Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-15

II nave been tnlnKlng OF that; but ]
will not do. Poor as he is they nigh
marry now, in spite of us. No. we vii
let him go out again in the Conquerol
That will separate them for some month
and give us time to contrive."
Some time after the sailing of her love
I observed great change in Faith. He
cheerfulness departed. She grew pen
sive and silent; once found her in tears
I could not speak to her of the old, dis
tressing subject, for it es;ranged us.
feared still more for her mind, and treat
ed her with the greatest kindness. He
eyes thanked me, and she always hssei
me now upon going to bed. And NOR
than ever did 1 pray that peace and Sc
renity, as of old, might rest upon ou
home
One day there was call from Squire
Bradish.
"Where was Faith?" he asked.
''Out about the flower BEDS" I said.
81 have bad news, Miss Rachel. She
must hear it. Please call her in"
She come in with her sun-bonnet in
her hand, not at all agitated by the
squire's call.
"There is sad news to-day, Miss
Eldridge," he said, "Can you bear it?
She fixed her eyes intently upon him.
but showed no emotion.
"The Conqueror has just rounded the
lower point. A swift cutter coming up
brought me letter from the mate. 1t
tells me that Captain Converse was
drowned on the 18th of June in mid
ocean,"
looked to see her scream or faint.
She did neither, with her hands lying
loosely in her lap she sat there-a far
away look in her eyes, which seemed to
see neither of us.
I went to her and laid my hand on her
own.
'.Do you hear, Faith? The Squire
says that Captain Converge is drowned"
"It is not true" she said; II saw him
on the 18th of June. He seemed vexed
and troubled. I can believe that he has
been in danger and perplexity, but he is
cot dead He did not come to me in
that way"
There was nothing to be said to such
perversity as this, The squire took his
leave, and next morning, after the ship
was at the dock, he sent in the particu-
lars of the captains said fate. In the
height of storm the lurch of the ship
threw him against the rail. He must
have been stunned, for, as he lay doubled
over it he did not reach out his hand to
save himself, but toppled into the sea.
No toat could live in such a gale, and
nothing could be done to aid him.
All this I told to Faith. She merely
shook her head and grew angry. I could
not help it.
"Foolish girl p Twill you insist after
this that he is alive?"
II know he u.s." was her calm reply.
Faith Eldridge, beware! You are fly
ing in the face of Providence. These
visions and dreamings are not OF God
the adversary is in them. Confess your
wretchedness; ask Him to forgive your
mourn a little, il you will, for
your dead-and then, in due time, marry
that excellent man who is patiently wait
ing for you"
II think" she said, ''that God made
my betrothed come to me that night,
that I might know he was still alive"
Her shocking irreverence took away
my breath. Had it been six years earlier
in her life I should have chastised her
and felt like doing SO now.
But twas no use to labor with her.
Prayer was the only weapon left me, and
[ welded it most vigorously.
Months passed, and Squire Bradish
ventured to speak to Faith about his
wishes. I never asked either what hap
pened in that interview. had no need.
1 saw him leave the house with cloud
ed face, and I knew there was no hope
for him. And soon something happen
ed that startled the town. Inexpressib-
ly shocked as I was, the avenging hand
Of God seemed in it. The Squire was
strong and robust, and in the maturity
Of life, but, as often happens to such
men, he sickened and went rapidly to
Deaths door. When the doctor told him
hat he might not have another day to
i've, he had his lawyer sent for.
"Tear up my WILL" he said, (which
gives everything to churches and chart
les; draw another! Let the old house.
Keeper have a thousand dollors, and all
,ut that goes to Faith Eldridge.
1t was done and duly executed.
Tell her." he said, "that it is all the
eparation I can make her. I was set
lpon marrying her. The Captain of the
stood in my way, and I hired
hat ruffian of mate to remove him. |
Ie did it. He caught him unawares
ne dark and stormy night, when the
rev were all aloft and forward, and |
zone could see, and flung him over the
|uarter. The mate told me how he did |
! when he came for his blood-money,
nd he has left the land forever. It was
ny work-God forgive me!'
So it came to pass that, through these
events, Faith went one day |
o takeApossession of the Bradish mon
ion and the wealth of it's late owner. |
,he took me with her.
Yes, thanks be to God, Captain |
converse returned alive and well, when |
hree years had passed since the Con-
ueror had borne him away. I was
resent at the happy meeting with Faith,
nd on that occasion, am constrained
Q say, he kept his arms round her long
r than strict sense of property would
low. And she did not either scream
r swoon this time. She simply said,