The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-09-16

nan comes in-for there is man in it,

suppose ?"
"Oh, yes" said John, as decidedly
as before. ''There is man in it,"
''Well, what about him?'' asked
Mary. "Dear me, John! | might as
well inventa thing myself, and have
done with it, if you can't tell me
straight Off"
"I'll tell you r. said John, with the
air of man determined to make the
plunge. ''Only-Mary-promise me
one thing. Don't laugh at my story"
''Can't laugh if it is fiInny?" re-
joined Mary.
at isn't,' said John. ''Well, not
exactly. Erin fact, | don't know
how it will strike you. meant, don't
laugh at my clumsy way of telling it."
"Of course not" replied Mary kind
ly. "And Pm sure I'm much obliged
to you, John, for taking all the trouble
"Well," began John, "this girl-the
girl am thinking of, you know-liv-
ed at home with her mother and sisters.
The father had died some years before,
leaving just enough money to supply
their bare wants, and no more"
81 quite understand" said Mary, in
tone which had good deal of ''feilow
feeling" in it.
$50, of course" went on John, "life
was more or less of struggle with
them. But, happily, one of the girls
this special girl l began TO talk about
developed quite a talent for-for-"
"For what ?'' said Mary rather sharp
ly.
"For painting" returned John quick
ly. ''She used to paint quite lovely
little things, and sell them to the
shops"
"Yes," said Mary. "But when does
the romance begin, John ,"
al am coming TO that, }" replied John.
"Give me time, Mary"
"Oh, of course" said Mary amiably.
So after brief pause, John wen. on
again:
"Years before, when these girls were
quite little, their father had shown a
great kindness to an almost friendless
boy"
Mary started, and a faint color crept
into her cheeks but John took no heed
and his voice became firmer and clearer.
$40 the action of that good man the
boy owed whatever success came TO
him in after life. He never forgot this,
and he often wondered how he could
best repay the debt he owed.
John paused, but Mary did not speak.
"And as the time went on he found
| the debt increased rather than dimin-
ished. For though his first henefactor
had passed away, he had left kindly
| hearts behind him. And "a the boy
grew into manhood he priced more and
more the welcome he ever received
from those good women, and felt that
in the whole world there was no spot
so dear to him rs the one they called
| home"
Again John paused, but Mary made
no effort to break the silence.
''He loved them ALL" said John,
"but"-here new tenderness crept in
to his voice-"he learned at last that
for one of them he had the love which
| a man only gives to one woman in the
world. She was not, think, quite
understood by her mother and sisters,
much as they cared for her. She had
talent which she was glad to turn to
useful account, but the others hardly
realized that the task which was gem
orally pleasure, might at times be-
come very hard and wearisome. They
thought it was play for her TO sit down
and paint. So sometimes her heart
failed her little"
Mary's face was very white now, but
the color rushed suddenly back into it
as John gently took her hand into his
own.
This young man loved her, Mary
loved her more dearly than | can quite
tell you. But he waited long time
before he dared TO speak to her. He
knew how much depended upon her in
the home, and he felt he had no right
to take her away until his position
would enable him TO offer comfort to
her and those dear to her. Ii often
seemed weary while, and his heart
often ached. But the time came at
last. The time when he felt he was
free to speak"
He paused, and for a few minutes
there was between them deep silence.
Then his hand clasped hers more fer
vently, and he said; "Mary ~
AS If irreslstibly compelled, she look
ed into his eyes. And in that moment
full knowledge of what she had never
before even guessed swept over her.
She knew the sweetest of all earthly
things-that she loved, and was be-
loved.
"You were quite right dearest" !" said
John awhile later. "The difficulty
lies in making a start. Everything
comes easily afterward."
1.-THE story is very hackneyed," whis
pered Mary. "But, oh, John r'-witf
half mischievous, wholly tender loOi
isn't it wonderful how anything Sc
old can be so interesting ?'-Household
Words.