Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-02-24
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CHAPTER nr--cosrrsuxD.

Don't talk SO, dear Jane" Olive put
her arm round the girls shoulders, and
spoke with quick sympathy. "Men have
their dark moods. and come out of
them"
Aaron never was quite as other men
are" said Jane. sorrowfully. ''He was
always more Responding than others
always believing himself an ill-starred
creature. No one ever had such strong
influence over him as Michael had.
Michael could make him hopeful and
cheerful; he looked up to Michael as n
hero-you know it, Olive, and now
Jane was quiet woman, and she
took her trouble in a quiet fashion.
Tears stole down her cheeks, but there
was no sob, no passionate cry of dis
tress Olive. weeping too, drew closer.
and conforted her rs sister.
II don't want TO say anything hard
about Michael" said Jane, drying her
eyes. and returning Olives kiss. But
! wish. oh. how l wish that he would be
as friendly with Aaron as he used to bel
Just n cheering word now and then. or
a few minutes talk about old times.
would set Aaron up and lift him out of
himself. You know he has almost wor-
SHIPPED Michael all his life, and he
thought that when his old friend came
to Battersby's works he would be lone
ly and home-siclx no more"
What could Olive say? She still kept
her arm round Jane, and puzzled her
brain to find comforting words
Dear Jane, Michael is always preoc-
cupicd," she said at last. ~ wish il
were not SO, but cannot change him.
Perhaps, by and by, when he has won
all that he is striving for. he will have
thoughts TO spare for old friends and
win be his old self again"
But if he ever does become his old
self again he win look round in vain for
old friends" Jane answered They
can't wait, you see. till he has time TO
spare. But, Olive. am afraid that
Michael dislilSes having Aaron near
him. Only Aaron knows anything of
Michaels early days, and men who
want 70 rise very high sometimes hate
those who remind them of their low be
ginning"
Olive flushed deeply
aaron should not encourage such
fancies," She said, land / have often
heard our old vicar say that people are
hard on the man who rises. They always
suspect him of looking down on old as
sociates; they take his pride for grant
ed, and never give him the benefit of a
doubt"
al only hope that Aaron is mistaken. -
Jane replied, meekly. ~ have always
admired Michaelvery much, and want
to believe in him for your sake
Then do believe in him, dear" en-
treated Olive, land try to bring Aaron
into brighter mood. All, If we had
him here we would soon dispel his
doubts and fearsl What gloomy crea-
ture man is when he is away from a
woman's influence"
Jane smiled, somewhat comforted,
and the sweet evening wind kissed the
two faces, as IL came blowing freshly
across the downs. The air seemed full
of the breath of wild flowers: there
were hope and peace and quiet glad.
ness in this remote world of low hills
and green meadows and violcts The
girls fingered at the gate a few mo-
ments longer, and then went indoors to
their household work.
Next day Olive contrived 10 have a
talk with her mother, and ask her
questions about Uncle Wake and his
business. But Mrs. Challock had not
much 10 tell.
lie was always Il lsind-hearted man, $
she SAID, ''and n good husband to my
poor sister. Your aunt Ruth died young.
lie loved her very much; / almost won
der that he married again, and yet /
oughtn't 70 wonder, seeing that mar
ried second time, although / loved
your father dearly! We widows and