The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-08-01

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 Year,. 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 l am an idle, good-for-
nothing fellow" he thought, "and !
never get any chance now to tell her |
mean to buckle on my armor, too, and
do my share of work. am studying
hard, and father will give me start in
my profession, that can be made com
fort to the afflicted and light to the
down trodden. / mean to be oil even
Matte can wish me to be, but l 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 ! called
she was at the National School, and when
I do see her she is not the careless, merry
hearted Matte Of old. She thinks l am
the same, though, and despises me for an
idle good for-nothing."
Some such bordering 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 refined In at once.
"If you are going my way, Mr.. Still
man," he said, twill you let me drive
you to your destination9"
~ am afraid l am going too far fol-
you," was the reply. 81 am on my way
to Hawson's place"
"How fortunate met you'll It fully
three miles. Get In, and Black Prince
will soon carry you there"
"But youa"
"NIy time is yours. Do not refuse
mel"
The clergyman accepted the invitation,
and before he fully perceived what he
was saying. Ned was making him con,
fidant 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, i'm
petuous Nod, by a sudden inspiration, said
t'T only Matte could know how much II
would help me to feol sure of her lovea
cannot say if she ever cared for me as
care for her; but If l could believe she
would be my wife when deserved her
it would stimulate me as no other hope OF
earth coud do"
"You think she loves you2"
The Rev. Harvey Stillman's very lip.
were white as he asked the question.
~ did think so once. Now, I woult
give all own to be sure Of it."
There was much more to the same pur
pose, till Ned, with sudden CLEAN O
hope, asked the clergyman to plead hi
cause.
"No one has so much influence as yo'
have. She looks up to you as to I
father" said Ned, never seeing how hi
listener WINGED at the comparison; and i
you were to tell her how her love woult
aid me, she might believe l do no
always mean to be the idler she ha
known"
~ will see her," was the grave reply
eff she loves you, she shall have tn
happiness of giving you the encourage
ment you desire"
But when the drive was over, and th
clergyman entered his study, the quie
gravity of his face broke up into an ex
preston of keenest suffering. He ha'
borne many sorrows in his life. Deaf
had taken his nearest and dearest; pov
erty had laid her heavy hand upon him
temptation had assailed him, only drive
back by prayerful struggles. He ha
: hoped to find in Greyport rest, after
long battle in life. His living promise
for studies he loved, without neglect {
/ his higher duties. But before he ha
5 been In his new home many weeks Matt
t Woolston's sweet, earnest face, her ger
l tic goodness, her unobtrusive, SINGER
piety had Weakened in his heart an emo
t ton he had never hoped to experience
{ Love had been far off possibility for har
S pier lives, and he had not perceived tina
, it was seeking entrance into his own tt
Ned Gordon reused him to conscious
ness of what his deep interest in Matti
/, signified.
He loved her, and he had undertaken I
, plead the cause of another TO her
Thought became such torture that he re
: solved to have the dread interview over
, to know the worst at once. He foun
Matte in the parlor of her fathers hand
, some house, and, fearing for his ow
strength. told his errand gently.
The girl looked at him with whit
, checks and a startled expression, as
she Ind received sudden nnexnecte
blow where she had looked for kindness
, Her great brown ewes had hunted. mite
GUS look that II went to bis heart to sec
She struggled for composure before sh
trusted her voice to speak. and It was 10,
and tremulous when she said: "s;nc
YOU are Mr.. Gordon's ambassador te
him, from me. that he has nv most SINGER
good wishes for his success In his no,
, lie. He has no warmer friend no mo,