West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-08

on sltnAg near Matte, and hearing her
clear sweet soprano join his own voice.
but before Harvey Stillnan had been
a month at Grayport, Ned was uncasilv
conscious that many of his words were
as dagger thrIists 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 "A moro earn.
est, real thing, than she had before pic
tured IL to herself
She had never been drone In the
hive, but she had become moro actively
useful outside of her little house world,
visiting in quiet, transformations way,
among the poorest of her fathers pa-
hents, doing good in an humble spirit
but with asincere desire 10 help, as far as
possible, those who needed her pentle
ministrations.
Ned loved her more than ever for the
gentle self-denials she praeticed so quiet.
iy 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
could not tell where Il had commenced
or would end.
For the first time since he was mere
boy he saw that Matte gave him only the
warm friendship of years of brotherlv
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 recrcations 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 / am an idle, good-for.
nothing fellow" he thought, "and 1
never get any chance now to tell her
mean to buckle on my armor, too. and
90 my share of work. / am studying
hard, and father will give me start in
my profession, that can be made n com
fort 10 the afflicted and light to the
down-trodden. / mean TO be all even
Matte can wish me TO be, but can't get
a word with her now. Last evening She
was with that poor dying child of Cross
mans, and to-day she is trying TO COM
Tort ms mother. The last time / called
she was at the National School, and when
do sec hershe is not the careless, merry.
hearted Matte of old She thinks ] am
the same, though, and despises me for an
idle good-for-nothing.
Some such pondcring was In Ned's
mind, when, driving bis phaeton up the
main street of the town, he overlook the
Rev. Harvey Stillman going in the same
direction. He reined in Mt once
tIf you are going my way, Mr.. Still
man." he said, "will you let me drive
you to your destination2"
''l am afraid / am going too far for
you, was the reply. 81 am on my way
to Hawson's place"
GLOW fortunate met you! 1t is fully
three miles. Get in, and Black Prince
will soon carry you there"
"I}ut your"
"My time is yours. Do not refuse
met"
The clergyman accepted the invitation,
and before he fully perceived what he
was saying. Ned was making him a con-
fidant of oil 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 anoble and more useful life i'm
! petuous Ned, by a sudden inspiration, said
IF only Matte could know how much IL
would help me to feel sure of her loveg |
cannot say if she ever cared for me as I
care for her; but If / could believe she
would be my wife when I deserved her.
1t would stimulateme as no other hope on
earth coud do.
''You think she loves youl"
The Rev. Harvey Stillmaus very lips
were white as he asked the question.
~ did think so once. Now, / would
give all | own to be sure Of IL"
There was much more TO the same pur-
pose, till Ned, with sudden CLEAN Of
hope, asked the clergyman 10 plead his
cause.
''No ono has so much influence as you
have. She looks up 20 you as to n
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 / do not
always mean 90 be the idler she has
known"
~ will sec her." was the grave reply.
''lf she loves YOU, she shall have the
happiness OF giving you the encourage
nent you desire"
Apht WIN tit hfiFe was over, and the
I clergyman entered his study. the mief
/ gravity Of his face broke up into an ex-
/ preston Of keenest suffering. lie had
borne many sOrrows in his life. Death
had taken his nearest and dearest; nov
erty had laid her heavy hand upon him .
temptation had assniled him, only driven
back by praycrful struggles lie had
hoped to find in Grcyport rest, after a
long battle in life Ills 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 zen
tie goodness, her unobtrusive, sincere
/ piety had wakcncd in his heart an cno-
tion he had never hoped to experience.
I Love had been far OF possibility for han
! pier lives, and ne had not perceived that
/ it was seeking entrance into his own tin
/ Ned Gordon reused him to conscious
ness Of what his deep interest in Matte
/ signi6ed
lie loved her, and nc had undertaken 20
I plead thc cause Of another 70 heri
/ Thought became such torture that he re-.