The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-07-09

SAA~
grew pensive and silent: once I found
her in tears. could not speak to her
of the old, distressing subject, for it es-
tranged us. feared still more for her
mind, and treated her with the greatest
kindness. Her eyes thanked me, and
she always kissed me now upon going
to bed. And more than ever did I pray
that peace and security, as OF old, might
rest upon our home.
One night there was rap at the door.
My niece was out among her flower
beds, and I answered the rap. The caller
was Squire Bradish.
''Where is Faith?"
told him.
Il have bad news, Miss Rachel. She
must hear it. Please call her in"
She came in, with her sunbonnet in
her hand, not at all agitated by the
'squire's call.
There is bad news to-day, Miss
Eldridge." he said. ''Can you bear
it?"
She fixed her eyes intently upon him,
but showed no emotion.
The Conquerer has Just rounded the
AOWOA POlAbs "A SWAt CuGgCI COIuluk
up brought me letter from the mate.
It tells me that Captain Converse was
drowned on the 18th of June, in mid
ocean.
I looked to see her scream or faint.
She did neither. With he hands lying
loosely in her lap she sat there, with a
PARKWAY look in her eyes, which seemed
to see neither of us. went to her and
laid my hand on her arm.
'.Do you hear, Faith? The squire
says that Captain Converse is drowned"
at is not true" she said. 81 saw
him on the 18th of June. He seemed
weary and troubled. / can believe that
he has been in danger and perplexity,
but he is not dead. He did not come to
me in that way"
There was nothing to be said in the
face of such perversity as this. The
squire took his leave and next morn
ing. after the ship was at the dock, he
sent in the particulars of the captains
sad fate. In the height of storm
the lurch Of the ship threw him against
the rail. He must have been stunned,
for Is he lay doubled over it he did not
reach out his hand to save.himseH, but
toppled into the sea- No boat could
live in such gale, and nothing could
be done to help him. The mate saw it
all. but was not near enough 10 aid him.
All this told to Faith. She merely
shook her head. I grew angry
could not help it.
'.Fooliah girlr' / cried. .Win you
insist after this that he is yet alive?s
II know he is" was her calm reply.
Faith Eldridge. beware! You are
flying in the face of Providence. These
visions and dreamings are not of God
the adversary is in them. Confess your
wickedness; ask Him to forgive your
impiety; mourn little. if You will, for
your dead-and then, in due time, mar
~ that excellent man who is patiently
waiting for you.'
Il think, she said, ..that God made
my betrothed come to me that night
that I might know he was still alive"
Her shocking rreverence took away
my breath. Had it been six wears
earlier in her life I should have
chastised her severely, and felt
like doing so as it was But twas
no use to labor with her. PRAYER
was the only weapon left me, and I
welded it most vigorously. Months
passed and Squire Bradish ventured to
speak to Faith about his wishes. II
never asked either what happened in
that interview. had no need. Isaw
him leave the house with clouded face.
md knew there was no hope for him.
And soon something happened that
startled the town. fnexpressiblv
shocked IS I was, the avenging hand Of |
Sod seemed it. The squire was strong |
md robust and in the maturity OF life:
but, - often happens to such mon. he |
and went rapidly TO deaths |
1oor. When the doctor told him that |
No might not have another day 70 live, |
he had his lawyer sent for.
TEAR up my will," he SAID, which
gives everything to churches and char
ties. Draw another; let the old house.
keeper have thousand dollars, and al
nut that goes to Faith Eldridge."
Il was done and duly oxecuted.
Tell her, he said, that it il all the
separation I can make her; the Captain
q the Conqueror stood in my way, and
hired that ruffian Of mate to remove
lim- he did it; he caught him una
Eares one dark and stormy night when
he crow were Ill aloft and forward and
lone could zee, and flung him over the
quarter. The mate told me he did Il
Vhen he came for his blood-money; and
. has LEFT this land forever. Il wss
ny work-God forgive me!''
So il came to pas, through these -
ounding eventA Faith went ono DAY to
Axe possession Of tho British mansion
nd tho wealth Of its late owner. She
ook me with her.
1ss. thanks Be to God. Captain Con-
erse returned, alive and well, whom
Aree yeaEs had passed since the Con-
ueror bore him away. Twas present
s h3e happy meeting with Faith, and ON
hat occasion. / am constrained to say,
. kept his arms round her longer than
strict sense Of propriety would allow.
nd rs did not either scream or evoon
- time. She simply said: Il knew
% wero alive, EarEIwas sure Won
uuM come, and laid her lead ON his
louldor and allowed him to kis her
~ Or 6ve tfnea Z seemed to me-
let7oaoe would hays beea quits suf-
03nnt /,