The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-01-24

Iheyre going. Ihere's to be a band
| too
| '"Then you an nell go, mite Of
one" There had been a slight hes.ta-
ton, but he could not dlsappont the
| childish eagerncss 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-
cd in 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 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 q one," he cried
elecfully, 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 a 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
/ f1i0 To
! could make some excuse. She would
not mind, and he'd leave the ticket and
so 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
recalled the barrier that separated him
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.
Hold on, little mite of q one. Don't
! hurry So" Luke muttered, shutting an
oath behind his teeth. "Theres a-plen-
ty OF time" He could not bear to have
| Faith see the impudent, handsome
face. He had not seen 1t himself for
many day.
mo, no; we must hurry! Oh, Luke.
If we should be late!" cried Faith anx-
iously.
She had never called him Luke be-
| fore. His half formed purpose to turn
back vanished.
Lord have mercy, l love the little
mite of one?' 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
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 zone of silence. He was
eying the shore line, creeping nearer
and nearer. with his lips set to grim
lines. He was fighting 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 wait? Here, boys.
take Lold of hands-Now, one, two,
three-jumpW
Luke Dolliver recognized the gay.
reckless voice. 1t had made the dis
cord of his whole life. Should he let
it
A cry of horror and woman's Shrek
of pain rose simultaneously. Faith
started to her feet, white and shaking.
ooh. Luke. what is itP' 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 it.
A little later Luke went back to
Faith. and bis face. softened and grave.
was the face of free man. Yet If
only he were sure he had decided that
question before the accident happened!
Yet could lie have decided 1t 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 a one" he cried. "You
amt any bigger'n baby. I'm going to
take care of you the rest Of your life!
Some Evidence.
A.. So A. A