The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-08-13
Faith
Harlding's
Ride
BY A D is o N
HOWARD GIBSON
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
On a wooded blum. overlooking a
stream, and about ten miles from
where the American army lay, stood
the unpretentious house of Mrs. Hard
ing. She was a widow, her husband.
Joseph Harding, had given his life for
Independence early In the days of the
Revolution. Here with her daughter
Faith, q beautiful girl of eighteen. she
lived alone, deriving livelihood from
her few acres Of tillable land below
the blum.
Mrs. Harding and Faith were firm
patriots, and although they had mourn
ed deeply the loss Of Joseph Harding,
they had never once lost enthusiasm
for the cause that had brought their
great sorrow.
There was one in the neighborhood
who would have done all In his power
TO lessen Faiths trials. This was
Warren Dalton. whose fathers we'll
cultivated fields lay across the stream
from the Harding place.
Warren Dalton and Faith had grown
up together and had attended the
same school. Later their acquain-
lance had ripened into love on young
Dalton's side. Faith. however. did not
return his feeling for her. At first,
she had tried laughing his love aside,
but without avail. Lately his atten-
lions had assumed a form of persecu-
ton almost unbearable to a girl of
Faiths high-spirited nature.
Several times she had been on the
point of Diminishing him severely, but
the families had been old friends SO
long that, for her mothers sake, she
bore his prosecutions in silence. The
time. however, had come when she
was forced to speak plainly.
The gray cleaning of cheerless
winter evening was falling over the
wooded blum. Faith was making her
chickens snug for the night, when
Warren Dalton rode up and halted
before the little rock poultry shed.
Springing from his horse, he approach
cd and would have caught the girl in
his arms had she not drawn back
quickly.
Warren Dalton" she cried. her
eyes flashing with suddenly aroused
Indignation, how dare you take such
a liberty with me?"
The face of the young man flushed
deeply, and his voice was husky, as
he answered:
'Is It possible have made mis-
take In the regard which was SO sure
time would win for met"
my feeling for you has undergone
no change, Mr.. Dalton" she replied
coldly. you have made mistake"
Faith, listen" he pursued eagerly,
II will give the American army pro-
visions, even turn patriot for you, If
you will"
"Mr. Dalton" she said, interruptixg
him, flow. Of scorn in her dark eyes,
IT am not selling myself for the pa
triot cause, much as It Is to me. l
should be cheated in the bargain II I
took you up. Such men as you do not
make true patriots"
for, Faith Harding" he charged, a
CLEAN of jealousy in his gray eyes.
Faith was silent, but the rich GRIM
son that quickly suffused her cheeks
told Warren Dalton he had hit the
truth. Indeed. he had suspected be-
fore. but had hoped to get ahead Of
his patriotic rival.
TITS that skulking Major Ridgeway
who has won your heart"
Lee Ridgeway is q noble. true
man." warmly defended the girl-"too
good to have even his name mention
ed by Red Coat sympathizer."
II was no gentle blow in the face,
this charge OF Faiths and young Dali
ton WINGED visibly under 1t. Changing
his tone, he entreated,
Faith, let me love you-let me
claim you. Ridgeway-that stiff young
upstart--can never care for you as l
do"
He took a step toward her. but
Faith waved him back.
mo-" and her answer rang out de-
cisively on the crisp air. my father
died . patriot. His child will never
wed man whose influence and
wealth II used against that cause"
your mind IL perverted By this
senseless patriot business" he return
cd hotly. II know the man you love,
and I'll md . way to even up with
him, and at the same time take some
of that high and mighty spirit out Of