Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-18

That's Just like you. Johnny Ludlow;
YOU have no more sense than a child in
some things" said the parson, crustily.
Grace laughed; and looked as if she
would like to take part with me.
II never could have suspected Sale of
such folly" went on the Rector, leaning
sideways to warm his hands over the
blaze. "Grace, do you think that soups
ready?''
II will see," answered Grace, putting
the wristband down.
Herbert Tanerton sat in silence, knitting
his brow into lines took the chair on
the other side the fireplace opposite to
him. thinking of this and that. and finger
ing the tongs to help me. A habit / was
often scolded for at home-that of finger
ing things.
Look here, Mr.. Tanerton; if they set
tie at the Bahamas, it will not signify
there who Margaret has been here.
Whether she may have helped in her
fathers business, or whether she may
have been-as you saba dukes grand
daughter, and brought up accordingly. it
will be all one to the Bahamas. Mr. Sale
need not say to the Bahamas: My wife
used to sell pennyworths of rhubarb and
magnesia.'"
ut is not that" Grossly responded the
Rcctor--"what people will think or say;
it is for Sales own sake that l object.
He cannot like the connection. A clergy
man should marry in his own sphere"
II suppose men are differently consti-
tuted, clergymen as well as Others" said
l with depreciation, remembering that ]
was plain, inexperienced lad, and he was
the Rector OF Timberdale. ''Some per-
sons don't care for social distinctions as
others do-dGn't even see them; perhaps
Mr.. Sale is one."
HE cares for probity and honor-he
would not choose to ally himselfto crime"
sternly spoke the Rector. Remember
what the son did, that ill-doing Benjamin
You know about it, Johnny The affair of
the bank-note."
And If Herbert Tanerton had said to me
the affair Of the moon and planets. could
not have been more surprised. How did
you get to know of ?' asked
"Mr. Rymer told me on his death-bed.
l was attending him spiritually. Ofcourse.
l have never spoken of it, even to my
wife / should not think of speaking of it,
but consider that it lies in my duty to
disclose the facts to Mr.. Sale.''
"Oh, no don't-don't. please, Mr.. Tan
erton ~ l cried out. starting up in sort of
distress, for the words seemed to take hold
of me. mo one knows of it: no one1 but
the Squire, and /, as you say, and Mrs.
Rymer, and you, and Ben himself; Jelfs
dead, you know. 1t need never be brought
up again in this world and dare say it
never will be. Pray don't tell Mr. Sale,
for Margaret's sake"
"But / have said that consider it my
duty TO tell him." replied the parson,
steadily. Here he comes! y
turned to the window, and saw Sale
trudging up to the parsonage through the
snowy field pathway, his black hair, and
red, rugged face presenting kind of con-
trast to the white glare around. Ugly, he
might be called; but it was a face to be
liked, for all that. And the ring of his
voice was true and earnest.
The affair, alluded to by the Rector,
was this Ben Rymer, who had received
classical and fairly liberal education, had
been intended for a surgeon. To give him
a knowledge Of the properties of drugs
and medicines, Mr.. Rymer had first put
k:s.s behind kis=awn counter at Timber
dale. and then placed him with chemist
at Tewkesbury. There Ben fell into bad
companionship. Later, when he was
again staying at home, he visited the let
ter-bag one night, (Mr. Rymer was then
Postmaster of Timberdale,) opened let
ter that was addressed to Mrs. Rodhetley,
took out five-pound note it contained,
land which he CHANGED to know was
there,) and substituted another for it..
This other was note stolen at Tewkes-
bury by some Of Ben's companions: they
had given it to him to get rid Of, and
Al. -. Al Ia u n
the changing of the notes was enyeloped
in fog. or, as Thomas Rymer himself ex-
pressed it, in sea of mystery later, Ben's
share in it came out. Not to the world in
general only to one or two items of its
people. 1t helped to kill Thomas Rymer,
and it sent Mr.. Ben off on his wanderings
again. 1t was a bit of i'll luck for him, he
had nearly pulled up, was reading hard at
his medical books, and had become as
steady as could be. Never. since then
heard of. And it was this that Herbert
Tanerton was now threatening to disclose
to the Citrate But / did not think he d
lit.
1--WE were Just talking of you," was the
Rector's greeting to Mr. Sale as the cura,e
came into the room. Bring a chair to
seat I'm sure its cold enough to make
one wish to be in the fire to-day instead of
round it," =
~"What were you saying about me p'
asked Mr.. Sale, drawing forward the
chair, and giving me nod in his short
way. II came to tell you, how i'll Jael
Batty is. I'm not sure she'll get overit.'
oh said the Rector in sighting
tone, as if Jael Batty had no right to in
trude herself into more momentous con-
vcrsation. ''Batty is careless and indltfer-
ent in her duties, and makes her deafness
an excuse for not coming to church. I'll
Try and see her in the course of the day.
We were speaking of Miss Rymer."
Herbert Tanerton, believe, had peo-
pies welfare at heart but he had cold
way of saying things that seemed to take
all the kindness out vi his words. If he
ONCE considered it was his duty to tell
fellow Of his faults, tell he did. face to
face, in the most uncompromising man
ner. He had decided that his duty lay
with Mr.. Sale. to-day, and he began to
hold forth without ceremony. The curate
did not seem TO be in the least put out but