Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-12-29
NELL'S FAITH.

lightened by a smile, showing beautiful
teeth, assumed a softened look, both
impressive and attractive. He was the
only child of Joe Mason, careful
shrewd. secretive old man, owning
farm and sawmill and while it was be-
lieved that Joe was a rich man, he and
Fen lived poorly, and there was no evi-
dence that he owned more than afforded
them both a scant living. Close and
penurious, the old man saved and
! pinched, declaring he did not intend to
die leaving nothing behind him with
which to give him a decent burial.
Whatever little education his son had
he had gotten himself and in spite of
his father at the village public school,
for from an early age he was kept busy
on the farm, and when the days task
was over he worked at odd jobs to make
pocket money for himself with steady
independence of feeling which pleased
the old man. So Fen Mason had little
time for study.
what are you meditating, Fen? A
revolution or an assassination? To Judge
| by your looks you are as gloomy and
overpowering as the storm clouds on
Grandfather mountain" a pleasant voice
said gaily.
Rousing himself with start his face
cleared and smile of wonderful tender
ness and welcome drove away the stern
dependency to which the handsome
young girl standing opposite objected
Fen greeted her with u pleasure she
clearly understood.
Il was thinking, Nell what waste
of time and opportunity to live year in
and year out in these mountains. To be
shut out from the ambitions of life by
! these endless ranges"
| Nell looked gravely and wistfully at
the young man. and both anxiety and
sympathy We're in the brown eyes fas-
tened on his moody face
''You must go, Fen. You have long
been hankering to get away. Have an
open talk with your father tonight and
tell him you have made up your mind
to leave the mountains, and that he
must help you to study law If he thinks
nothing will turn you from it he viii give
you the money"
! Fen shook his head. "You don't know
him, Nell. He has tried to make farm
er out of me all my life, and he will
not give a copper if I leave him. am
so shamefully and miserably ignorant,
how could | get any employment in "a
city to make myself self supporting, and
give me a chance to study law? Look
at me. Look at these clothes. How
could | go among decent folks looking
like this? They would laugh at me-
mo sensible man would do that, Fen
Never mind the clothes. You are good
looking in spite of them, and you have
such a ferociously determined look. any
body would feel respect for you. They'd
be afraid not to-" Nell said, half laugh
ingly.
Hello, Fen. Time to start the mill.
You've been lazy long enough. Nell bet
ter go home and look after the doctors
dinner" old Joe's voice broke in with
command. Fen got up, and with part
ing nod to Nell, walked toward the mill.
Talk to him tonight, Fen, and settle
it" Nell said softly as he left her.
Fen knew the old mans stubborn
clinging to his views and preiudices, and
was not surprised at his stormy refusal
to give the help he asked when they sat
together that evening after supper.
Fiery and unreasonable, old Joe Mason
poured a torrent of senseless abuse on
the lad, accused him of ingratitude and
untilial disrespect, and wound UP by saw
ing if he intended going without his CON
sent to leave the house that night.
Very we'll, sir" was Fens answer. as
he closed his account book, put it in the
drawer of his fathers old desk. its usual
place. and, taking down his hat, went
out of the room and the house
On leaving his father Fen walked over
to the doctors house. Nell sprang up to
meet him. Good news, Fenf' she asked
anxiously.
Fen shook his head ''He would not
hear of it, and we've quarreled. I'm 60
ing to walk down the mountain and
take the train to -. l came to saw
good bye Nell"
Nell's hands were in Fen's, and. stoon.
ing down, he kissed her. Her ewes were
moist, but she said bravely: Goodbye
Fen. l viii write to you, too. And. of
course. | will visit your father constant.
ly and let you know how he is. Take
this as remembrance of your friend
and chum, Nell. l don't feel at all nm
easy, because | know you will oct on
fast and well. You'll be quite a distin-
gushed man one of these DAYS. Fen
You may be so proud then YOU won't
look at your country friends. Good -bye.
Fen. dear"
1t was only on the train next dav
opening the small package. NelPs part.
ing gift, he found roll of bills and a
simple little ring. On a slip of paper
was written: with Nelfs love. To be
returned when YOU are a successful law
|yer."
Months passed before there were It'd.
lngs of Fen; then letter came to Nell
that he was well and working hard. A
long silence followed and the wear had
lapsed into another and still no news
but Nelrs faith was mistaken.
She had fallen into the habit of going
to sit with Joe Mason in the EVENING
when her father was called away TO visit
his patients. The house was but a stem
away, and Nell saw that she was eacerIYv
welcome. for the old man began to droon
and had aged Greatly ~ .s.