are. Is there to be war witt
the King!"
"Without doubt"
"And you are eager for it,"
"You will hear from me if there be wal
/ have learned, Squire, that there is tn
stuff of a soldier in me-"
81 think there is; but put on the armor c
Righteousness, that you may be completed!
equipped"
They chatted a while, the young ma
saying that bis horse had cast a shot
which was being reset at the landing, an
that he had zone on on foot to do sue
business as he had.
"Then you will return this way by even
ing" said the Squire. 'Stop and TAX
your supper with us. l would be glad t
talk more with you of the war. You lear
more in your large town than we can here.
Then he went away.
Later in the day the maid was busil
employed with her wheel, when a horsema
refined in abreast the window. He calle
to her in gentle tones: mistress FAITH
Mistress Faith, may l dismount?"
yVhan che haor5 that uoioa ,bo 1NoHQd II
with joy and spoke with cordial greeting
"Why, Nathan, is it you? We should
grieved did you ride by. Stable your hors
Nathan, and then come in to see what
greeting will be yours"
The youth, a slender, 1.-the lad, leal
from the saddle to the ground, and the
led the dusty horse somewhere ava,
Presently he returned, and found Fait
awaiting him, standing on the grei
cracked milestone that served for a sui
stantial doorstep. She extended bot
hands, a smile of welcome on her face tn
was worth many miles of riding to receiv
The youth took her hands, n held ther
and though he stood on the ground and 81
on the doorstep, so tall was he that the
eyes were on a level as they gave n +
ceived reciprocal glances of pleasure. T
bloom of tender youth was on the you,
| ; mans cheeks, which were almost as fla
i as those of the maid. His eyes were larg
dark, and good to look into, for they b
tokened honesty and courage. When tn
had exchanged the first few words
. greeting she led him, her hand in h
S within.
t "The ride was dusty, and the day
4 sultry, Faith" said he, but | minded n
these discomforts."
"You must lave lac a peaceful min
then"
"You know I did, for it was on my mi
that before the night l should see my Fa
g again"
: Ibid that thought give you so much co
tent?" she asked, gently
: sit did, and always does. 1t will gi
me content for the year that must pass b
fore we meet again"
y $50 much time?" she asked, with
It accent of reproach.
l "Yes, Faith. 'Tis my last year at t
college. | am now on my way there. Aft
= hat year 1 shall be free to make good t
9 of my learning, so that by and by whel
come l may take you with me-"
It "You are looking far ahead, Nathan
b said she, with such bewitching coyn'
d that he was impatient for the passage
- Tho months ond uaorc