The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-02-09
FOULPLAY.
By euAs. READE AND DION BoUs1UAuh
a N o " II l..

Papa said Helen, after long pause,
just make him tell why he could not
trust to me. Why he passed pimselt
off to me for clergyman
4 am clergyman said Robert Pen
fold.
'OV said Helen, shocked to find him
so hardened, as she thought. She lifted
streamed from her eyes: well, sir,
said she family, Il see cannot reach
your conscience. One question more,
and then have done with you forever.
Why in all these months that we have
been alone, and that yOu have shown
me the nature, don't say Of an honest
man, but OF an angel,-yes, papa of an
one humble virtue, sincerity? 1t
belongs to man. Why could you not
say, Il have committed one crime in my
life, but repented forever; judge by this
confession, and what you have seen of
me, whether shall ever commit
another. Take me as am, and esteem
me as penitent and more worthy man,
but will not deceive you and pass for
a paragon Why could you not say as
much as this to me? If you love me,
why deceive me so cruelty p
These words, uttered no longer harsh
ly, but in a mournful, faint, despair
ing voice, produced an effect the speak
made two attempts to speak, but though
he opened his mouth, and his lips quiv-
cred, he could get no word out. He be-
gan to choke with emotion; and though
he shed no tears, the CONFUSION that
goes with weeping in weaker natures
overpowered him in way that was al
most terrible.
'Confound itY said General ROLES.
ton, this is monstrous of you. Helen;
it is barbarous. You are not like your
poor mother
She was pale and trembling, and the
tears flowing; but she showed her ma
tive obstinacy. She said, hoRrsely,
Papa, you are blind, He must answer
me. He knows he mustv
i must said Robert Penrold, gasp
ing still. Then he manned himself by
q mighty effort, and repeated with dig
nifty, Il will There was pause while
the young man still struggled for COM
posure and self-command.
was not on the point of telling you
my sad story? Then is it fair TO say
that l should never have told 1t you ?
But, o Miss Rolleston, you don't know
what agony it may be to an unfortu-
nate man to tell the truth. There are
accusations so terrible, so defiinS, that,
when a man has proved them false,
they stick TO him and coil him. Such
an accusation 1 labor under, and a
Judge and jury have branded me. If
they had called me murderer, would
have told you; but that is such dirty
crime. feared the prejudlces of the
world. I dreaded to see your face alter
to me. Yes, trembled, and hesitated,
and asked myself whether a man is
bound to repeat foul SANDER against
himself, even when thirteen shallow
men;have said it, and made the law lie.'
There said General ROllestOn, 4
thought how it would be, Helen; you
have tormented him into defending
himself, tooth and nail 30 now we shall
have the old story; he is innocent
never knew n convict that wasn't, If he
found fool to listen to him. l decline
to hear another word. You needn't
excuse yourself for changing your
name; 1 excuse it, and that is enough.
But the boat is waiting, and we can't
stay to hear you justify a felony
Il AM NOT a FELoN. l AM A MARTYR