The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-09-16
THE FAIR MENDlCANT
AN ENGLISH STORY.

THE FAIR MENDICANT.
AN ENGLISH STORY.
Paul Ncntnor was the curatc of Bladcsburg
with wisdom ia his head, with tenderness in
his heart hut with little money in his pock-
One June morning. as he was coming
round the portcr's lodge of Foley Hail. he
heard y sweet pllinlive voice say:
''Fnr the love Of God help met am starry
ing
He raised his head, quite started out Of his
epuanimtv. On the steps sat Il Young wo-
man. Her checks were teaI-saincd, and her
head and shoulders were enveloped sn a
shawl. That she was suffering was evident,
vet She Wore neither the air nor the dress of
an ordinary mendicant.
He stopped and regarded her for a moment,
and then dropped a coin into her outsrctchcd
palm. She did not close her hand; she did
not look up to see if he was young or old, or
down at the coin TO note its value.
'Thank YOU" she murmurcd, never rails
inc the dark cyclasbes from the wet checks
II can keep body and soul a little longer
together with that. And then? Why, can
| beg again, even if it kills me- Oh kind sir,
| ill-paid though it be. Anything rather than
to beg.
Thoughtfully the young cllratc stood, with
one hand holding his hat and the other in his
pocket. Then his eyes fell upon the full
white, finely rounded arm; next upon the
sweet, sad, Oval face.
"Yuu seem to be a stranger hcrp?" he
>aid
II am; walked over from Shadestonc' .
/ ''Walked? not in day.
"No--nor in ten OF them, sir | worked a
little here and begged little there, and starry
ed between the times" replied the Woaian
adding TO the voice that was so sweet and low
n LITTLE, hysterical laugh that made him shud-
der.
''Wherc are You @ong?" he asked
"N here, d" not know, sir. Anywhere
away NoI would have died first"
| She said that with 1chrmence; il was not
clear what she meant, but She seemed so much
of u lady, and Paul was invariably so polite,
that he relrainel from asking an eNpana-
! 1ion.
"What kind of employment. do You seek ?''
was his next question.
Some for willing hands and heart to do,
sir. Teaching would suit me best, but it is
not for me to state my preferences"
During all this time she had not raised her
eyes to his face. Was it from humility or
shame? He WAS not one easily deceived,
only he wanted a fair scrutiny Of her face and
| ewes.
II :m the curate Of Bladcaburg," he said,
''AIv name is Paul Nentnor. This is the
lodge at Foley Hall. If you will enter it
with me- | will get you Il temporary home, at
least. Come
She rosrtv her feet, then clcvating her head,
she fixed her eyes upon him. They were
such trusting brown eyes that they set his
nerves 4 tinging. As they behed his own
they deepened in intensity, and more and
| more OF the childish sweetness came into her
face The curate felt that he could trust her,
but he also felt somewhat embarrassed, which
made him feel veNed at himself.
You have not told me your name," he
said.
"No, | have not she replied, the color in
hcr cheeks deepening. Then with the least
perccptibc hesitancy she said, MY name is
Grace Tcnpleton.
Paul Nrnnor thought it was 4 very pretty
name but didnot sayso. lleseizedthe knocker
ut the door and gave il Il vigorous peal. A ser
want answered it, and the two soon stood in
the presence of the lady of Foley Hall. She
esteemed the Young curtte very highly, and
placed Il proper appreciation on his character
and talents. A word from him in behalf OF
Grace would have been sufficient, had she
not possessed any personal or mental charms
even.
The result OF the interview was that she
was at once accepted at Foley Hall, not as a
menial, but Us a companion to my lady, who
was u widow and an invalid. Grace was re-
fined, able and scholarly, and her natural vi
vacity soon returning to her. no .one could
have been more companionable to one who was
disposed to he laciturn and gloomy.
/ Six months passed away, and during that
time Paul Nentnor visited Foley Hall more
frequently than there was any absolute ne
cessi1y for, and was not long unconscious OF
the motive that took him thithcr. Day by
day Grace grew more lovely to his eyes, and
more dear to his heart She attended his
ministry with rare constancy, and his ser
mons seemed dull and soundlcss to himself
when She was not in her pew with her great
brown eyes fixed upon his face He was des-
} pcrately in love with her. but he made no
dee laraton. The living at Bladesburg was
only worth five hundred pounds per annum
and he could not think Of marrying upon
that.
AT the end OF six months q servant in livery
appeared at Foley Hall,
Il have a letter for Lady Tcmplcton,' he
said.
'For whom?' responded my lady, with 4
stare.
''For the earl's daughter, for the lady OF
Templcton Place"
The madam took the letter, with the great
red seal, in !; dazed sort of a way, then rang
t the bell for Grace.
"a letter for YOU" she said
Grace's face grew red and white by turn:
as her eye fell upon the directions upoastht
letter. She glanced at the servant, who bow
e ed with scrvilc reverence.
This is from my father, the earl" sht
. said "Docs he know that | am here Mr.
/ Williamson
T; s.llc does not, my lady. Your brother Ed
> gar has kept his secret we'll
r She opened the letter and read as follows
/ .'TEMpIEroN PLACE, Nov. %, 1919.
: NV Dear Grace | have reentch. You al
angel. while am Il choleric old fool. You wer