The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-01-22
IL colorless. was enviable rs compared

gay boat parties from the promenade.
II never was out on the water in my
life" Faith said idly one evening.
"And never really 'holldayed.' l don't
call days of 'holidaying,' do youG"
"My fix, too" answered Luke. Days
OF AMT the right kind. We'd ought
to try our hand at the genuine article,
eh?"
Faiths face kindled with gentle ex-
element.
There's going to be an excursion
down the river next Saturday. heard
the girls talking about it at noon.
They're going, There's TO be band
too
"Then you an nell go, mite of a
one" There had been slight hesita-
ton, but he could not dlsappoint the
childish eagerness in her pale face.
The delight In Faiths eyes repaid him
for the invitation and they sat later
than usual that evening making their
plans.
Three days til! Saturday. Faith uv-
ed in a culver of anticipation. She sat
up late each night furnishing her
clothes, even to the ribbons on her
sailor hat, which really looked better
when they were turned.
Saturdays skies could not have been
bluer or the air cooler and sweeter.
Faith met the day with such radiant
face that Luke Dolliyer regarded her
with astonished satisfaction. He had
never noticed before how blue her eyes
were in their white setting nor how the
elusive dimples played at hide and seek
In her small round chin.
You little mite of Il one" he cried
gleefully, what you been dom to
yourself? I'd ought to have put on my
white duck trousers an boiled shirt"
For reply Faith stood on tiptoe and
| pinned tiny bunch OF pinks on the
lapel of his coarse brown coat. Her
| fingers shook with excitement and an
expression of pain contracted Luke
Delivers face He looked about him
uneaslly. Yes, he would leave her
there among the pleasure seekers. lie
could make some excuse. She would
not mind, and he'd leave the ticket and
60 and never come back.
These thoughts tormented Luke as
they went on-the sudden conscious
ness that he was wronging the girl Ii
sharing the days pleasure with her
He had meant 1t TO be only brigh
spot In her dull life. Now he suddenl!
recalled the barrier that separated hin
worldwide from Faith.
The stream of people bound for tn
wharf thickened. A SLOWLY dressed
woman between two men stared a
them and openly jeered. She nudge'
her companion. and the three burs
into loud laughter
Hold on. little mite Of one. Don
hurry So" Luke muttered. shutting n
oath behind his teeth. There's a-plei
ty Of time" He could not bear to hay
Faith see the impudent. handsom
face. He had not seen 1t himself fo
many day.
mo, no; we must hurry! Oh, LUX,
IL we should be late" cried Faith an,
iously.
She had never called him Luke b,
fore His half formed purpose to tur
back vanished.
|
mite of n one!" groaned the man In hi
heart
Hours later ON the homeward trip h
discovered that Faith loved him. The.
were sitting alone In corner Of tn,
deck, and he read 1t clearly In her pur,
uDturned face. TO draw her close ant
hold her so forever! How easy thing
1t would be! And what did all tho
rest of the world matter?
He saw how thin her arm was where
the lace fell away, the peak of her
chin and the hollows In her temples.
How frail and slight she was to earn
her bread alone! The thought set his
pulses beating mutinously.
Lord have mercyl Lord have mer-
cyw his soul prayed for him.
The steamer neared Its landing place,
and the shrill voiced throng crowded
toward the gangplank. The man and
girl were in zone of silence. lie was
eylng the shore line. creeping nearer
and nearer, with his lips set to grim
| lines. He was fighting q sharp battle.
He had given himself till the steamer
touched shore TO reach decision.
The ribbon Of blue water narrowed.
Now 1t was thread.
who's going to walt? Here. boys,
take hold Of hands-Now, one. two,
three-jump"
Luke Dolliver recognized the gay,
reckless voice. 1t had made the dis
cord Of his whole life. Should he let
| tt
A cry of horror and woman's shrek
of pain rose simultaneously. Faith
started to her feet, white and shaking.
"Oh, Luke. what Is it?" she cried.
He pushed her back on the seat firm
ly.
at Amt anything much. You set
right here an wait for me-"
He plowed his way to the boats edge
and took one look at the three crushed
bodies. The woman's bold, handsome
face was turned upward and the re
filming touch of death lay on 1t.
A little later Luke went back tc
Faith, and his face, softened and grave
was the face Of free man. Yet II
only he were sure he had decided that
question before the accident happened
Yet could he have decided 1t wrongly
you poor little mite of a one" ht
cried tenderly. you lock scared tt
deathl It's all over. Three people got
hurt, but they're-better now" She
was clinging nervously to his strong
arm, and her teeth chartered. Ht
stopped and kissed her gently. "Yor
little mite of one," he cried. "Yor
amt any blgger'n baby. I'm going tC
take care Of you the rest OF your life!
| Some Evidence.