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'4 iiiiiiTi'iiTfTiniitTn iilii lifill^ Jl4^i^^^ S^ ' isfr'rfi', "'<,.- \ • r ■ ' r» It-i /r'^ PUBLIC ARCHIVES NOVA SCOTIA May, 1946 • s'9-sr «' ^ ^A Presented by: The Estate of the Late S* Armstrong* CL" '"-ii^»J."»' 'J . »"••■: ^, FAITH AND FRIENDS. . . BY. Carrie j. Harris, Author of "Mr. Pe-kins, of Nova Scotia," "A Romantic , Romance," "Cyril Whyman's Mistake," etc. WOLFVILLE, ^r. S. WINDSOR, N. S.: J. J. Anslow, Book, Newspaper and General Job Privter 1895. Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year i8gs, h Carrie J. Harris, at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, m m FAITH AND FRIENDS. CHAPTER I. What is a Friend ? " Where lives the man who could be pessimist enough to say, that life was not worth the living in such a paradise as this ?" soliloquized Hal Delancy as he paused at the crest of a low hili, and, leaning upon his wheel, gazed admiringly at the sparkling waters of Bedford Basin. A gentle breeze fanned his brow where the drops of moisture had gathered caused by his rapid ride from the city. The soft strains of music from a naval band came floating over the water, which was dotted with the white sails of tho numerous pleasure boats that were flit- ting over the crested waves. One could almost fancy Old Sol reluctant to quit the peaceful scene, so long did he appear to linger on the verge of the horizon ; but at length he hides his head, and our Faith and FriendH. wheelman, with a lon»^-clrawn breath of perfect con- tent, again springs lightly upon his revolving steed, and spins rapidly down the slope, the whir of his wheel keeping time to the glad music in his heart. To-day his salary has been increased to such an extent that he feels it possible to Vjegin the pretty cottage which has long been the dream of his life, the goal towards which he has steadily kept his face while fc)rced to endure the, to him, uncongenial atmosphere of a boarding-house. He is now on his way to the suburban cottage which contains his adored divinity for the purpose of asking her to share his improved fortunes. The bright star of hope is beaming o'er his pathway. The devotion of almost half of his lifetime will, surely, be crowned by the gift of his darling Adelaide's love. He will soon know his fate, and as he dashes swiftly along, the glow left by the setting sun in yonder sky is not more brilliant than the glad light in his face as the home of his loved one appears in the distance. Almost breathless from excitement and exertion, he is soon rolling over the gravelled walk between two well kept flower beds. The brightness fades from the western sky as he reaches the end of his journey. The shadows of night are falling fast, but there is still light enough left for him to per- ceive the form of his dreaded rival seated upon the " Faith and Friends. !Ct con- r steed, of hia heart, uch an pretty lis life, apt his tigenial on his ins his her to star of ivotion rowned 3e will along, sky is face as Lstance. Lertion, etween s fades of his ig fast, to per- )on the piazza by the side of his chosen fair one. The happy look is banished from his face and a jealous pang rends his heart as he recognizes his fellow- clerk, Alf Hathaway. The cordial greeting of Ade- laide somewhat relieves his apprehensions, but the grave face which is bent over lier extended hand is very unlike the usually genial face of Hal. He is bitterly disappointed. He so wanted the dear girl all to himself to-night. Exultantly he had watched Alf as he mounted his wheel and turned cityward only one short hour before— and now to find him here ! He feels it almost more than he can bear. "You are just in time to take part in our dis- cussion," he hears Addie saying, as she glances somewhat anxiously, he fancies, at his disturbed countenance. " Mr. Hathaway declares that a true and lasting friendship between fellow-mortals is an impossibility. Do you coincide with his belief ?" " Mr. Hathaway s faith in humanity is dead." He jerked out the last of the sentence with a violent effort as he realized he had never been so near call- ing a fellow-creature a fool before. " Thanks, awfully," replied the other, lazily. " Do you know I almost fancied from your manner you were going to use some stronger expression. Will you kindly favor the company with your views on friendship ?" ''77 ■^P" 6 Faith and Friends. 1 i " Our native poet, Howe, tells us a friend is • A being, who, through all the changes time may bring, Will still around us fondly cling.' " " A very pretty piece of composition, and no doubt the author believed every word of it when it was written. His own brow was probably decked with a good-sized wreath of fame about that time, an Faith and Friends. to recoguize the maiden muffled in furs whom she has only met in her summer gowns. The slighted one feels much hurt, and goes home, to use her own phraseology, heart-broken, emphatically declaring she will never, never trust mortal man or woman again. A vow she probably keeps till she has an opportunity of bestowing her heart upon some other charming stranger, when the same drama is repeated. This goes on from time to time, till at last all faith in humanity is gone, and the disappointed one en- deavors to convince the world that friendship is a delusion. Such people never think of searching their own hearts to tind the cause of their failure regarding their friends. They do not reflect that in order to inspire true friendship, they must them- selves be true. I can give you an example of true friendship. To-day I received a letter from an old companion of my childhood, — one to v/hom I owe the few happy hours experienced during my lonely boyhood days, — one who stood by me when all others failed. Think you I could easily forget such a friend as he has proved himself in the past ? We have not met for years, and the letter which told nae he was shortly to visit his native land gave me more pleasure than when the manager told me my salary was to be increased. It seems as if I can scarcely wait for the time to pass, so anxious am I horn she slighted her own eclaring woman } has an ne other epeated. all faith one en- ;hip is a (arching • failure 3Ct that it them- of true I an old II I owe J lonely hen all yet such b? We ch told jave me me my f I can as am I Faith and Friends. to see him and clasp his dear hand once more. Of course I am prepared to find him changed, but I feel sure the same honest heart will be beating in his bosom, which he carried away from Nova Scotia years ago." " And if you should be disappointed in your ex- pectations, what then ? Supposing, upon his arrival, this precious friend of yours should aspire to the hand of the woman with whom you might happen to be in love ? Would you cheerfully surrender your love to the cause of friendship ?" •' If my friend acted in an honorable manner, and the woman I loved preferred him to myself, why should I allow the fact to make any difference in our friendship. No ; friendship such as ours will last till death. I cannot conceive of anything com- ing between us to part us from each other," was his answer, as his eyes involuntarily sought those of Addie, which were fixed upon his face with a look that spoke volumes — a look which removed the heavy weight from his heart. "If," he thought, " Alf has ever possessed the slightest chance here, he has destroyed it by his reckless conversation to- night, for, whether he is sincere in what he says or not, no girl of Addie's temperament will ever think of trusting her future to a man who could for a mo- ment entertain such sentiments." ■ ', 10 Faith and Friends. Just then, Mrs. Elliott appearing upon the scene, the conversation was changed, and the rest of the evening passed pleasantly. Hal, having begged the pleasure of becoming the escort of the ladies to the Academy of Music the following evening, Alf, with his usual assurance, proposed to become one of the party, a proposition which w^as accepted with ap- parent pleasure by Mrs. Elliott, much to Hal's dis- gust, and the two young men took their departure. After rolling along side by side for some time without exchanging a word, Alf at last broke the silence by bursting into a loud laugh, to w^hich his companion responded by a look of extreme surprise, which only served to increase his merriment. *' I rather think I stole a march on you to-night, old fellow," he at last condescended to remark. '' I knew by your looks at tea time that you were bound out here to-night, and also that you meant to sneak off without me if you could manage it. It was as good as a play to see the relieved look upon your face when I announced my intention of spend- ing the evening down town, and also to witness the disappointment you vainly strove to conceal when you rode up to the house and found the fair Ade- laide and myself enjoying each other's society," and the look of indignation upon the face of Hal as he listened to the flippant way in which he spoke of li Faith and Friends. 11 le scene, t of the ^ged the IS to the if, with J of the vith ap- al's dis- parture. ne time •oke the lich his iurprise, t. o-night, rk. " I )U were 1 meant 3 it. It )k upon :' spend- less the d when lir Ade- by," and al as he poke of Adelaide sent the offender off into another peal of laughter, which so enraged the young man that he resolved to be rid of his unwelcome companion. Bending over his wheel, he spurted forward, but the other, seeing his intention, immediately followed his example, and the two fairly Hew over the ground for some time. " You see, I am as hard to shake off as the old man of the sea," laughed Alf, when they dismounted at the door of their boarding-house. " I intend to keep an eye on you, my line fellow, for the future, as we both happen to be candidates for the hand and fortune of the same fair lady. What will you bet I don't come out one ahead of you ?" " I never bet," answered Hal, stiffly, as he coolly closed the door of his private apartment almost in his companion's face. "Like to shake me off, would you? But you have got it bad!" muttered the other, cynically, as he sauntered slowly down the corridors to his own room. " I have my work cut out, for there is not the least doubt that the darling Adelaide would prefer your noble self for a life-long companion, but I intend to come out ahead for all that, so look out for breakers, Mr. Delancy, your faithful heart is drifting straight upon them. Addie has a fine lit- tle dot of her own w^hich will be well worth the / 12 Faith and Friends. trouble of winning, apart from her own precious self. You have managed, Hal Delancy, to worm yourself into the confidence of our manager, and get promoted over the heads of us all, but I, for one, will be even with you yet. The loss of Addie you will consider the greatest calamity you could be called upon to endure. More fool you, as if the love of any woman was worth a second thought." Faith and Friends. 13 precious o worm and get for one, die you lould be 3 if the aght." , CHAPTER II. A New Rival. The ni^ht following his promotion which his fellow-clerk so bitterly resented, Hal vainly sought a visit from Morpheus. The fellow's acknowledged designs on Addie tilled him with considerable alarm. He had feared him as a rival in a passive sort of a way for some time, but as neither had been in a position to marry, Alf's attentions had not been a source of very great trouble to our hero. The allu- sion to her fortune, however, served to oper his eyes. Had the dear girl really a fortune in her own right of which Alf was cognizant, and was the scoundrel seeking to woo her for the wealth she would bring him ? Hal remembered there were several members of her family who were considered very wealthy, and it was not improbable she might possess a consider- able fortune in her own right, notwithstanding the fact that she and her mother lived in an extremely simple style. " Heaven preserve her from such a ! I I* i ! 14 Faith and Friends. fate," was his unspoken prayer as he pictured the future before her if she should become the wife of the brilliant, dashing Alf. He knew the fellow to be utterly selfish and unprincipled, and he resolved to preserve the woman he so truly loved from such an unhappy marriage if it lay in his power. For several weeks he strove to obtain a private interview and learn his own fate, but in vain. Alf would checkmate him at every turn. Did he occa- sionally succeed in dodging him and start for the cottage, the other was sure to pass him on the way, and be the first to greet him with a mocking smile on his arrival. He looked forward with no small amount of impatience to the coming of his friend, Vernon Clifford. He felt in him he would have a powerful ally, who would aid him in defeating his troublesome rival. At length the wished-for day arrived, bringing with it the friend of his early youth, and although outwardly he found him much changed, as he anticipated, he still hoped to find him unchanged at heart. But the days went by, and he shrank more and more from pouring his troubles into the ear of this cynical man, who seemed inclined to sneer at all sentiment. To make matters worse, Vernon claimed all his spare time for his entertainment, and Hal, faithfully re- membering the past, strove to give ungrudgingly Faith and Friends. 15 iired the ; wife of ellow to resolved •om such • , private lin. Alf he occa- t for the the way, ing smile no small is friend, 1 have a ating his for day [lis early im much to find went by, iring his lan, who mt. To lis spare dully re- udgingly the precious hours he fain would I ave dedicated to Addie ; and his exacting friend never guessed how hard it was sometimes for the unselfish fellow to see his rival mount his wheel and speed away to the residence of his lady love, leaving him to be dragged to uncongenial resorts for the pleasure of the new- comer. He feared some false motive would be charged upon his apparent desertion by the Elliotts, for he knew Alf to be capable of any treachery > and that he would give any explanation which suited him did Mrs. Elliott or Addie take the trouVjle to inquire after him. Had Vernon been a wheel- man, it would have been an easy matter to have inveigled him to the vicinity of their home, and then to drop in upon them in a friendly way ; but, try as he would, he could not even induce his friend to mount a wheel. Indeed, he appeared to be strong- ly prejudiced against them. He could claim no tie stronger than friendship, and that he felt would not be a sufficient excuse for dragging Vernon out there in a carriage, so for some time the poor fellow suffered his martyrdom in silence. But at last he could bear it no longer. He would see Addie and learn his fate at all hazards. Finding Alf was really going in another direction one evening, he resolved to escape from his friend's surveillance and pay a visit to Brierwood Cottage. 16 Faith and Friends. " Where in the world is Brierwood Cottage, in- quired Vernon, when he announced his intention ; "and who are those people for whose sakes a more than ordinary entertainment at the opera house is to be sacrificed ?" " Brierwood Cottage overlooks Bedford Basin, and those people are a Mrs. Elliott and her daugh- ter, both particular friends of mine, to whom I owe many a pleasant evening," answered Hal, with some heat. He had made up his mind to visit Addie to- night, and he intended to show Vernon he was not to be deterred from his purpose. " All right," replied his companion, " I cannot say that I am particularly anxious to be roasted in a densely packed building with the thermometer as high as it registers to-night. Now, suppose you doff that outlandish bicycle uniform and array yourself in more presentable garments, while I run down and order a carriage. J think a drive along the Bedford shores would be delightful this evening, so I will accompany you on your excursion." Poor Hal dropped his eyes to conceal his disap- pointment. To be baulked again, and this time by his friend ! But, in tones wdiich he endeavored to make cor- dial, he accepted Vernon's proposal, and turned away to don his evening clothes while the other i ttage, in- ntention ; ?s a more house is 'd Basin, n' claugh- om I owe vith some Addie to- e was not annot say sted in a jnieter as Dose you d array lie I run ive along evening, lis disap- time by lake cor- turned he other Faith and Friends. 17 went for a carriage, little dreaming how he had de- feated his comrade's plans. The two were soon swiftly driving along the Bedford road, Hal's spirits gradually rising the nearer he approached the home of Afielaide. The farther they left the dusty city behind them, the more silent became his companion, till at last the conversation ceased altogether. Vernon, who held the reins, divided his attention between his lively pony and the beautiful view over the Basin, while Hal, leaning back in the carriage, allowed his thoughts to precede them to Brierwood Cottage and the presence of the peerless Adelaide. As he joyfully anticipated the pleasure in store for him at the approaching meeting, it suddenly occurred to him what a dolt he had been. During all those weeks of uncertainty, when he had been compelled to endure the tortures of suspense, why had he not resorted to paper in order to communicate his de- sires to the object of his adoration ? He would write to her without delay, he thought, as they drew near the cottage, which he pointed out to Ver- non, and their frisky steed was soon prancing before the door, while he, with a beaming countenance, was introducing his friend to Mrs. Elliott and her daughter. " Really, Mr. Delancy, you are quite a stranger," If \ • I i 1 I 1 j , i ; 1 1 \ i 1 t i ' , " 1 i . ! 18 Faxih and Friends. cried Mrs. Elliott, when the introductions were over. " I have been inquiring of Mr. Hathaw^ay several times what had become of you, but was invariably informed that you now had so many superior attrac- tions nearer the city, that you had no time to devote to your country acquaintances." " It seems to me that was hardly kind in Mr. Hathaway," answered Hal, as he glanced at Ade- laide to learn if she shared her mother's opinion re- garding his absence. But the younger lady's eyes were resolutely turned towards the window, and she appeared to be taking no interest in the con- versation. "Alf knew," he continued, reproachfully, "that Vernon claimed all my spare time, and I could scarcely desert my old friend during the first days of his arrival, leaving him alone among comparative strangers." " No, Mrs. Elliott," broke in Clifford, " the blame, if there be any, must fall on my shoulders. I can assure you Hal tried hard enough on more than one occasion to ride off on his confounded (ah, excuse me,) wheel, but I always managed to catch him be- fore he made his escape. To-night he almost accom- plished his purpose, but I captured him as usual. When he found he was cornered, he became furious, and flatly refused to be governed by my whims any Faith and Friends, 19 were over, ly several invariably •ior attrac- 3 to devote nd in Mr. d at Ade- 3pinion re- ady's eyes ndow, and n the con- lly, "that d I could first days mparative |the blame, TS. I can |e than one .h, excuse him be- lost accom- as usual. le furious, hims any longer, He was going to visit Brierwood Cottage, and that's all there was about it, so I had to com- promise matters by hunting up a horse and buggy, and here we are. Now that I know you, I feel compelled to otter my humble apologies for my selfishness in pieventing your young friend from visiting you before, and trust you will not punish me for my offence by depriving me of the pleasure of accompanying him when he again visits this charming locality." His hostess hastened to assure him that any friend of Mr. Delancy's was always welcome at Brierwood Cottage, to which he replied with more exaggerated compliments, while Hal listened with secret disgust, as he discovered this new phase in his old friend's character. He felt such superfluous language to be little short of an insult to a woman like Mrs. Elliott, while the scarcely perceptible curl of Addie's lip increased his anger. But, notwith- standing his gushing manner, Hal was relieved, as the evening passed, to see that Mrs. Elliott had taken a fancy to the j'^oung man, and when they were leaving she cordially invited him to accompany his friend when he again visited them. " You are a sly dog, that you are," laughed Ver- non, as they drove homeward, " but I must thank you for a very pleasant evening. The old lady 20 Faith and Frlenda. seems well informed, and the dau(,diter gave me the impregsion of being above the average. Now, if I ever anticipated sueli a thing as turning benedict, she is just tlie sort of a girl I would select for my companion. Has she any tin ? But of course not, they would not be living in that secluded way if they possessed means. It is always the way with those nice girls. They are invariably a.s poor as the proverbial church mouse." " This case, I rather fancy, is an exception," answered Hal, with a smile. " Adelaide is reported to possess quite a fortune in her own right, although I cannot vouch for the truth of the statement. But you surely do not belong to such a despicable class of men as the ordinary fortune-hunter?" " Not exactly a fortune-hunter, perhaps ; but, nevertheless, a snug fortune is by no means to be despised, and I candidly acknowledge I should not care to marry a poor woman." *•' But if you loved her — " " Love ! tiddle-sticks I Are you foolish enough to indulge in such sentimental twaddle ? Love and honesty deserted this world about the same time. It is gold, always gold, which now leads in every undertaking." Poor Hal felt he could bear almost any blow after listening to this avowal from his friend. He had >*» Faith and Friends. 21 staked all his fnith on tJie truth and honor of Ver- non, only to hoar hin) proclaim both nmvketable commodities, which gold could always purchase. "Alf's philosophy must be right atter all," he thought, bitterly ; " true friendship in this bustling world of ours has really became a thing of the past But no, I will not believe it," he declared emphati- cally to himself, as his thoughts went back to their early life, and a picture of the old, honest Vernon, rose before his mental vision. " Changed he may have become in some things, but my noble Vernon is still true at heart. I know not what bitter ex- perience he has been called upon to endure, but I feel that truth and honor are not yet dead, but only sleeping, and who is better fitted than Addie to wake him from his lethargy ? Say what he will, I know he is still honest at heart, and w^ill make her happy if he is fortunate enough to win her love. If she learns to care for him, I feel I could surrender her, for he will make her a good husband." But as the unselfish fellow thus decided her destiny, a lump rose in his throat, and his resolu- tion almost failed him. He felt it would be no easy matter to give her up, even to Vernon. Ah, if he could only gather her into his arms and bear her far away where the eye of neither Vernon nor Alf would ever behold her more ! But, could he make \ III' if 22 Faith and Friends. her happy? Unlike his friends, he had neither good looks nor brilliancy to recommend him. How could such as he hope to win the heart of such a peerless treasure ? He would strive to be only the good friend of both, and live out his life alone ; but, as he reached this decision, something told him he could never be content with Adelaide's friendship, and that he could feel the same towards Vernon, if once he became her husband, he knew was an im- possibility. Fight against his feelings as he would, he knew their friendship was doomed. Faith and Friends. 23 id neither lim. How of such a e only the lone ; but, Id him he friendship, Vernon, if vas an im- he would, CHAPTER III. Hal's Surrender. For the next few weeks Hal remained a passive spectator, watching the bitter rivalry which existed between Alf and Vernon. Which would eventually win ? was the momentous question. For Addie's sake the faithful lover ardently hoped that Vernon would be the successful competitor. Night after night he remained by his chamber window and saw Alf upon his wheel, and Vernon, seated in a stylish ^^SSy> take the road leading to the Elliott cottage. At first his friend used to frequently offer him a seat beside him, but of late he ceemed to have for- gotten his very existence, except to occasionally nod when they met at the table. Hal, to ease his aching heart, devoted himself assiduously to his employ- ment, where he won many a favorable comment from his crusty old manager, crumbs of comfort which were eagerly devoured by the young man, who felt gratified to know he was of some use in IP«I i !rf 24 Faith and Friends. the world. The increasing coldness of both Ade- laide and her mother, when they met, prevented him from visiting Brierwood, so he was ignorant of how matters were progressing in that quarter, till, meeting Alf one evening in the corridor, he was surprised by that worthy stopping him and request- ing his congratulations. " On your engagement to Adelaide, of course," he at last forced himself to say, as he raised a face from which all color had fled, to meet the triumphant look of his companion. " Well, not exactly," Alf answered slowly, enjoy- ing his fellow-clerk's embarrassment, " but on my engagement to her mother." " Her mother 1 Preposterous ! You are joking !" " On the contrary, I never was more serious in my life. I can assure you the fair widow has done me the honor to bestow upon me her heart — hand and fortune are soon to follow. I saw some time ago there was no chance for me with the younger lady, so I did the next best thing, and made love to the mother, with what success you see. As soon as your confounded friend appeared on the scene, I saw at once it was a case of spoons. By-the-way, how goes your friendship now ? Still as warmly attached as ever to the noble Vernon ? Or have you discovered there are some things more precious than friendship in this world ?". Faith and Friends. 25 oth Ade- ►revented aorant of irter, till, , he was request- •urse," he 'ace from lant look y, enjoy- it on my joking!" 3rious in has done t — hand >me time younger 3 love to 3 soon as scene, I the-wav, warmly Or have precious " Gold, for instance," sneered Hal. " Yes, gold is the one thing neeess rv . i your never J posi- )rst of in old vay of in this id, my ■or the d man .et the I be in essing. friend, s her." me be- I can just he haway " What a philosopher !" muttered Alf. " He does net take his disappointment so much to heart as I expected he would, but perhaps this calmness is all in the cause of friendship. I should not wonder if Adelaide's jilting him has served to make a man out of a milk-sop." If the prospective bridegroom could have seen Hal's face when he closed the door so abruptly upon him, he would have had occasion to change his opinions about the young fellow taking his dis- appointment so philosophically. However, if any- thing could have reconciled him to the loss of his darling, it was the thought of being forced to accept Alf Hathav/ay as a father-in-law. " Mrs. Elliott must be crazy," was his thought, as he threw open the window, and leaning far out, he endeavored to cool his burning brow. The sound of voices below changed the current of his thoughts, and, without thinking what he was doing, he found himself listening to their conversation. Vernon had returned, and Alf had accosted him upon the stoop. Mechanically he listened to Alf's proposition that they should celebrate their nuptials on the same day, and Vernon cheerfully assented, subject, of course, to the approval of Adelaide. "He has been accepted!" thought Hal, and the last spark of hope died suddenly' out of his heart. 28 Faith and Friends. M " Delancy has promised to give my bride away," continued Alf ; " perhaps he can be induced to per- form a like favor for Adelaide. Rather a hard position, though, for a man to bestow on another the hand of a woman whom he once had hopes of winning for his own." "Hal in love with Mrs. Elliott!" exclaimed Ver- non. " Now that you speak of it, I remember it occurred to me the evening he first took me out there, that there was something between him and the old lady, (I beg your pardon, I should have said Mrs. Elliott). He might have known a fellow like him had no chance against you. That accounts for his being in the dumps lately." By a violent effort Hal prevented himself from expressing his indignation to his false friend. "/in love with Mrs. Elliott," he muttered, as he retired from the window. " I do not wonder you laugh," he muttered, as he listened to Alf's ringing laugh. " I am not surprised that you should find considerable amusement in Clifford's mistake. But I shall have to acknowledge you are right after all, Mr. Hathaway. Truth and honor have now got to be mere empty words. Adelaide is evidently as bad as the rest. What a happy family they will make. But I wnsh I had not been such a fool as to promise my services at the wedding. I suppose I am in for Faith and Fi-iemU 29 It now. I wonder if it woul.l be possible for «,e to discover some way out of it! I l.ave no relative .vinK at a distance to who.n I could be summoned by telegram just as the in.portant event was about to take place There is no chance for my bei,". ordered out of town on business for the «rm f^ that part o the work always falls to the lot o Mortmiore, lately." still turning the subject over in his n.ind, he fell asleef^ and did not awaken till the ringing of the breakfast boll. As the familiar sound Cld W„ fron. h.s slumbers, he felt he had been visited by some dreadful misfortune. . . ^ ■• But I cannot be quite heartbroken,' he thou-^ht when he remen.bered what had happened, " for I have enjoyed a good nighfs rest. Disappointe.i lovers are supposed to be also deserted by the drowsy god. ^ He found an answer to his silent petition of the n.ght before when he reached his plL of bu.si„es tne next morning. ; The manager left orders for you to go to his private room as soon as you came in." .said a fellow- clerk, as he passed on the way to his desk Secret y wondering what was wanted, he hastened to obey the sununons, thinking misfortunes never come sins- V "Wlmf \f r ^ , ,. "^*«* *^"feO- Uliat It I am to be dismissed?" 30 Faith and Friends. But his employer dispelled his fears by greeting him kindly and requesting him to be seated. " How would you like to take charge of our branch in the West Indies ?" questioned the old gentleman, as he bent a piercing look upon his trusted clerk. " Very much," answered Hal, in a manner which sui'prised himself at his own coolness. " Then you must make your preparations to-day. We have a message this morning that Howell, our former agent, is laid off by illness. The doctor has ordered him home, and his successor must be sent out at once. The Taymouth Castle sails to-morrow, and if you accept our offer you must sail in her." Should he accept their offer ? As if he could for an instant hesitate ! Did it not open for him a Y/ay to escape from attending that hated wedding ! When the Taymouth Castle sailed out of the har- bor the following morning, he was quite willing to be a passenger. He was thankful the time for making his preparations was so short. He would thus be able to escape from the ordeal of saying farewell to Adelaide. He could, before his depart- ure, send her and hor mother some substantial proof of his friendship, accompanied by a politely worded note wishing them every happiness in the new life they were about to enter, and then away into exile, Faith and I'Hends. 81 le where he would endeavor to forget his heartache in the busy whirl of business. He knew what lay be- fore him in the south, and that there would be no leisure for vain regrets. During the day he managed to find time to pack and dispatch a couple of valuable paintings to Brier- wood Cottage. He hesitated for some time over sending those treasured articles, purchased months before, and carefully hoarded for the purpose of one day decorating the cozy nest in which he had planned to enshrine Adelaide. " Away with all sentiment !" he at last exclaimed, decidedly. "I want nothing in my new home to remind me of what a fool I have made of myself for the sake of a false woman's smile. I feel compelled to send them something, and those will do as well as anything else." And with a firm hand he phiced the pictures in their case and directed them to the prospective brides. That accomplished, he spent the remainder of the evening in taking leave of his intimate acquaintances, and the following morning, soon after sunrise, he was seated on the deck of the steamer which was to bear him to the south. " The romantic chapter of my life is now closed," he thought, as he gazed longingly at the fast reced- ing shores of his native province. i1 32 Faith and Friends. CHAPTER IV. The Wedding Gifts. '* I RECEIVED a note from Hal Delancy this morn- ing," said Mrs. Elliott to her daughter on the day of Hal's departure. " Indeed 1" returned Adelaide, calmly. "And what does Mr. Delancy have to say for himself?" She was bitterly incensed at Hal's desertion, although not even to her mother would she have acknowledged her disappointment. " Here is his letter, you can read it for yourself," and she held the epistle towards her. ** I must confess I am sadly disappointed in that young man. He has acted so differently from Alfred," and a complacent smile crept around the corners of her mouth. Silently Adelaide took the letter and opened it. Any allusion to the worthy Alfred annoyed her exceedingly. When she mastered the contents she handed it back. ^<^ith and Prie^uh " ^0 llO lifts „o „ ^====: ^^ " ^'=«. gone "w,i„ri''"'' "'">' ••-""•k. shouM ^ " "•>'='•''' from /,;! r,i ^- ^« •"">«' ^7-P-gon of'r2rei"r"'"'"^ 'Suit frothed , V '""'"^ ''■"""•««« r„«i '■'■"'p''''''""^ "'e for myseJf alone," 35 Faith and FrientU. said Mrs. Elliott, angrily ; " fortune-hunter though he is, undoubtedly." " There, mamma, I am sorry I have vexed you ; I promise I will not say another word against my future fath«'r-in-law. Where are those trilling gifts of which Mr. Delancy s|)eaks in his letter. I am anxious to see what his tastes are wlien selecting gifts for ladies." " There is a box on the l»ack stoop which has just arrived, an- --'h! "'«»• own companionship "'' ''"^■'"«" "'« 'overs to -fi tew weeksj fi- "'.Vottage, and af tT; L'dul ""•'' '^'"■«' ^«'W<"at ''.'"'"' P""- took up th ,r S'"^.-" " «'-t tour.lf^ "ty residence, whfre t IVt ! '" *'• Hothaway's for spending a gay w tfr ^ "i '"'"' P'-'^P'^'ations W mother and ^tep-fo^ • . ^.''l'- J« «econ,pa„ied f -ove to extract what ' , "" "'="' '^I^O' e and c'-nged surroundr„g: ' ""'"'^ '^'^^ -"^ from he fiut she was not lon„ in rV ^ '" '''^covering that the step. lor 38 Faith and Friends. daughter of Alf Hathaway occupied a much inferior position to tlie one she had occupied as the sole heiress of Mrs. Elliott. Possessing only an average amount of good looks and accomplishments, she had nothing in particular to recommend her to the op- posite sex, consequently her little train of admirers rapidly diminished. She heard nothing from Hal after his departure, the expected letter never having arrived. His friend Clifford, immediately after her rejection of his suit, departed for his birthplace, a small town in the western part of the province, therefore she had no opportunity of learning any- thing regarding her old lover. That he meant to desert her she now felt fully convinced ; and, being a modern nineteenth century young lady, she had no intention of wearing her heart out in vain re- pinings. She now regretted her folly in so hastily dismissing Clifford. "But regrets will not bring him back," she thought, " so I can only retrieve my mistake by taking advantage of the first opportunity which comes my way." It F»-ith and Friends CHAPTER V. An Accn,EN7-Af. Meetino. found one scorching l„7. ^"^ ''"^^" ",e f-'fo'-e a group suLumnl "''"f ^"^^^ "'^ ?»"«« bearded man, who is en "L ■ ''"' '^'■""^''•J «'"J ^7""t of In-s travels in OH "? """" ^'''' '« voluble stranger realy be ou T t"'!" ^'^" "'- f orn whom we parted three v '"* ''"'^"'' ««'. 'Jeed he, what a chanl f I ^ ' ''^° ' « *' 's in- --«"'.' So thir;'e:;:,rm'r ^'''^^■^ '^-« eans over the railing witit W t " ^°'"'^» "''o . i°""»-^'« t''e group :f ; i^rh!', """""^ ""•'-'' ''ff'Te, as she listens to the J I. ™' ''"' '=«'"™' «-' had once caused her ea^ "T^"""^'"-^^ -- of an imprisoned bird when n , ^ ?""'^'' "'^'^ «'at 'J«»'nty plunmge. At It he ?" '"""' '''"'=''«« '•'« h-^ .-s receiving froj Zl ^T "' "" ^'^™«- t^^-ng his back- upon them ol"'""' ""'^' •=°°"^ '"' ''" 'wns over the rail- 40 Faith and Friends. ing near the lonely woman upon whom his eyes rest for an instant as they rove restlessly up and down the side of the vessel. "Miss Elliott that was!" he exclaims, as he smilingly advances towards her, with outstretched hand. " This is an unexpected pleasure. Are you travel- ling .done, or does your husband accompany you ?" " I am still unmarried," she answered, quietly ; so (juictly that she marvelled at her own calm manner, when her heart was beating so wildly at this acci- dental meeting with her old lover. " Indeed ! " w^as his surprised exclamation, " I tliought you married Clifford!" It now occurred to him he had never heard of her marriage, but he had been thinking of her as the wife of Vernon all these j^ears. " You have been incorrectly informed. Mr. Clifford left Halifax for the country a few days after your own departure, and I have never met him since. I have heard, indirectly, that he married soon after settling somewhere in the vicinity of Annapolis, but I cannot vouch for the truth of the statement." The slight tremor in the girl's voice tells him it is for his own sake Vernon has been rejected, for he feels instinctively her rejection of his old friend caused his sud-lh and Friends. 1 years, he mi^htl. J ^d m1 ? '°'- '"^ P^^ "' "e f ''ear to hin, ,h, ..^^J'^ ^'^ by his sfJe, unconscious of the fact h, ' '''*""^'' ^<^ has been - -f '" ^-"'-^ « he r:. '''= '"'' '--^^ h " once drea„.e,] she -.as to fi,° °'='="P>' "- P'ace he ^re Mr. and Mrs H.-fi *"« next question. """'''"'^y with you V ^^s ^o. I am aJone Th e °f Mr. Hathaway; ,C,^^^f'^' I became jeaioas '"Others affections with Jn^ '"' *° -^'"^'de my "'^'^elf. I have bee^ st r' ''"'^ ^'''"ek out for ;:;^ -e'e John and Wsy^f •r/'^'^'^"- ^'^^ ■'!'. and am „ow retS/^* "'^'''- Hudson ; -' as a hospital nursTl. ^'"^*"" ^-"^ '"y and My u„ele's marria.elha, '''' ""^ '"^'herC fed ™y p^^ ^^^^ «»es have considerably di,„i„! consequently I have to depeL r*"'"^ "'' ''^''•-«. t'ons for a livelihood " ^ "P"" "^ own exer- ^ g'^eat foeW of eomnn • I've the rest of our live! out i ^\^''°''''' we not P-'onshipr' he vnurn^ured,:';- "'"^^'^ -- ' ''' '"^ '■'■ew nearer to 42 Faith and Friends. her, regardless of the crowd by which they were surrounded. " Three years ago I meant to ask you to become my wife, but was deterred by the knowledge that you were one day to be a great heiress, and far be- yond the aspirations of a humble clerk. Now that our positions are more equal, I can ask the question without being looked upon by the woman I love as a fortune-hunter." " Really, this is so sudden ! I must have tim ^ to decide," said Adelaide, tremulously. " Till we reach Fall River, then," replies the im- petuous lover, and the girl, seeing the love-light in his eyes, knows when she leaves the boat that her answer will be " yes." The two remain together till the hour of parting comes. He leads her to the door of her state-room, and after tenderly bidding her good-night, they separate, each to dream of the one who has so un- expectedly crossed the other's path. ******** The moon has performed her monthly journejT^ since we met our friends upon the Fall River boat, and she again presents her round and shining face to the world. She smiles upon a group seated upon the piazza of a pretty cottage on the outskirts of the old historic town of Annapolis. Vernon Clifford, () Faith and Friends. 43 \\ 11 accompanied V)y his plump little wife, has just called at the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hathaway, to welcome his old friend Hal and his bride, who have landed from the midday train. Hal feels, as his hand is grasped by his friend, that it is the old Vernon who greets him, not the cynic he met in Halifax three years ago. As the two friends wander through the grounds later in the evening, Vernon tells him how his faith in mankind had been dulled by the treachery of some trusted friends before he left the West. " But my dear girl brought me back to life again, and made a man of me once jnore. Ah, Hal ! I tell you, never were truer words than those which say that a good woman's price is far above rubies." And Hal, listening to Addie's happy laugh ringing across the lawn, raised his hat as he reverently mur- mured, " Heaven bless them, and make us worthy of their devotion."