The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-19
LOVES
FAITHFUL
HAVEN.

Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.


Mrs. Ferry sat upright In her favor
lite rockerloss chair sewing 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 vis-
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 a 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 Janer'
Anna Jane came scurrying down
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
at the top Of the flight and almost los
ing her balance and tumbIing 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 mo-
tion that Anna Jane had been crying.
"You better go to the postofElce right
away II you're going"
Anna Jane took down her faded old
jacket and limp hat "Shall light the
lamp before goT she asked ttmidly.
Il 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 II, may
be-"
She set her old mouth grimiy. Anna
Jane hurried into her things without
another word.
There was really nothing to go 70 the
postoffice for. She had gone four days
now In succession without receiving
anything from the hands Of the impa-
tient clerk. Yet, rain or shine, Anna
Jane must make her daily pilgrimage
to the postofiice.
II never occurred 10 her to rebel
against this or any other task Aunt
Hulda set her. Aunt Hulda had been
very good, she thought, to take her IN
when she was left little helpless eirl
without parents or friends.
She had a childish memory Of tho
time Aunt Hulda came to get her. She
believed Aunt Hulda had favored her
sister Tilly more. for TIlly was older
and far prettier.
Tilly married early nnd 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.
Tilly was very good to her, but In.
clined to make fun OF her old fash
ioned ways Of dress and manner.
"Anna Jane" she said, '.you've got
to do your hair different and wear
something besides that made over
black dress OF Aunt Hulda'a. I'm no
Ing TO get you 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
evening she met him. No mnn hnd
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
fhe Martins. and Tiliy understood. She
worked with might and main to make
the match, and when Anna Jane went
home she was engaged.
Anna Jane was TO be married from
Aunt Hulda's house. and she set TO
work upon her simple trousseau. Aunt
Huida, grown suddenly generous. help.
ed her, and Tilly sent $40 to buy the
wedding dress. Anna Jane lived In
heavenly dream. He wrote every week.
and she wrote back every week.
Then his letters began to lag, and at
last came silence. Anna Jane wept and
wondered. She could do nothing. Even
Tilly could not for long time find out
what was the trouble. But when she
did she wrote her sister.
Hes marriedw she ragged. '.He mar
ried that convers girl that was here ut
your party. She always wanted him,
and now she's got him. They went to
tbe justice month ago and were mar.
ried on the sly. I wouldn't believe II
till ! had It right from her own mouth.
the impudent thingl"
Poor Anna Janet She packed away
her wedding things with a dazed look
in her eyes that never after left them
Aunt Hulda sighed and sighed.
She seemed to feel that Anna Jane
was ail to blame and treated her ac-
cordingly.
But there were times when the bur
den pressed more heavily upon her
than at others. and tonight was one OF
them. Her voice trembled as she
stood at the general delivery window
and put the worn question:
"Any mail for Mrs. Hulda Ferry.
pleaseY
The clerk snatched a package or let
ters from n pigeonhoie and thumbed
them hurriedly Then he shook his
head, and Anna Jane. with fresh hu-
initiation upon her, turned away.
The storm had increased, and In the
faint light the sidewalk was slippery.
A big man with an umbrella, whose
hat brim was turned down and whose
coat collar was turned up, saw her.
Look outP' be cried grufIiy. He
caught her by the arm and helped her.
Anna Jane dropped her head. with
gasp Of thanks. He held the umbres-
"a over her and walked silently at her
side. shielding her generously from the
fiaying storm.
When she turned the corner he turn
ed 1t with her. 1t was most unusual
proceeding Anna Jane was not used
10 receiving such courtesies. She ws,s
dered who he was. but she ala nos
dare look into his face to zee. Pres.
emily he spoke again grufhy.