Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-01-23
WOODBURY. n J, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1902.
u cOlorless, was enviable as compared

n colorless, was enviable as compared
to his.
Spring crept into summer before they
knew it, and they began to watch the
gay boat parties from the promenade.
II never was out on the water in my
life," Faith said idly one evening.
"And never really 'holidayed.' I don't
call days off 'holidaying,' do you?
''My fix, too," answered Luke. "Days
off amt the right kind. We'd ought
to try our hand at the genuine article.
eh?'
Faiths face kindled with gentle ex-
citement.
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-
tion, but he could not disappoint 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 till Saturday. Faith liv-
ed in quiver 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 Dolliver 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 a one," he cried
gleefully, what you been doin' 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
uneasily. Yes, he would leave her
there among the pleasure seekers. He
could make some excuse. She would
not mind, and he'd leave the ticket and
go and never come back.
These thoughts tormented Luke as
they went on-the sudden conscious
ness that he was wronging the girl in
sharing the days pleasure with her.
He had meant it to be only bright
spot in her dull life. Now he suddenly
worldwide from Faith.
The stream Of people bound for the
wharf thickened. A showily dressed
woman between two men stared at
them and openly jeered. She nudged
her companion, and the three burst
into loud laughter.
'sHold on, little mite of one. Don't
hurry So" Luke muttered, shutting an
oath behind his teeth. "There's a-plen-
ty of time" He could not bear to have
Faith see the impudent, handsome
face. He had not seen it himself for
many day.
"No, no; we must hurry! Oh, Luke.
If we should be Iatep' cried Faith anx-
iously.
She had never called him Luke be-
fore. His half formed purpose to turn
back vanished.
'sLord have mercy, love the little
mite of a onev' groaned the man in his
heart.
Hours later on the homeward trip he
discovered that Faith loved him. They
were sitting alone in corner of the
deck, and he read it clearly in her pure
upturned face. To draw her close and
hold her SO forever! How easy thing
it would be! And what did all the
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 mercy! Lord have mer-
cy!' 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 a zone of silence. He was
eying the shore line, creeping nearer
and nearer, with his lips set to grim
lines. He was fighting a sharp battle.
He had given himself till the steamer
touched shore to reach decision.
The ribbon of blue water narrowed.
Now it was a thread.
"Who's going to wait? Here, boys,
take hold of hands-Now, one, two,
three-jumpP'
Luke Dolliver recognized the gay,
reckless voice. It had made the dis
cord of his whole life. Should he let
it
A cry of horror and a 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.
"It 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-
fining touch of death lay on it.
A little later Luke went back to
Faith, and his face, softened and grave,
was the face of a free man. Yet if
only he were sure he had decided that
question before the accident happened!
Yet could he have decided it wrongly?
"You poor little mite of one." he
cried tenderly, you look scared to
death! 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. He
stopped and kissed her gently. "You
little mite of one" he cried. You
amt ang bigger'n baby. I'm going to
take care of you the rest of your life"
Some Evidence.
Ukerdek- What makes you think that
he is a man of metal?