Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-09-20

a month mt Grayport, Ned was uneasily
conscious that many Of his words were
rs dagger thrusts at his own aimlcss, use
less life, and waking to this conscious
ness, he also awakened TO another disa-
greeable fact-namely, that Matte was
also perceiving that lifo was n moro earn
est, real thing, than she had before pic
turcd it to herself.
Sho had never been dronc in tho
hive, but shc had become moro actively
useful outside of her littlo house o-world,
visiting in quiet, transformations way,
among the poorest of hor fathers M
tients, doing good in an humble spirit
but with asinccrc desire to help, as far MS
possible, those who needed her gentle
ministrations.
Ned loved her more than ever for the
gentle sclf-dcnials 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
could not tell where it had commenced
or would end
For the first time since lit wns n mere
boy hc saw that Matte gave him only the
warm friendship Of years of brothcrly
ana sistcrly Intercourse, where he Ind
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 rcrrentions they
had shared for years. IIc was appalled, by
the fear of losing hel, and vet shc kept
him from telling her either his homes or
his fears.
|
"Sho thinks l nm IN idle, good-for-
nothing fellow" he thought, "and I
never got any chance now to tell her
mean to buckle on my armor, too, and
ITO my share of work. l nm studying
hard, and father will give mo II start in
my profession, that can be made n COM
Tort to the afflicted and light to tho
down-troddcn. mean to be all oven
hattio can wish mo to be, but can't yet
II word with her now. Last evening she
was with that poor dying child of Cross
mans, and Today she is trying to COM
fort his mother. Tho Inst time | called
she was ut the National School, and when
do see hcrshc is not tho careless, merry
hearted Matte of old. She thinks am
The same, though, and dcspiscs me for mn
idle goOd-for-nothing.
Some such pondcring was in Ncd's
mind, when, driving his phacton up the
main street of the town, hc overlook the
Rev. Harvey Stillmnn going in the same
direction. He reincd in ut once.
"lf you are going my way, Mr.. Still
man." he said, "will you lot me drive
you to your destination2"
al am afraid 1 am going too fur for
YOU" was the reply. 81 am on my wny
to lIawson's place"
GLOW fortunate met you'll It is fully
three miles. Get in, and Black Prince
will soon carry you there"
"But you?"
"NIy time is yours. Do not refuse
mel"
The clergyman accepted the invitation,
and before he fully perceived what he
was saying. Ned wns making him con-
fidant of all his perplexities and rcsoIu-
tons, till even his love story came out in
earnest words. Led on by the quietly
expressed sympathy in all his resolves to
enter upon nnoblc and more useful life, I'M
petuous Ned, bya sudden inspiration, ,said
''If only NIattic could know how much it
would help me to feel sure of her love? |
cannot say if she ever cared for mo MS |
care for her; but if could believe she
would be my wife when / deserved her,
it would stimulate me us no other hope on
earth coud do"
''You think she loves you2"
The Rev. Harvey Stillmans very lips
were white as he asked the question
81 did think so once. Now, 1 would
| give all own to be sure of it."
There was much more to the same pur-
pose, till Ned, with sudden glcanl of
hope, asked the clergyman to plcnd his
cause.
''No one has so much influence rs you
have. She looks up TO you rs to
father, said Ned, never seeing how his
listener WINGED ut the comparison; and.if
you were to tell her how her love would
aid me, she might believe I do not
| always mean to be the ider she has
known"
~ will see her." was the grave reply.
eff she loves you, she shall have tie
happiness of giving you the encourage
mcnt you desire"
But when the drive was over, and ths
Clergyman entered his study, the auiet
gravity of his face broke up into an ex.
preston OF keenest suffering. He had
borne many sorrows in his life. Deatl
had taken his nearest and dearest; pow
crty had laid her heavy hand upon him \
temptation had assailed him, only driven
back by praycrful struggles lie had
hopedto find in GSoyport rest. after a
long battle in life. His living pr6miseSf
him an easy competence and some leisure
for studies he loved, without neglect of
his higher duties. But before hc had
been in his new home many weeks NIattic
Woolston's sweet, earnest face, her gen
tie goodness, her unobtrusivc, sincere
piety had wakcned in his heart an emo
tion he had never hoped to experience.
Love had been 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
signified.
He loved her. and he had undertalran to