Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-05-25
FAITHS VISIONS.
She and Her Lover Were Not
Parted in Death.

Parted in Death.
Ihave always lived in a New England
village, and have ever sought to be a
religious. God-fearing woman. Ii is
due to myself to state these things, be-
cause what | have here to set down is
extraordinary and out of the common.
Some of it l regard as at variance with
sound Christian precept, but am in no
way responsible for it. | merely relate
some curious facts concerning nv late
niece, Faith Converse, and her late hus-
band. Her mother is my youngest sis
ter. Both her parents died in her in
fancy. and her nurture and admonition
became my charge. She grew up 4 good
girl in the main, but too much given to
the conceits of the world-as her mother
was before her Faith had what world
" folk call beauty and grace: and
though ] made her dress demurely. she
was never without trinket. IA ribbon or
a flower in her hair Yet she was
obedlent and loving; she dutifully at
tended the preaching of the word with
me; and when my ewes We're Dim at
night she was willing TO take the blessed
book and read an edifying chapter of my
choice to me.
Until Faith was eighteen we two lived
comfortably together on my slender
income, and nothing happened TO dis
turb the wonted serenity of our lives.
Then there was a change. We dwelt in
a seaport town. the greatest man of
which was Squire Bradish. He was its
largcst ship-owner. and otherwise
wealthy and prosperous. He was a
ch;ldless widower of fifty, and lived with
a housekeeper and servants in a great
house that overlooked the bay. His
deep bass led the singing al meeting;
though not a member he was regularly
there. and he was charitable. kind and
good Therefore | was surprised-nay,
/ was delighted he told me one
day that the subject of taking another
wife had been much on his mind of late,
and that Faith Eldridge was the one
whom he wished And he said that per-
haps il would be better if ! would first
make his desire known to her. gladly
did so the same day. She was amazed;
that had expected; but she gave pos
tive refusal and was more vexed than
I can tell. In vain did remind her of
the 'squire's riches. his position, his
goodness. She shook her head decided
~. am not given to anger. but wrath
Al that time was to be justified.
Tell me this instant" | said (and l
think | stamped my foot), .'what this
foilv means! Have you n lovcra''
She colored
Tell me-
Don't be angry with me. Aunt
Rachel,'' she said Il wanted TO tell
Won before. but | did not dare | am
beirothed TO Earl Converse. the master
of Squire Bradish's ship Conqueror.
We shall be married some time-l trust.
We became engaged just before his ship
sailed the last time. But but, tt loved
him before ever saw him.
The girl seemed to be losing her
senses. | stared at her. but Indignation
kept me silent. She broke out in a wild
talk that made me shiver.
There are things which l can't eX-
plain to Won, aunt" she said You
wouldn't believe me if should tell YOU.
see things in my sleep ami l hear
voices that tell me truly of much that is
10 happen. When the great storm came
last December that wrecked so many Of
our ships and drowned so many sailors
of our town knew il weeks before the
news came home | could have told
the name of every wrecked ship and
drowned sailor. but the people would
have thought me crazy-as YOU do now.
The meeting house burned up three
years ago-and ! had seen it all in my
Sleep two nights before. Months ere
met Earl Converse he came to me in
NV visions. l saw him As plainly As l
SCI YOU now. and knew that he was to
be my husband. You can't believe
it: nobody would, but Earl-he does.
No matter. it is true.
In pity to the girl, fearing that some
devil had possessed her. said no
more Just then. Next day saw the
squire and told him. He listened.
asked me many questions. and ap-
peared thoughtful. But he agreed with
me that something was strangely troub-
ling the girls mind. He hoped it would
soon pass away. and he hoped that
Faith might also be cured of this silly
fancy for poor shipmaster, and be
willing TO take the first man of the town
for her husband. The Conlueror came
into port on her return voyage few
weeks after NV talk with Faith. and as
there WAS no sinful secret TO be longer
kept. Captain Converse came openly
10 our house. He was proper enough
Young man; he never swore like most
seafaring men. In time, no doubt. he
would be forehanded. and had not the
squire spoken out As he did. / might
have been satisfied with him As Faiths
future husband. As il was put up my
veNation and kept silent. A few days
before the Conqueror sailed again Faith
told me that she had promised Captain
Converse that with my consent she
would marry him on his return. Had
hot nav mind been made up froGl nv
sense oi Christian dl'y, her w,>tfu!
voice and imploring eyes nigh, have
shaken my resolution. But l did not
yield. and leaving her in tears went
TO tell the news TO Squire Bradish. He
became more thoughtful than ever when
he heard it. and knitted his brows. I
ventured TO make a suggestion. l was
so anxious. and perhaps l spoke sim
FULLY and uneharitably.
Suppose you discharge him from
your service" l said. That would de-
stroy his income. and they could nos
He looked at me curiously, and did
not speak for long. Then he said:
Il have been thinking of that; but it
will not do. Poor as he is, they mighs |
marry now. in spite of us. No; we
viii LET him go out again in the Con-
lueror. That will separate them for |
some months, and give MS time 10 con-
rive"
Some time after the sailing Of her
lover l observed great change in
Faith. Her cheerfulness departed. She
grew pensive and silent: once l found |
! -. g., s,arc 4 oo,,lI >, ~ cv>o>E 20 hor