Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-04
Gales and Sketthes.
MY FAITH.

through. The light fell upon the woman's
hair, and made it shine like gold. Her
face, as she lifted it toward the sunshine.
was fair as the face of any child, pure,
sweet, and with that innocent look in it
which we always associate with children
upon whose lives the world has not yet
left its mark.
who is it p'' / asked breaking off rath-
er abruptly from my pretty speech max
ing.
Faith Farley" answered Miss Grayle,
with flush of annoyance. "a friend OF
my fathers died and left this girl to his
care. He gave her home, and sent her
to school. She came back to us, yester-
day, finished young lady, suppose"
Miss Grayle laughed, but there was
nothing pleasant in the sound of her mer-
riment. 1t was like discord. | felt sure
that she did not like the girl with the
sweet Madonna face. | wondered at it,
for could not understand how any one
could help liking her. Such face would
win its way to most hearts at once. Ii
had to mine.
IL should be pleased to form her ac-
quaintance," | said; Il like the looks Of
her."
You have got into such habit of max
ing flattering speeches to us women that
YOU cannot rid yourself of it when speak
ing Of them" said she, pulling the roses
had given her apart. and scattering their
pink leaves over the veranda floor in a
yexed way. 1t was plain that she had nc
love for the girl down the path.
Il was in earnest when said liked the
looks of her, answered. II am always
attracted by pretty face. 1t affects me
like pleasant music"
Very poetical,' she said, with curl
Of her lip. II never heard any one say
efore that they thought Faith Farley
pretty. She always makes me think of a
Quaker with her gray gown and sly
ways"
IL always admired neat, demure little
Quaker women" | answered. II think
you mistake quietness for slyness, you
certainly do if by slyness you mean art
fitness I'll wager good deal that the
girl FOUNDER is as artless as a child. She
could not be otherwise with such face. ,
You seem to have been captivated by
Miss Farley's charms" said Miss Grayle
and her voice had a sound of irritation il
it,"
IL admire her," | answered. "but
could hardly fall captive to her until
knew her. Don't you think she woulc
look well in a picture If her eyes are as
pretty as her face and hair, | should like
to paint her, if were an artist. She is SC
far away that could not see them well
but | venture the guess that they are blue
one moment and gray the next, like a
spring, in sunshine and shadow. Am
not right, Miss GrayleP'
Faith come here" called Miss Grayle
looked at her, wondering what she in
tended to do. Miss Farley came up the
avenue and stopped at the end of the
path
Turn your face to the light. sait
Miss Grayie. MIR. Ascot wants to see
vous eyes"
The sweet, grave face was turned to me
questioningly for n moment, and | saw
that her eyes were blue.
Miss Grayle laughed A quick scarlet
flush stained the girls face, as she under
stood that the other had been making sporI
of her, and she turned away with little
naughty lift of the head that pleased me
for it told me that she resented Mis-.
Grayle's unladylike act.
You ought not to have said that"
said to Miss Grayle. at puts me in a false
position, and it offended her,
"What right has she to be offendedp'
said Miss Grayle, with scornful turn OF
her lip. "What would become of her i
my father did not take pity on herr"
That was no reason, | thought, why the
,,,, 81 oh hn ba hnI
feelings Miss Grayel was bound to respect
She might be poor and dependent on the
bounty of others, but that did not prevent
her from being very much like other
women who are more happily circum
stanced. Perhaps Miss Grayle thought
poor people could not. or ought not tc
afford the luxury of a sensitive nature.
Later in the day met Miss Farley walk
ing in the ground back of the house. She
would have avoided me, but | prevented
her from doing so.
Miss Farley" said. putting out m,
hand to stop her. Il want to tell YOU tina,
am sorry for what Miss Grayle said this
morning. | assure you that | was not al
all to blame in the matter, though yot
may think so from what she said. | saw
you and liked your face, and said some
thing about liking to paint it, if were al
artist. and asked if your eyes were no
blue. You are not offended at that, art
youP" asked holding out my hand,
No" she said after looking at me fol
moment with frank, clear eyes, as if tt
make sure of my sincerity II am not of
tended at that. but am offended at wha
Miss Grayle said, and the way she said it.
However, that need not hinder our being
friends. ii you wish it." she added, and
put her hand in mine with all the conf
dence of child.
IL do wish it," answered
had a good opportunity to study hel
face that afternoon, as we walked anC
talked together. 1t was not a face tha
many would call beautiful, and vet it wa:
a lovely one. The cheeks had, now anC
then, wild-rose color in them. and the
pretty lips had charming way of curvins
over the white teeth behind them. Hel
pale brown hair was as changeful in color
as her eyes. bright gold In sunshine ant
full of bronze tints in the shade. A rarer
fresher, sweeter, face had not seen fol-
for many day. More beautiful women
might have seen, thought as | walked
back 10 the house, but none more charm
ing.
After that saw a great deal of FAITH
Farley. learned something of her pas
life from her own lips, but that little
learned without her being aware of the
fact. She evidently meant to let no him
fall about the life she was living, but now