Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-06
LOVES
FAITHFUL
HAVEN.
BY MARIA cLIfFw0RTK-
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

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 astrlde ones nose. She
leaned forward and called:
Anna Janet!
Anna Jane came scurrying down
stairs, stumbling over the braided rug
ut 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 time?" Mrs Ferry demanded,
looking ut her sharply She had no.
tion 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 go:" she asked timidly.
| IL guess not amt in such ter
rible hurry us 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
postol.ice for. She had gone four days
now in succession without receiving
| anything from the hands cf the impa-
tient clerk. Yet. rain or shine. Anna
Jane must make her daily pilgrimage
to the postoliice.
It never occurred to her to rebel
against this or any otlfer task Aunt
Hu.da 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 Iulda came to get her. She
believed Aunt Hulda had favored her
sister Tilly more. for Tilly was older
and far prettier.
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.
Tilly 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 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 man had
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 Tilly 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
Hulda. grown suddenly generous, help
ed her, and Tilly sent $40 to buy the
fwedding dress. Anna Jane lived In q
heavenly dream. He wrote every week,
and she wrote back every week.
Then his letters began to lag, and al
last came silence. Anna Jane wept and
wondered. She could do nothing. Even
Tilly could not for a long time find out
what was the trouble. But when she
did she wrote her sister.
"He's marriedw she ragged. HE mar
ried that Convers girl that was here at
your party She always wanted him.
and now she's got him. They went to
yle justice a month ago and were mar
ried on the sly. l wouldn't believe II
till l had 1t right from her own mouth
the impudent thing"
Poor Anna Jane! 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 all to blame and treated her &C
rordingly.
| But there were times when the bur-
den pressed more heavily upon her
than ut others. and tonight was one OF
them. Her voice trembled as she
stood at the general delivery window
and put the worn question:
Amy mail for Mrs. Hulda Ferry,
please?"
The clerk snatched package Of let.
tcrs from pigeonhole and thumbed
them hurriedly. Th.n he shook bis
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
\ big man with an umbrella. whose
hat brim was turned down and whose
.oat collar was turned up. saw her.
Look out" he cried grufly. He
raugllt her by the arm and helped her
Anna Jane dropped her head. with
rasp Of thanks. He held the umbrel
In over her and walked silently ut hei
side, shielding her generously from the
hayins storm.
When she turned the corner he turn
I'd II with her! 1t was most unusual
proceeding. Anna Jane was not used
70 receiving such courtesles. She won
dered who he was. but she did no
dare look into his face to see. Pres
emily he spoke again gruffiy:
"I'm looking for Mrs. Hulda Ferry
Can you tell me where she lives"
| Anna Jane jumped. why, yes,
cam" she said. I'm going right t
her house now. live with her."
"Oh, do you" said the man. "fhe'
I'll accompany you home"
He did not speak again. nor di'
Anna Jane. When they reached Mrs
Ferry's little low house Anna jan
went up the steps, and he followed
She opened the door and went In, ant
he went in too.
He tore open his long ulster ant
!. threw Off his hat.
ANNA Jane" he said, "don't yo'
know mc?"
Anna Jane tipped uncertainty, an
he caught her and put her In cnair'
.I,re scnrel YOU most to death, an