The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-09-20

Inc SOtt gray eyes were nited u
his face with glow of trust and
gratitude that would have repaid the
speaker for far greater offer
"Oh. / cannot tell you how grateful
| should be" she said, fcryently, and
perhaps ! could sit here in the store,
till you have made inquiry"
Undoubtedly" replied Leonard,
promptly, and cscorting his protcge to
scat within, he FASTENED away in
her service.
The ready sympathy and aid accord
ed her In her dire need. had quickly
won the confidence Of his fair com.
paniOn and her ardent appreciation
NJ tn" kindness thus bestowed, in
spirod the desire to render herself
rs agreeable ayd as little burdensome
MS possible; and ere mile Law ""-
hind them, her little story had been
briefly confdcd how her father. be.
ing in adverse circumstances. had left
her three months before in N-villo,
with friends. while he had gone out
in the country to begin life anew
As the villagers had informed him,
the road was neither difficult nor oh.
scurc, and in little more than an hour
he drew rein before the comfortable
looking country house known as Red
bank Farm
Almost before he could assist her,
his eager companion had sprang light
" to the ground, and was already at
door while Leonard more dellbe intrly
secured the horse. He could not
bring himself to leave her thus alb.
ruptly, without at least learning the
result of her fears for the one so dear
to her.
Advancing therefore to the door
through which he had seen her dissp-
pear, he was met by woman whose
kind face betokcned unmistakahle
gravity
1T Is fortunate you have brought
her she said, with the ready com
municatiycncss common to rural dir.
tricts. and evidently supposing that
Leonard had accompanied her young
visitor as friend or relative. The
poor man has been callin' for her day
and night, and hope now he'll die
peaceful"
What" cried Leonard. with
startled emotion that surprised him
SELF do you mean to say he is so Ill
as that?"
so Ill., " repeated his hostess Why,
he cannot last more'n an hour,
/ should say. Why was his girl so SLOW
/ in comm wrote a letter for hiEl
/ myself. when he was first took, near
| three weeks ago, and took care TO
write on the back Of II: in haste"
For the simple reason that the let
ter did not reach her till yesterday. ''
replied Leonard. almost resentfully
How could It go through the mail
with no stamp upon it,"
NO stamp" repeated the woman, a
look of deep contrition suddenly over
spreading her countenance. "Deary
dcary, | never thought o that
haven't wrote letter since was a
girl. when they used to be paid for
at the other end never thought o
the stamp"
She turned hastily away and
Leonard instinCtiyely followed 10 the
room near by. where as she softly
opened the door, they both stood
motionless on the threshold
II was truly a scene to move the
stoniest heart. With a reckless hanC
the girl had tossed her hat aside, ant
knccling on the floor at the bedside
her head was buried on the breas
of the sick man, his wan hand resting
carcssingly but helplessly on the sof
brown trcsses. But on his palid face
worn By Illness and many trace o
sorrow, bcamed now smile of in
cffable peace and satisfaction, while
in whispers came the words
Il knew you would come, my dar
ling; ! knew | could not 90 withou
seeing you once more"
Hcart.brokcn sobs convulsng thu
slight young form alone answered
him. till at last came the cry
oh. father, do not leave mo Yol
will not die and leave me all alone
The piteous appeal seemed sudden
~ to disturb that rapture of peac
/, which the fulfllmeut of his ceaseles
prayer had brought and over the dy
I, ing face crept visible shade
Hclplessly he gazed upon the hea
: plllowed on his breast, and then a
l. with mute supplicatlon he raised hi
n
dim eyes; they fell by chance as
. were full on Leonard's plying face.
= In moment the latter stood besid
him.
am a stranger to you and you
daughter" he said. soothingly. blu
II can do anything for you, you hav
only to ask"
!. only be a friend to her II you can,
whispered the dying man, with pair
full effort, increased by the emotion
stirred within him, and with one NOR
a, glance of utterable love upon her h
! was leaving, his eyes closed, and tn
Stiffness of death fell softly upon tn
=, sick room.
Through all the autumn and white
months that followed, faithfully h