The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-12-15
first hymns. Then the parson lifted a pa

per from the pulpit and began to read it,
and at the first word RacheFs heart SEEM
ed to stand still. She sat motlonless, her
eyes fixed on the parson, but she saw
nothing j heard nothing after those first
sentences, for the paper was the Cover
nor's proclamation for Thanksgiving on
the first Thursday in November.
After the meeting Betty hurried over to
Rachel and drew her aside.
"What ails thee, Rachel? Art feeling
ill?'
Rachel shook ler head. She was very
pale, but her voice was steady. ''Didst
hear the proclamation, Betty"
AYE, surely, Rachel but what of that?"
answered Betty, impatiently. Thanks
giving Day will be the first Thursday in
be the second
For a moment Betty was silent; then
she spoke in hushed voice.
"There be ten days yet, Rachel. He
must come e'er them
No. answered Rachel steadily. Il
cannot tell how l know it, but he will not
be here then. He will come the second
Thursday.
Betty looked at her in undisguised
amazement.
AN that be so, Rachel, why art thou
so disquieted? Methinks even |, who am
a worthless little thing, could wait few
days with better grace
And out OF Rachers grief broke the cry
she had kept silent so long.
sob. Betty, Betty, you know not? My
father hath said that an John Danforth
be not here Thanksgiving Day he need not
come at all, and my father never changes.
He is just, but he will not give one hour 5
grace
Betty stood looking at her with wide,
frightened eyes, then a look of resolu-
ton Strengthened her pretty lips. She
laid her head caressingly against Rachel,
for she scarce reached to her shoulder.
Sweetheart" she whispered, ''be not
SO grieved. l am sure it will come right
if We but tlust.' Then suddenly she
changed her tone. ''Here comes Hannah
Davenport. Let hel not see us So, else
will she start some idle gossip
She turned away as she spoke, and
Went TO meet Hannah Davenport, that
Rachel might have more time in which to
recover herself. Yet though she laughed
and chartered till more than one cast re-
proving glances upon her, or rebuked her
for her levity upon the Lords Day. her
thoughts were all for Rachel
The Sabbath ended at shutdown. 1t was
early dusk when William Langdon crossed
the meadows and knocked at the Allen
door. Betty herself opened it.
ooh, it's you,' she said, for not even
the most serious matters could keep her
from teasing William Langdon. Il had
hopes twas some cheerful person. for |
am in fit of melancholy
''Would it sat upon us all as lightly
he answered, with a touch of bitterness,
as he looked into her merry face.
NAY, but It's sober truth" she an
swered. 81 have knotty matter to solve
and It's wearing my brain out"
''Tell me, perchance | can help thee, "
he begged.
For answer, Betty burst into merry
peal of laughter. ''Y GU. You cannot
cen tie my shoe without Il blunder, and
now forsooth, you want to unite this
pretty tangle"
His face flushed, but he could not deny
the charge. He moved restlessly. Betty
looked at him out of the coIner Of her
eye.
Yet l am sadly in earnest" she re-
m rked. ''Why, | would cen most
promise to wed the man that would help
me out! A maid must we'd some time. |
trow, and pelchance keen wits were as
good test as any"
Betty he cried, splinging up in his
excitement. You give NE the chance?
Tell me thy trouble, dear. Thou knowest
there is nothing would not DO for thee"
He stood before her eager, impatient
Betty sat still and looked coolly over the
dalkeniug meadows.
Twere but an idle fancy She said.
II would put eff Thauksg yIng Day one
week
He repeated the words after her. put
off Thanksgiving Day one week? What
mean You, Betty?
81 might have known 'twere too much
for you,' she said impatently. 'How
can l tell more plainly? l must-I viii
put off Thanks givirg Day one week An
other, or | will do it myself. 1t shall be
donen'
But, Betty, [ never heard =
She checked him imperously ''What
matters it what yon heard? lis my
pleasure, that's all! Ohn' she cried,
sp1inging up and walking back and forth
why can | not think. ~
He stood watching her. OF all Betty's
many moods, this was the strangest.
Never had he seen her so overwrought
before.
Betty" he said, II would do any
thing for thee. Shall | ask the people -
She interrupted him. ''But the reason
there must needs be reason?''
rs there nothing needed for which it
were better to tarry?' he asked. 81
know naught of woman's needs in such
matters, but
She turned towards him and her ewes
were shining.
"Wait"' she cried breathlessly
He waited while Betty, her dimpled
cheek resting on her palm, gazed steadily
into the fire. Presently she looked up
and her eyes were glowing as if two tiny
fires had been kndled in their brown
depths. Now | have it at last,' she
said, nodding triumphantly. civilian,
has thy mother any molasses?'
Nay, but when the sloop comes in''-
Betty sprang up, and putting her hands
upon his arms tried to shake him with all
her tiny strength.
civilian, William, don't You see9'
she cried.
May" he answered. 81 see nothing
save your face
She slipped lightly away from him and
began laughing.
''Oh, what "a fine wit it isr' she said.
Gle sees not when he has it all I'M
raveled in his hands! William, the Browns