Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-26
ARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 26. 1909.
LOVES
FAITHFUL
HAVEN.
BY MARIA CLITFwORTH.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


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 4 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 Janev'
Anna Jane came scurrying down
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
at the top of the flight 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 no
ton 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 l got" she asked timidly.
II guess not. l amt In such 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
postoffice for She had gone four days
now In succession without receiving
anything from the hands of the impa-
tlent clerk. Y0t, rain or shine, Anna
Jane must make her daily pilgrimage
to the postoffice.
1t never occurred to 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 girl
without parents or friends.
She had childish memory OF the
time Aunt Hulda came to get her. She
believed Aunt Hulda had favored her
sister lilly more, for lilly was Older
and far prettier.
Tilly married early and well. When
she had been married Ave 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 do your hair different and wear
something besides that made over
black dress of Aunt Hulda's. I'm go
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 frs
wearing of the pink lawn was thu
most memorable OF her life, for thai
evening she met him. No man hat
ever before paid her any attention
and her little head was quite turned
He came to call the next evening, ant
the next, and the next. or sudden h
had grown wonderfully friendly witt
the Martins, and Tllly understood. Sh'
worked with might and main to maxi
the match, and when Anna Jane wen
home she was engaged.
Anna Jane was to be married from
Aunt Hulda's house, and she set t.
work upon her simple trousseau. Aun
Hulda, grown suddenly generous, help
ed her, and Tilly sent $40 to buy thu
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 n
last came silence. Anna Jane wept AM
wondered. She could do nothing. Evel
TIlly could not for long time find on
what was the trouble. But when sh
did she wrote her sister.
Hes marriedw she ragged. "He mar
ried that Convers girl that was here a
your party She always wanted him
and now she's got him. They went L
khe Justice month ago and were maj
ried on the sly. wouldn't believe
till had It right from her own mouth
the impudent thlngw
Poor Annn Jane! She packed ava.
her wedding things with n dazed looI
in her eyes that never after left them
Aunt Hulda sighed and sighed.
She seemed to feel that Anna Jan
was all to blame and treated her nc
cordingly.
But there were times when the bur
den pressed more heavily upon he
than at others, and tonight was one o
them. Her voice trembled as sh
stood at the general delivery windoy
and put the worn question:
"Any mail for Mrs. Hulda Ferry
pleaseT
The clerk snatched package OF lei
tiers from pigeonhole and thumbe
them hurriedly. Then he shook hi
head, and Anna Jane, with fresh hu
initiation upon her. turned away
The storm had increased. and in tn
faint light the sidewalk was slippery
A big man with an umbrella, who's
hat brIm was turned down and who's
coat collar was turned up, saw her.
Look outw he cried grufiiy. ii
caught her by the arm and helped he
Anna Jane dropped her head, with
9asp Of thanks. He held the umbre
"a over her and walked silently at he
side, shielding her generously from III
haying storm.
When she turned the corner he turl
ed 1t with her. 1t was a most unusui
proceeding. Anna Jane was not use
to receiving such courtesies. She wo