The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-08-28

OF sitting near Matte, and hearing her
clear sweet soprano join his own voice.
But before Harvey Stillman had been
month at Grayport, Ned was uneasily
conscious that many of his words were
as dagger thrusts at his own aimless. use
less life, and waking to this conscious
ness, he also awakened to another disa-
greeable fact-namely, that Matte was
also perceiving that life was more earn
est, real thing, than she had before pic
tured it to herself.
She had never been a drone in the
hive, but she had become more actively
useful outside of her little house world.
visiting in a quiet, transformations way.
among the poorest of her fathers pa
tients, doing good in an humble spiYit,
but with asincere desire to help, as far as
possible, those who needed her gentle
ministrations.
Ned loved her more than ever for the
gentle self-denials she practiced so quiet
ly that only those who were benefited
knew of them, but, to his great dismay,
there came little gulf between himself
and his love, widening SO gradually he
NOuli uOb iNll MltIt ~ D,tl commenced
or would end.
For the first time since he was a mere
boy he saw that Matte gave him only the
warm friendship of years of brotherly
and sisterly intercourse, where he had
given the first and only love Of his life.
She seemed drifting from him, absorbed
in her new duties and leaving but little
margin of time for the recreations they
had shared for years. He was appalled, by
the fear of losing hei, and yet she kept
him from telling her either his hopes or
his fears.
"She thinks I am an idle, good-for-
nothing fellow" he thought, "and
never get any chance now to tell her l
mean to buckle on my armor, too, and
do my share of work. l am studying
hard, and father will give me start in
my profession, that can be made a com
fort to the afflicted and light to the
down-trodden. Ismean to be all even
Matte can wish me to be, but can't get
word with her now. Last evening she
was with that poor dying child of Cross
mans, and to-day she is trying to COM
fort his mother. The last time l called
she was at the National School, and when
do see her she is not the careless, merry
hearted Matte of old. She thinks l am
the same, though, and despises me ior an
idle good-for- r-nothing.
Some such pondering was in Ned's
mind, when, driving his phaeton up the
main street of the town, he overlook the
Rev. Harvey Stillman going in the same
direction. He reined in at once.
''If you are going my way, Mr.. Still
man" he said, twill you let me drive
you to your destination2n
81 am afraid l am going too far for
you," was the reply. 81 am on my way
to Hawson's place"
"How fortunate met you! lis fully
three miles. Get in, and Black Prince
will soon carry you there"
"But youl"
"AIy time is yours. Do not refuse
mem
The clergyman accepted the invitation,
and before he fully perceived what lie
was saying. Ned was making him a con-
tidant of all his perplexities and resolu-
tions, till even his love story came out in
earnest words. Led on by the quietly
expressed sympathy in all his resolves to
enter upon noble and more useful life, inn
petuous Ned, by a sudden inspiration, said:
'lf only Matte could know how much it
would help me to feel sure of her love2 |
cannot say if she ever cared for me as |
care for her; but if could believe she
would be my wife when l deserved her,
it would stimulateme as no other hope on
earth coud do"
"You think she loves you?"
The Rev. Harvey Stillmans very lips
were white as he asked the question.
81 did think so once. Now, l would
give all own to be sure of it."
There was much more to the same pur-
pose, till Ned, with Il sudden CLEAN of
hope, asked the clergyman to plead his
cause.
"No one has so much influence as you
have. She looks up to you as to
father" said Ned, never seeing how his
listener WINGED at the comparison; and if
you were to tell her how her love would
aid me, she might believe l do not
always mean to be the idler she has
known"
II will see her." was the grave reply.
eff she loves you, she shall have the
happiness of giving you the encourage
ment you desire"
But when the drive was over. and the
clergyman entered his study, the quiet
gravity of his face broke up into an ex-
preston of keenest suffering He had
borne many sorrows in his life. Death
had taken his nearest and dearest; pow
erty had laid her heavy hand upon him;
temptation had assailed him, only driven
back by prayerful struggles. He had
hoped to find in Greypoft rest, after a
long battle in life. His living promised
him an easy competence and some leisure
for studies he loved, without neglect of
his higher duties. But before he had
been in his new home many weeks Matte
Woolston's sweet, earnest face, her gen
tie goodness, her unobtrusive, sincere
piety had wakened in his heart an emo
tion he had never hoped to experience.
Love had been a far off possibility for hap
pier lives, and he had not perceived that
it was seeking entrance into his own till
Ned Gordon reused him to conscious
ness of what his deep interest in Matte
signifed.
He loved her, ,andhe had undertaken to
II