Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-21

iismay, there came little gulf be-
tween himself and his love, widening
so gradually he could not tell where
it had commenced or would end.
For the first time since he was a
mere boy he saw that Matte gave him
only the warm friendship of years of
brotherly and siste.ly intercourse,
where he had given the first and only
love of his life. She seemed drifting
from him, absorbed in her new duties
and leaving him but little margin of
time for the recreations they had
shared for years. He was appalled, by
the fear of losing her, and yet she
kept him from telling her either his
hopes or his fears.
''She thinks / am an idle, good-for-
nothing fellow" he thought, ''and 1
never got any chance to tell her how
mean to buckle on my armor, too, and
do my share of work. am stu lying
hard, and father will give me start
in my profession that can be male a
comfort to the afflicted and light to
the wn-trodden. lmean to be all even
Matte can wish me to be, but I can't
get q word with her now. Last even
ing she was with that poor, dying
child Of Crossman's, and today she is
trying to comfort his mother. The
last time called she was at the Dor
cas-, and when do see her she is not
the careless, merry-hearted Matte of
old. She thinks l am the same, though,
and despises me for an idle gool-for-
nothing"
Some such pondering was in Ned s
mind when, driving up the main street
of the village, he overlook Harvey
Stillman, going in the same direction.
He reined up at once.
'It you are gong my way, Mr.. Still
man." he said, "would you let me
drive you to your destinations"
81 am afraid I am going too far for
you," was the reply "I am on my
way to Hawson's place"
''How fortunate | met you 1t is
fully five miles. Get in and Black
Prince will soon carry US there
''But you?"
''My time is yours. DO not refuse
me-"
The minister accepted the invita-
tion, and before he fully realized what
he was saying Ned was making him a
contidant of all his perplexities and
resolutions, till even his love story
came out in earnest words. Led OH
by the quietly expressed sympathy in
his resolves to enter upon q noble and
more useful life, impetuous Ned, by a
sudden inspiration, said:
eff only Matte could know Row
much it would help me to feel sure Of
her love! 1 cannot say if she ever
cared for me as cars for her, but if 1
could believe she would be my wife
when 1 deserved her it would stimu-
late me as no other hope on earth
could do"
'You think she loves you?"
Harvey Stillman's very lips were
white as he asked the question.
II did think so once. Now 1 would
give all own to be sure of it.
There was much more to the same
purpose, I'll Ned, with sudden CLEAN
of hope, asked the minister to plead
his cause.
you have. She looks up to you as to
father" said Ned, never seeing how
his listener WINGED at the comparison; j;
"and if You were to tell her how her
love would aid me she might believe
do not always mean to be the idler
she has known"
II will see her," was the grave re-
ply. eff she loves You she shall have
the happiness OF giving you the en-
couragement you desire.
But when the drive was over and the
minister entered his stndy the quiet
gravity of his face broke up into an
expression of keenest suffering. He
had borne many sorrows in his life.
Death had taken his nearest and dear
est; poverty had laid her heavy hand
upon him; temptations had assailed
him, only driven back by prayerful
struggles. He had hoped to find in
Greyport rest, after long battle in
life. His salary promised him an easy
competence and some leisure for stud
les he loved. without neglect of his
| higher duties. But before he had
been in his new home many weeks
Matte Woolston's sweet, earnest face,
her goodness, her unobtrusive, sincere
piety had awakened in his heart an
emotion he had never hoped to expert
ence. Love had been far-off posi-
bility for happier lives, and he had not
realized that it was seeking entrance
into his own till Ned Gordon reused
him to the consciousne. g of what his
deep interest in Matte s;gnifed.
He loved her and he had undertak en-
| to plead the cause of another to her!