Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-04

1
and the conversation ran on for time
about some marvellous faith cure that had
been reported in the newspapers. All at
once Miss Grayle turned to me and asked
me. with a smile that seemed to have an
angry flame behind, as the cloud which is
ominous OF storms gives a lurid look to
the sky at sunset what had to say about
faith. knew then, all in moment. by
her look and tone, that she was angry
with me. on Faiths account. She was
Jealous of the girls influence. And l
knew, too, all in moment. that the In
terest I felt in Faith Farley was because
loved her. .,
That afternoon / was summoned to the
CITY. was gone a week. On my return
was told that Faith Farley had gone
away. They did not know where. She
had said that she could not tell them
where she was going. because she did not
know what she was to do, and till she
found out what to do, she could not tell
where she should stop
..She has some queer notions of indie
pendence IN her head" Miss Grayle said
ave could not find out much about her
plans. Probably she hadn't any. She
will doubtless be glad to come back be-
fore long"
Miss Grayle tried her Establishments on
me in vain. and finally gave up in dis
gust. | had no love to give her. or any
other woman. had given it all to Faith.
| believed that she had driven Faith
away But she was careful to let no hint
fall that would convict her of so coward
lv an act. But could see that she was
glad that Faith was gone, and that she
was glad to know that felt her loss more
than / ever confessed to her or anyone
else. She considered it a proper punish
ment for me, for caring more for the poor
girl than did for the proud heiress.
At first | was sure should soon find some
trace of Faith. She had gone to the city.
That was all knew about her flight into
the world. Beyond this l was in entire
ignorance of her movements. Inquiry
and search revealed nothing. She seemed
all at once to have disappeared utterly
from our knowledge. By and by began
to get discouraged. After year had
gone by and not q word of tidings had
come from her, felt that she must be
dead. My heart made grave for its
sweet, persisted hope and set up white
stone there, and on it was the one word
I"Fath."
Then the war broke out, enlisted.
was in many battles and escaped without
wound until it came to the long siege
before Petersburg. Then was struck by
ball and carried off the field with many
others, to suffer for days and days from
the wound. Then fever set in, and be-
tween the lack of care and the fever
which was direct result of them, was
brought down to the gates of death.
There fingered, 10th to enter.
For MANY days life was an utter blank
to me. But one morning a dim ray of
consciousness crept in across my brain,
and opened my ewes and looked feebly
about me.
was in a hospital. ] could see the
long wards, with the little white beds
ranged in rows down them, pale faces ly-
ing on many pillows, and nurses coming
and going, here and there. Looking
down the aisle to the door, saw woman
clad in a soft gray dress come in. a sud-
den thrill went tingling through my veins
1t was wonderfully like Faiths figure.
The hair that slipped from beneath the
nurses cap she wore was brown like
Faiths, as she stood in the shadowy door
way, and it turned to gold when a ray of
sunlight fell upon it through the open
window, Just as Faiths hair had trick
of doing. Suddenly she turned toward
me. Then rose up. with sudden strength
born of a great joy, and cried out:
Faith! my Faith!'
For it was her face that saw. 1t had
chan ed since l had seen it last 1t had
grown womanly and thoughtful and
stronger, but it was the same sweet, ten
der face had loved so well, for all that
She heard me, and came toward my
bed. My sudden strength gave was, and
kind of half-unconsciousness came oyer
me. But through it all knew enough of
what was going on about me to know
that Faith came to me, and bent over me
weeping and calling my name, and that
she kissed me.
Then | felt a warm thrill of life steal
over my veins, and opened my eyes and
spoke her name family. But she heard
it, and bent down to me crying out
"Oh, he knows me! He knows me- |
am so glad of that!'
Don't be frightened if | did faint" |
said. 81 am not going to die, now that
I've found you. Icouldn't."
'tDon't let him talk much" the old doc
tor said. keep him as quiet as possible,
and there's some hope for him."
l chung to Faiths hand and would not
let her 90 for fear might lose her again.
She sat down by my bed and took my hand
in hers and smiled upon me in a way that
was very pleasant to a man who has seen
but few women's faces for long time.
And the pleasant part of it was my lost
Faiths face, the face of the woman had
given up as dead There was something
so restful in it that felt sweet, deep
sleep stealing over me presently. slept
and dreamed of her. When | awoke she
was sitting by my bedside still.
where have you been all the long
time since l lost you?" l asked her, by
and by.
Earning my bread, and trying to for
get YOU" she answered. You see"-in
answer to my look of inqury-"thev
made me believe you were amusing YOUR
self with me. and Miss Grayle was very
angry with me, and | would not stay. Let
us forget all, since it's over Shall we?''
Eyes. all but that loved you then and
L love you now, and must have YOU for nv
own for all time to come. | nav have
you, Faith? You will let me keep you
hencetorth in my life as have kept your
memory in my heart through the years
since you were lost to me?''
at you want me take me, she said soft.
ly. and drew her sweet face down to ME