The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-05-28
HOPE,
A MIDSUMMER STORY

upon MI. Jack as not more IMAM ten
"Nou mustn't feel so bad" she was say
ing. consolingly. "There might be a
great many worse things than going tC
business. Spose you'd broke your leg
ike old Mr.. Griddlestone, how would
you feel then ?"
"Wish / had" murmured the young
man.
Hope looked shocked.
"Nou might die with it, she said
gtavey. Mrs. Thompson did-only
hers was gout. And it went to her
iy.
"Oh, WELL" groaned Jack, at wouldn't
make much difference. | might as we'll
be dead as shut up in that stut1y old
office in New York"
\ grieved look crept into Hopes face.
Don't You s'pose it would make a
difference to other folks. Mr.. Jack ~
He caught the little tremor in her
voice.
"It might to you, Hope. but | don't
know who else would care
"Mr. Jack,' reproachtully.
'Well. | suppose mother would but
the girls are taken up with dancing and
heauN, and father cares SO little that
he's going to put me at business, instead
uf letting NE 90 to college as | want tor
-. should think you'd want to help
Your father, Mr.. Jack"
His forehead Wrinkled little.
''You're child, Hope; YOU can't
undel elstand, he said, lretlully.
Hope was willing to take good deal
ot snubbing from Jack, but this was a
ullls too much. Her voice trembled
again, and the suspicion OF Il tear moist
enel the great gray eyes.
"1ou said | was comfort to you
yesterday" she murmured.
He looked up quickly.
Did hurt your feelings, dear 2" he
asked, with a tender infection in his
voice, quite different from his careless
tone of d minute before. "You are a
comfort II0pe-a sort of anchor, you
know, to hold on by. And to think
we've only known one another three
days, What do You suppose I've done
all my life without you ?"
The gladness came back to Hopes
lace, and her voice, when she spoke, had
its old bright ring.
''ls I only three days :" she asked
alt seems 10 me as though I'd known
you always. You won't forget me, will
YOU Mr.. Jack ~
He had risen from his seat and taken
one OF the little hands
"Will you ever forget me Hope ?" he
asked
"4ou know l won't, Nr. Jack" grave
",
suppose you should never see me
again after to-day, Hope!'
\ little shadow went over the sunny
face. "These three days wouldn't be
like other days, Mr.. Jack"
They wouldn't be to me either. dear
because they've taught me what Hope
is. | had the blues the worst way three
days ago-betore GU came, Hope"
you're getting better, aren't you g'
persuasiveiy.
1T would be shame, if wasn't" he
said, earnestly. lone ought to get better
with Hope around"
"les " uttered a grutf' voice behind
them-the Voice of Mr.. Griddlestone,
who had come mp on his crutches unper-
ceived-"Hope is the best medicine |
know. Here she was telling me this
morning that my broken leg wasn't near
as bad aS Mrs. Smiths asthma"
"Hope told a t1attering tale" quoted
Jack. "Didn't you Hope ~
Hope looked puzzled.
''I didn't mean to tiatter Mr.. Griddle-
stone, | only wanted to make him feel
better"
The old gentleman laid his hand kind
ly on the soft, brown hair
$50 you did :" he declared. II wish
everybody took as much pains to make
people feel better as you do"
''Well, | feel BETTER" said Jack
"thanks to Hope-but I'm not all right
Yet, any more than You are, Mr.. Griddle-
stone. Suppose we go aud take sail,
Hope That would treshen us up. Do
You think your mother would let you 90 p
Hopes eyes sparkled.
''How lovely that would be, III go
and ask her right off"
"Tell her we'll go with Captain Bill
Brown, called out Jack, as the slender
little figure sped down the piazza to
where her mother was sitting.
1t Was with a slower step that, after a
minute, she came back. The shadow of
a passiIg & cloud was over the bright
face, and the soft voice had in it d little
tone Of disappointment.
Mamma says she'd rather not, Mr..
Jack. Ana she thinks you oughtn't to
go either; because the clouds are gath
erlng and she's afraid there's going to be
d storm"
He gave careless glance up to the
sky.
"Oh, | guess not, Hope, and Captain
Bill's a famous sailor. Anyhow you'll
90 down to the pier and see me off
Come and we'll ask your mother"
Mrs. Bradley made no objection. She
had taken almost as strong a fancy to
Jack as had Hope, and was willing, she
said, to crafty "the children" in any
reasonable way. But she warned the
young man about the clouds, and
cautioned Hope to come right back
when Mr.. Jack had gone.
'Do you really think it's safe, Mr..
Jack p asked Hope, anxiously, when
after few minutes stroll along the
plank walk, they had reached the pier.
Jack laughed confidently.
There's Captain Bill" he said, task
him."
"What shall l call him ?" whispered
Hope. at doesn't seem very polite to
say Captain Bill. Oughtn't l to say
Captain William ?"
"i'll ask him." said Jack. ~ say,
Captain Brown, this young lady wants to
know if you think it's good afternoon
for sail ?"
The Captain looked up critically to
the skies.
"Well," he said, in a dubious sort of
way that implied he might tell good
deaf about it if he only chose. "For them
as likes this sort of weather it's Just
about the kind of weather they like"
Hope looked puzzled, and jack laughed.
"Thnkin' of going out ?" the Captain
continued.
"Why yes, Captain, if you'll take me.
| wouldn't 60 with any one else"
"Little gal a-goinY"
"Mamma won't let me-" replied Hope,
wistfully.
"Sho sho " patting her shoulder in a
fatherly way with his great big hand
"Mas right though. Alters mind your
ma. P'raps twill be little mite rough,