The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-08

| bloom of tender youth was on the Young
| mans cheeks, which were almost as fair
as those of the maid. His eyes were large,
dark, and good to look into, for they be-
tokened honesty and courage. When they
had exchanged the first few words of
greeting she led him, her hand in his,
| within.
"The ride was dusty. and the day is
sultry, Faith" said be, shut l minded not
these discomforts."
"You must have had a peaceful mind.
| then"
"You' know did, for it was on nv mind
that before the night should see my Faith
| again"
"Did that thought give you so much con-
TENT" she asked, gently.
| "lt did, and always does. 1t will give
me content for the year that must pass be-
| fore we meet again"
$50 much timer" she asked, with an
| accent of reproach.
"Yes, Faith. 'Tis my last year at the
college. am now on my way there. After
that year shall be free to make good use
of my learning, so that by and by when I
| come l may take you with me-"
"You are looking far ahead, Nathan
said she, with such bewitching coyness
| that he was impatient for the passage of
the months and years.
II wish that the time had come. But we
must be patient. GOD has some business of
| IOT Ile IN UnlS WOrlQs VI DDdJ
| nave conviction, and must be prepared
| for it. Besides, long to have so well i'm
| proved such gifts as God has bestowed
upon me that you may be proud of me-"
He was seated by her side, his hand still
| holding hers, and for time both were ST.
| lent. Then he said musingly: Stormy
| times are preparing for my country |
| has permitted me to be born in time to act
| that part as He intends"
"What were you saying, Nathan? You
speak so strangely, as though not to me at
| all, but to some one invisible to me whom
your eyes are fixed upon"
WAS l so absent minded, Faith? Mind
it not. To be with you is peace for me,
| and my mind has been filled with troub-
| lous thoughts OF late"
"Wnat trouble, Nathan? You are always
| sedate, but to-day you seem almost anx-
ious minded. Am l not here by your side
| now?"
"Yes, and It is peace to have YOU here.
But should see your parents. This even
ing, when the sun is set, we will sit togeth-
er and watch the stars come out, as we
used to do"
Squire Leffingwell was pleased that this
young guest should be there. 1t had been
Nathan's custom, as he passed back and
forth between his home in Coventry town,
twenty miles away, and the college in New
Haven, to spend night with these people.
The rigorous old man was well impressed
by the youths learning, sobriety of habit,
and by his manly rectitude of character.
So that, being wise father, he had with
pleasure observed that an attachment had
grown that promised to give his tender
flower, Faith, a strong protector in good
time. On this day he talked much with
Nathan of the clouds that were gath ering
over the country; of Sam Adams and his
stirring words, and of the brave deeds of
their brethren of the Massachusetts colony
in Boston. Tie old Squire perceived that
Nathan was most seriously minded about
these things, and that an ardent patriotism
commanded him. But when Nathan, with
unusual enthusiasm and excitement said:
"Sir, God has special part for Inc to do
in the days that are near" so convincing
was his manner that the old man was con-
vinced as well, and he said: "Nathan.
believe il, and you will do it we'll"
1t happened that just before the hour for
the evening meal their old neighbor, Mr..
Benedict, came i'll.
Nathan" said Faith, "our old neighbor
and my big playfellow is here. Mr.. Bene-
dict, the friend of whom spoke has hap
pened in upon us, " and she presented these
two men by name to each other.
In after years, so long as she lived, re-
membered the girl this strange meeting
that took place before her. The young
men seemed for an instant to have seen
something in each other, some hint or
premonition of what afterwards would |
happen, some revelation that intuition
suggested, that caused them to be unmind- |
full for an instant of the formalities of the |
occasion. The elder fixed his piercing ewes |
upon the younger student, not rudely but |
yet strangely, and then, recovering him |
self, bowed low. The younger, as firm and |
manly spite of his YOUTH returned the |
strange glance with almost strained ex- |
preston of inquiry. Then he returned the |
salutation. Neither spoke. At the table con-
versation turned upon the threatened |
revolt of the colonies.
sit will come," said Mr.. Benedict ''and |
what an opportunity for glory and for |
brave exploit will there not be for our |
vigorous young men. Is it not so:" he |
asked of Nathan.
SIT will come" said Nathan, with |
solemnity of tone, "and what opportunity |
may there not be of doing service for our |
country"
The elder with as much display of con-
tempt as was possible for one to show who |
cultivated good manners, turned to Faith |
and said:
"Your young friend is dreamer"
But when they came to the parting with |
him, Benedict said to Nathan. Some |
thing tells me that we may be both heard |
from If the war comes. That impression |
seized ME as Mistress Faith presented me-"
''lt is strange that 1, too, was similarly |
impressed" replied Nathan coldly.
In the early evening of the next day, as /
Faith was seated where she had sat beside |
him she loved on the evening before, she |
heard a voice calling: Faith, child, |
Faith"
She knew the voice and she said: "What
is it, Nancy"
"Come walk with mes
The young girl did as she was bid, for
she was in the mood to hear what this
mysterious, curious creature OF solemn
face and shaggy eyebrows might say to
her.
Faith, Faith Lefingwell," said the old
woman, Nathan was with you yesterday"
lyon know it, Nancy"
"And Mr.. Benedict, too"
"You saw him"
Sand did these two men meet, Did you
bring them together"
Eyes, Nancy"
"rhen Nathan is the other one. knew
I should see the other. Come with me,
Faith'
The old woman led the girl to the old
well. The setting sun threw an almost
weird and ghostly light upon the trees and
fields.
"Look there upon the water of the well.
Faith" said the old woman.
81 can not, Nancy l was frightened
once"
"But you will not be harmed. Do it."
The girl, she knew not why, timidly did
as she was commanded, but she suddenly |
started back: "'Tis the same awful face
and form, Nancy" she said. LET US go
awav."
"You have seen it, then. That was what /
wished. Let me look upon It now"
The old woman bent low over the curb, !
aud thus remained maay moments. Then |
she arose aud turning to the young girl,
said:
sit has told me. I know"
"What, Naucy:"
"Many strange things. Fame aud iofamy