Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1909-09-18

NOA6s 4C AOkFCA W " A&Ck 2 A4DSb
Iof the summer, but his plans are
all changed.
| Nothing more was said about
the boy, and Faiths fears Of be.
ing ousted from her temporary
home were set at rest.
| She had acquired the habit of
retiring early, and one evening
she was quite sure she heard
wheels and voices after she had
fallen intoa doze. A door slam.
med somewhere, but she heard
nothing more.
The next morning she was up
bright and early and ont on the
lawn, gathering the usual bunch
Of flowers for the breakfast table.
Then she saw that q stranger
was there before her. A stranger
who was swinging scythe as he
crossed the lawn with measured
steps. He was a tall, bareheaded
stranger,a man of perhaps thirty,
with clear cut features and fine
gray eyes.
The fine gray eyes turned to-
ward her as she approached and
the scythe rested.
This must be the hired man
who was expected from the
Ridge settlement.
Good morning, Faith said in
her fearless way. You haven't
given the dew time to retire.
Y Good morning, said the man.
He seemed dazed by the appear
ance of the 1.-the and graceful
maid. I am getting startof the
sun, he added.
| But he did not resume his now
ing.
You are the man from beyond
the Ridge SAID Faith,
Yes, he answered, am from
beyond the Ridge. He seemed
a little slow and difident.
You mustn't let me interfere
with your requirement for an ap-
petite for breakfast, said Faith.
| I've had my breakfast, said
the man.
So early? cried Faith. Well,
/ haven't had mine And I must
hurry with the flowers for moth.
er's table.
| Mothers table ? repeated the
man.
Yes. ] call Mrs. Randall
mother. / think she likes it.
I like it, too, said the man and
straightway resumed his moving.
Faith stared at him, but he
did not look up. 1t was a very
odd remark. Evidently the new
hired man had a streak of senti-
ment about him. He certainly
had a fine face and such a strong
figure. Faiths sympathy was
stirred.
Isn't there something better
that moving beyond the RidgeG
she asked.
He paused then and looked at
the bright sunburned face.
I don't even NOW we'll, he
said.
But perhaps moving isn't the
thing that was put aside for you
to do.
Perhaps not.
| Have you had any chance to OBJ
tain an education ?
I am still studying and learn
ing, he replied.
IL can be of any help to you,
said Faith. II I have any books
that will aid you l will be glad to
let you take them. Idon't believe, she
thoughsfully added, that nature intended
you for newer and D mower
Thank you, said the man, you are as
kind as you are beautiful.
Faith flushed through the sunburn.
Then che turned ut q sudden call from
the house.
Yes, Janet, she said, and ran across
the lawn as Eight and swift as q startled |
Diana.
The man stared after her.
Not bit like the lady of my dreams,
he murmured, but infinitely sWeeter and
finer. He drew quick breath. Calls
her mother, does she2 That's q good
omen.
Then be hung the scythe on q low
branch Of the nearest maple tree and put
on his coat.
Faith found to her surprise that Mrs. I
Randall bad already brsakfastsd, and 50
she ate alone. When she had finished
she went ont on the porch and gave
quick look across the lawn.
| met the new hired man this morn
ing, she said in . casual way. He ap.
peared like quite superior person.
The new hired mani repeated the
mother. Doyou mean-oh, / understand.
And she suddenly laughed. Then sbs
added. He bias gone.
Gone echoed Faith.
Yes. He came to tell me that ha would