The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-06-11

not speak for long. Then he said:
II have been thinking of that; but it
will not do. Poor as he is, they might
marry now, in spite of us. No; we
will let him go out again in the Con-
queror. That will separate them for |
some months, and give us time to con-
trive."
Some time after the sailing of her
lover I observed d great change in
Faith. Her cheerfulness departed. She |
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 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 therap. The caller
was Squire Bradish.
"Where is FaithP"
told him.
II 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
squirrels call.
ssThere is bad news to-day, Miss
Eldridge." he said. "Can you bear
| itpn
She fixed her eyes intently upon him,
but showed no emotion.
'The Conquerer has just rounded the
lower point. A swift cutter coming
up brought me letter from the mate.
It 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 he hands lying
loosely in her lap she sat there, with
to see neither of us. / went to her and
laid my hand on her arm.
.'Do you hear, FaithP The squire
says that Captain Converse is drowned" +"
SIT is not true" she said. 81 saw
him on the 14th of June. He seemed
weary and troubled. 1 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 captain s
sad 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 boat could
live in such gale, and nothing could
be done to help him. The mate saw it
all, but was not near enough to aid him.
All this / told to Faith. She merely
shook her head. / grew angry
could not help it.
s.Foolish grip I cried. .'Will you
insist after this that he is yet aliveP"
II know he is, was her calm reply
ssFaith Eldridge. beware! You are
, flying in the face of Providence. These
visions and dreamings are not of God
the adversary is in them. Confess youl
wickedness; ask Him to forgive youl
I impiety; mourn little, if you will, fol
! your dead-and then, in due time, mar
ry that excellent man who is patiently
waiting for you"
II think" she said, ''that God made
i my betrothed come to me that nigh
i that might know he was still alive"
! Her shocking irreverence took away
!. my breath. Had it been six year
earlier in her life / should hay
chastised her severely, and fel
, like doing so as it was. But 'twa
no use to labor with her. Praye
was the only weapon left me. and
r welded it most vigorously. Month
, passed and Squire Bradish ventured t,
i speak to Faith about his wishes.
never asked either what happened il
that interview. had no need. I say
\ him leave the house with a clouded face
!. and / knew there was no hope for him
r And soon something happened tina
: startled TIE town. Inexpressibl
q shocked as ] was, the avenging hand Q
f God seenxel it. The squire was stron
! and robust and in the maturity of life
q but, as often happens to such men, h
d sickeDe1 and went rapidly to death
4 door When the doctor told him tina
d he might not have another day to live
:. he had his lawyer sent for.
e ..Tear up my WILL" he SAID, whic
y gives everything to churches and char
I tiles. Draw another; let the old house
d keeper nave UnouSdnu uOlldTS, anu d.
but that goes to Faith Eldridge.'
@ It was done and duly executed.
e .'Tell her." he said, s'that it is all th
j. reparation can make her; the Capital
of the Conqueror stood in my way, an
q / hired that ruffian of a mate to remov
q him. He did it; he caught him uns
10 wares one dark and stormy night whe
|, the crew were all aloft and forward an
} none could see, and flung him over th
h quarter. The mate told me he did
D when he came for his blood-money; an
d he has left this land forever. 1t W;
1t my work-God forgive me''
y So it came to pass, through these a
,e founding events, Faith went one day
n take possession of the British mansio
le and the wealth of its late owner. 81
W tcpk me with her.
Is Yes, thanks be to God, Captain Co
sr verse returned, alive and well, whe
" three years had passed since the Co
n queror bore him away. Twas presel
st at his happy meeting with Faith, and {
le that occasion, am constrained to sa
le he kept his arms round her longer ths
ht a strict sense of propriety would allo'
s And she did not either scream or swot
" this time. She simply said: 81 kne
VS. you were alive, Earl was sure "
th would come" and laid her head on /
=. cbo,ldor ord a1loxuod him +o L;co I,