Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-28

fer, kindly made as it was, added the
last drop of bitterness to the day.
Joe never forgot the look of reproach
and shame on her face, as she burst
into tears and ran from the room.
The poor fellow drove back to Maple
Farm, feeling as guilty and miserable
as If he had been caught in the act OF
stealing the money, instead of trying
to give it away.
During the next six months Priscilla
tried bravely to overcome people s
preJudices. She knew she was as
capable of teaching as Miss Bangate
or Miss Streaker. She thought she
would gain in time. But as the
months went by she did not gain, but
lost nearly all the scholars she had.
SEC was almost penniless. Her uncle
was kind, but he was poor, and his
very kindness seemed to make her
| dependence harder to bear. Poor
Priscilla worried and worked until at
last she ceased to care what people
said. A lethargy she tried to fight
seemed creeping over her; she was
worn out. One day, after being out,
she made her way wearily back to the
house, and found Joe Jenkins waiting
to see her. He was shocked at the
change in her, and they sat in silence
for little while, Priscilla too weak to
speak. Joe not daring to trust his
voice to do so.
Finally, he got up and stood in front
Of her chair.
"Priscilly," he said, "I would like
to tell ye story, if you think ye could
bear it,"
His voice, so soft and gentle, as if
he were speaking to some little child
he was afraid to startle, brought her
weakness so forcibly upon her she
could not answer, but with quick sob
covered her face with her hands.
"There was once, Priscilly, alvin
in the country great, humbly boy,
with red hair an freckles, an there
was wee, dainty baby girl from town,
Priscilly, who used to come down into
the country for to visit. That great,
humbly boy used to tote her around
in his arms, Priscilly, an he loved
her better than he had ever loved any
thing in all his life before. That boy,
Priscilly, grew to be great, humbly
man, an the baby girl grew to be q
dainty little woman, an he then wor-
SHIPPED the very ground she trod on"
For once in his life the great hands
and feet, the red hair and freckles,
are forgotten, and Joe himself, good,
true, loyal Joe, looks down with pitt
full eyes on the helpless little figure
dropping so miserably before him.
'But trouble came upon this dainty
little woman that this humbly fellow
loved. The world treated her rough,
Priscilly. She was delicate and sensi-
tive, but for all he loved her, Priscilly,
he could not help her, even by put
ting out his hand. 1t nearly broke
his heart, Priscilly, it nearly broke
his heart"
OH waiting heart! Oh! loving heart!
so unworthy, Joe!
"Priscilly," Joe went on, after a
moment, "that great. Lumbly fellow
was me, an the dainty little woman,
you. Now, this is what want to say;
must say. Come to Maple Farm.
Susy needs sister; she's lonely since
mother died. Come, Priscilly; I'll
never speak no more of love. Your
husband once you said 1 could not be.
But I will work for my two sisters,
Priscilly. You'll not deny me this
You can't deny the great, humble
country boy you used to trust and love
so slight thing as this"
He held her hands. She looked
imploringly up at him through her
tears, but could not utter word.
'Ye amt offended, be ye, Pris-
cilly?"
"OGendedr" she sobbed. 80, Joe!
I am not worthy to kiss your feet.
You good, kind angel. Joel"
"a red-haired angel, Priscilly?" he
said weakly.
For answer she laid her poor, pale
cheek against his work-roughened
hand.
Mrs. Vernum was an economical
woman. III her last interview with
Priscilla Wagner she had conceived an
idea.
"She ought to be thankful to get
such chance" she at last decided.
She put on her bonnet and started
to see Priscilla ct once. Joe Jenkins
answered her knock at the door. Pris-
ella sat in the shadow, but Mrs. Ver-
NUNS sharp eyes could see she had
been crying. So much the better; she
probably was in the mood to accept
her offer. So she went to business at
once.
priscilla, have understoood-in
fact, it is we'll nderstood-that you
have had hard time to get along.
What the reason can be I can't under
stand, for we have as charitable set
of people as ever saw place con-
tain. I understand, too, that you are
takin' your board often your uncle,
who has such a big family to support.
1t surprised me considerable. 1 have
been a-thinkin' it over an decided to
give you helpin' hand. Mary thinks
she likes music, an, as she's too
shiftless to do anything else, I've about
| 1A1 10 n1- l. l.,