The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-05-15

The reverend gentleman found some.
thing rather singular in the astonished
query dilatiDg tho eyes lifted to his for
an instant, and secretly wondered
whether he had been guilty of bland.
DER. The lady's reply came somewhat
tardily, the problem of his late remark
occupying her mind.
"That my aunt has studied effect
with the most unrivalled SUCCESS I
think no one present would dispute.
But-but will you pardon me if I OK.
press my surprise that you should have
sought it so far as to introduce that
prayer p
! A slight flush touched bis forehead :;
but like his fair interlocutor, he did
not Immediately speak, When he did,
II was in the same discreetly modulated
tone.
"You will pardon me, am sure, if
reply that am astonished you should
have engaged clergyman to oficiate
on this occasion, your sentiments being
such as you lntimate.'
IL do net understand you," she re-.
turned, anxiety and amazement sharp.
eolne her voice strangely. "Mr. Hill.
man, will you interpret your friends
meaning for me 7" addressing the new.
ly'made husband as he turned from
ono Of the bridesmaids, who had claim
ed his undivided attention for the last
five minutes.
"What am I to interpret ?" he asked
gayly.
| "There is no occasion, Mrs. Hillmsn,
l will bs my own interpreter" said
Mr. Thornton, with suspicion by no
means pleasant. care you not aware
that l am regularly ordained clergy
man Z"
i "Y'u are a neddlssome puppy r
thundered Field Hillman, furious at
this unexpected and premature disclos.
ure, "and were it not for your sacred
cloth, I would"
i Mrs. Hsrcourt's naughty rebuking
presence here imposed a timely check
on bis fierce speech. A flush effaced
the angry pallor of his face, and he said
in subdued tones:
81 beg your pardon, Mrs. Harcourt
1 forgot myself" Then, conscious tn at
, something more was necessary, he i'm.
, petuously burst out, amidst silence in
. which the faint rhythmic drip Of The
fountains was distinctly audible, 81
F beg your pardon not only for this nm.
gentlemanly act, but for having abused
your confidence and generous hospital
, ity by making your niece my wife with.
J.. out either her OF your knowledge o,
+ consent. This gentleman, presented K
> you simply as my fiend, is the Rev
. Martin Thornton Of L.: And
= would here must emphaticslly acqui
. him of the slightest completely, assur
ing you that I alone am responsible,
> for the whole, excepting this cenfes.
sion, which he has idiotically precipi.
tated. Of choice I should have select.
ed a more suitable moment than the
present.
> His clear, rapid enunciatiou was
! here broken by the ripple of passionate
tenderness as he bent over the vic.
, tim Of his intrigue. From the first
, she had stood like piece of sculptur-
ed marble, mute speech on the pale
parted lips, and with horrifed tension
Of the beautiful eyes fixed on his face.
"You will forgive me, Kathie :" ht
r murmured.
e It was as if cold marble had sud
: denly been gifted with life. He,
Q slight, elegant form seemed to tower
into majestic proportions; the wild
horror died out Of the eyes now blaz
, ing above the dllated nostrils and
, proudly curved lips. She spoke
| "Forsive you? Heaven may forgive
. you, but never will !" Then with
, swift motion toward Mrs. Harcourt
her voice rung the gasping appeal
: "Help me, Aunt Florence, help me =
Il Mrs. Harcourt, standing there tn
t very impersonation of voiceless indig
, natisn and astonishment. had scarcel,
been aroused to speech and action b,
her nisce's words, when the light feur
8 swayed and fell dead weight on Fielt
e Hillman's hastily extended arm.
81 "Follow me-" shs briefly directed
t and utterly oblivious Of the gaping
+ thupderstruck crowd, rapidly led til,
e way to the hall.
d The reign of silence Vas at an end
f Inquiries beat like hsil.storm arount
Q Mr.. Thornton's devoted ears. Copjec
. lures and speclations flew madly frsm
, lip to Lip. Sneors curved ugly line.
t about some mouths, and anxious sym.
4 pathy tender ones about others. And
t this continued till glimpse Of Fi.lt
. Hillman dashing out of the house like
. a mailman suggested to some thoug ght'
? fal individual tho propriety Of ending
Q the entertainment by an instant ans
4 uncermonious departure.
81 The fashionable world had barrel,
Q breakfasted the next morning when
: Field Hillman, pale and anxious, va
: admitted to Mrs. Harcourt's boudoir
t That lady received him alone, and Will
Q a eraoiousness wholly unexpected. T.
speak truth, Mrs. Harcourt's views hal
q | snffcred q chonoa s;noo ~, l.;a.,