The Somerset reporter., 1909-04-08
LOVES
FAITHFUL
HAVEN.
By MARIA cLIFFWORTH.


Mrs. Ferry sat upright in her favor
lite rockerless chair sewing a strand of
braided rags into a rug. Braided rugs
were Mrs. Ferry's hobby.
To be sure, she and Anna Jane were
the only people In the house, and Wis
itors came very seldom, but to Mrs.
Ferry that was no reason why she
should not keep her carpets covered.
The room was growing dim, for
night fell early. This having to light
up at half past was great drain on
the oil can, but there are times when
one cannot see even with two pairs of
spectacles astride ones nose. She
leaned forward and called:
anna janet!
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
at the top of the fight and almost los
ing her balance and tumbling over the
braided rug at the foot.
What have you been doing upstairs
all this timer" Mrs. Ferry demanded,
looking at her sharply. She had a no.
zion that Anna Jane had been crying
You better go to the postoffice right
away If you're going"
Anna Jane took down her faded old
Jacket and limp hat Shall light the
lamp before | goT' she asked timidly.
II guess not | amt in such a ter
rible hurry as you be to burn up the
last bit of oil there Is In the house.
That's because / have to buy 1t, may
be-"
She set her old mouth grimly. Anna
Jane hurried into her things without
another word.
There was really nothing to go to the
postofiee for. She had gone four days
now in succession without receiving
anything from the hands Of the impa-
tent clerk. Yet, rain or shine, Anna
Jane must make her daily pilgrimage
to the pestoffice.
1t never occurred to her to rebel
against this or any other task Aunt
Halda set her. Aunt Hulda had been
very good, she thought, to take her In
when she was left little helpless girl
without parents or friends.
She had a childish memory of the
time Aunt Hulda came to get her. She
believed Aunt Huldn had favored her
sister Tilly more, for Tilly was older
and far pfettier.
Tilly married early and well When
she had been married FIVE years she
suddenly remembered Anna Jane and
sent for her to visit her. Anna Jane
went and had the time OF her life.
lilly was very good to her but In
clined to make fun of her old fash
Toned ways of dress and manner
Anna Jane" she said. you've got
to de your hair different and wear
something besides that made over
black dress of Aunt Huida's. I'm go
ing to get you a pink lawn, and when
it's made I'll give you a party"
Anna Jane gasped with delight. The
evening Of that party and the first
wearing OF the pink lawn was the
most memorable OF her life, for that
ever before paid her any attention.
and her little head was quite turned.
He came to call the next evening, and
the next. and the next. OF sudden he
had grown wonderfully friendly with
the Martins. and THY understood. She
worked with might aud main to make
the match, and when Anna Jane went
home she was engaged.
Anna Jane was 10 be married from
Aunt Hulda's house. and she set TO
work upon Der simple rousseau. Aunt
Hulda. grown suddenly generous. help
ed her. and Tilly sent $40 20 buy tho
wedding dreas. Anna Jane lived IN a
heavenly dream lie wrote every week.
and she wrote back every week.
Then his letters began to lag. and az
last came silence. Anna Jane wept and
wondered. She could do nothing Even
lilly ceuls not for a long time fnd out
what was the trouble But when she
did abe wrsts her sister.
Hes married p she ragged lie mar
ried that Copvers girl that was here at