The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-04

Josiah Frye mind was disturbed. and
yet CHE would think that mid such peace
fnl surroundings, yexat;ons and annoy
ances were impossible Ii was glorious
June evening, and the sun was shining
westward, midst q glory OF crimson and
gold. and the birds were singing their
sweetest. and me little meadow where
JOSIAH had been busy moving down the
fragrant grass was now saorn Of Its
beauty. but stiu charming n the stgat OF
the practical farmer. who looked with
satisfaction towards the prospect OF
good harvest. The quality Of the grass
vas all that could be desired, tall and
iatck-growing. and the weather looked
as Z Il might hold good for a month HAD
you congratulated him on the prospects
Of q good harvest, ne would probably have
told you that he had not seen better
crop for years. and the weather was just
right for hay making. but fer ali ta1r
his face wore 4 troubled look. which In
creased as, resting from his laoor$, ne
gazed ever the meadow 20 little cottage
Just beyond il, and caught sight OF
slight young girl in a big shady hat just
emerging from The garden gate and COM
ing towards him
Now. pretty and sweet as the maiden
looked Josiah had q natural prejudice
against both her and her mother They
we're a worldly people. and the girl was
hy no means the wife he would have
chosen for his adopted son and nephew.
John Parr. II was not fitting THAI he
should marry this girl VINO had settled
down with her mother almost AZ his
door, and who was not only worldly mind
Ell now, but was likely 10 become more SO
AS her trade tended 10 make her frivolous
Even Quaker maid would nave been
likely 10 become dernoralized by the per-
E-etEal making o. fine gowns and furbesowS
- l.
IA Massle-- Why Suddenly his train
Of thought was broken by ElIa's gay voice
''oh, Mr.. Fry" she said. What a
lovely evening. And hoy sweet the hay
smells, and IL IS actually beginning 20
dry already" She shook little bunch OF
Il IN her hands. and pulled out few of
the big wiihered daisies. Then she looked
I'D at him and continued: Il expect you
are too tired 10 speak. aren't you? have
watched you ali day, and / have thought
how tired YOU must be. You are a good
BIT older than am, and know l get aw-
fully tired OF work. and expect you do,
too"
The Quaker drew himself up to his fun
height and his handsome. middie-aged
face. with its fine eyes and gray locks,
looked gravely at Ella as he replied:
Work is good, and. thank God. / have
plenty OF it. II keeps one from sin"
Yes" said Ella. and l dare say you
think / ought TO be still busy al mine
instead OF talking to you here?''
Josiah made no reply, but privately ne
thought the girl looked so bright and
pretty that IL was small wonder that
John was attracted by her, good Quaker
though he always had been. and steady
and hardworking as a man far beyond his
age.
Ella Ma.sie was determined to make
conquest Of Josiah. So she went on with
q demure look:
i know you think me dreadfully wicked.
Mr.. Fry. and I can't think why. l don't
do anyone any harm. and l would do
them good II could
Yes. I am sure you would said Josiah
kindly. for no one could speak harshly
to this simple. blue-eyed damsel. But.
you see. you're WORLDLY don't say il is
your fault, but you have been brought up
so-no. certainly" reassuringly. 1.-The sin
is not yours
Then whose is to- queried Ella .It
must be fathers or mothers. and don't
believe that, Father died when 1 was a
baby. but mother loved him. and mother
Is angel"
There. don't be vexei, child" said
Josiah. consoiingly. You can't put the
blame on them"
Then who am I to put 1t on" asked
Ella
That is not the point" said Josiah.
but you must try and be better yourself,
Love not the world"
Ella hung her head. Then she looked
up with an air OF guiieless innocence and
said hunby:
Il am afraid I do love the world very
much. 1t IS so beautiful. and everyone
is 50 kind 70 ne-but I should like 10 he
better. Won't you teach me? 1 Will try
50 hard TO learn"
Josiah's reply was not very coherent
but whatever he said. he certainly thought
good deal OF Ella after this. and he
decided that although she did not belong
Ia the Society of FRIENDSHIP looked as
sweet and good any young Quaker
maid-she might yet be converted, and
she had asked him to teach her 20 be
good. And so 7 Will" he suddenly
startled himself bS exciairnlng as lie
pondered over the matter in the silence OF
his chamber that night.