Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-08-04
Observation-Disclosures

where the American army lay, stoou
the unpretentious house Of Mrs. Hard
ing. She was widow, her husband,
Joseph Harding, had given his life for
independence early in the days Of the
Revolution. Here with her daughter
Faith, a beautiful girl Of eighteen, she
lived alone, deriving a livelihood from
her few acres of tillable land below
the bluff.
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
Daltons 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-
tions 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 dismissing 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 a cherries
winter evening was falling over the
wooded bluff. 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
ed 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, az
he answered.:
rs 1t possible have made mis-
take in the regard which ! was so sure
time would win for me?"
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, Il
you will"
"Mr. Dalton" she said, interruptint
him. flow Of scorn In her dark eyes
II am not selling myself for the pa
triot cause, much as II is to me.
should be cheated In the bargain II
took you up. Such men as you do mo-
make true patriots"
There Is some one else you care
for, Faith Harding" he charged,
CLEAN of jealousy in his gray eyes.
Faith was silent, but the rich Grim
son that quickly suffused her cheeki
told Warren Dalton he had hit tn,
truth. Indeed, he had suspected be
fore, but had hoped to get ahead o
his patriotic rival.
IT'S that skulking Major Ridgewa!
who has won your heart"
Lee Ridgeway is noble, tru,
man." warmly defended the girl-"to,
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 Dal
ton WINGED visibly under 1t. Changin,
his tone, he entreated,
Faith, let me love you-let m
claim you. Ridgeway-that stir youn
upstart-can never care for you as
do"
He took a step toward her. blu
Faith waved him back.
NO." and her answer rang out ID
cisively on the crisp air. my fathe
died a patriot His child will neve
wed a man whose influence an
wealth is used against that cause"
Your mind Is perverted by thi
senseless patriot business" he return
ed holly. II know the man you Low,
and I'll flnd a way to even I'D wit
him. and at the same time take som
of that high and mighty spirit out &
you, Faith Harding"
He darted aNok OF naughty anee
at her, then sprang into his saddI,
and rode away down the BLUM.
Lee Ridgeway was a young office
in the American army. He was
manly fellow possessing many estiu
able qualities. He lost his parents 4
an early age and had been brougt
up by his graydfather, whose plac
was six miles flown the stream fror
the Harding home
II had been the duty of Lee Ridg,
way to carry the tidings of Mr.. Har,
ing's death to the bereaved hous,
hold. His consideration and kindnes
during that sad period had won hi,
he motherly esteem of the widow an
the heart of the daughter.
A week had elapsed since Ware
Dalton had ridden away in angs