The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-15

Yes" he replied, tearing the paper
into atoms, g there is. Mr.. Westbrook
wishes to see me. Tell him that we
shall not meet again until he is prepared
to stand up in that courthouse and
pray to be allowed to proclaim my in
nocence in tones as loud as those which
he used to-day in declaring my guilt. :"
The lad left him. The September
sun was sinking redly behind familiar
belt of woods which fringed the further
| banks of the river as he continued his
moody walk. He had held on for miles,
needless of the direction he took, and
now he awoke from his fit of passionate
bitterness to find himself on a spot that
had often been hallowed by the pres
ence of the girl he loved. What did she
think of him?
" Haroldr'
Fanny
In those two words all was expressed.
In that fierce embrace doubt was slain.
80 Harold, have followed you for
hours, fearing to speak, you looked so
pale and changedn'
81 am changed. They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison-taint
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the moral leper,a as the rest of them have
done?'
Because'-and it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled
with such sweetness before--''I know
you"
"And you believe
That all will be righted yet. I can
wait, dear-if you will let me. You
never were more precious to me than
you are at this moment"
"Miss Westbrook- Come, Fanny,
this is no place for you"
Harold and. she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who had approached unnoticed.
And no place for you, either" said
White to Blanchard.
"Faugh," replied that worthy, 81
have no words to waste on such as YOU,
sir | am here to perform a duty
Scoundrelr' Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand She touched
him, and he was still
Sir" said she, Il am mistress of
mig own actions. If choose to accom-
pany my brother, it is-because | choose!
Harold, gOod-by! Come what may my
faith will not falter, my love never
change
The last four words were murmured
AS she shaped them she reached for
ward and kissed him before her brother
whose surprise at her defiant attitude
was unspeakable. ..
They parted and went their several
ways.
The charge against Harold White of
enlightenment, and the result of it, pro-
duced a wonder that lasted much longer
than the prOverbial nine days. His de-
parture, the day after the hearing, no
one knew whittier, had had the effect of
increasing the number and sympathy of
his friends. 1t was generally admitted
that his defense had been weak-incom-
prehensibly weak. But who knew? he
might have had his own invincible rea-
sous for not making it stronger. Why
had the brother of his affianced (for she
was his affianced in all but an open
formal declaration of the fact) broken
with him SO suddenly? Until Blanchard
appeared on the scene they were in
separable. Depend upon it, the West
Indian was at the bottom of it. In this
fashion the gossips of Singlebridge dis
cussed the events which had led to Har-
old Whites downfall and departure.
Three months had elapsed, and not
word had been heard of or from Har-
old White; unless, the female gossips
suggested, he had written to Miss West
brook, which, considering the circum-
stances which preceded his departure,
he was hardly likely to have done. For
once, however, they were out in their
calculations. He had written her a let
ter in which these words occurred:
eff | thought, darling, that you
would be happier to be rid of me for
good and all, our bond should be dis
solved. tits your love for and simple faith
in me that sweetens my life and keeps
me steadfast in my determination to
undo the miserable wrong from which
| suffer. They shall right me yet.
81 have borrowed for the present an
other name-my mothers before her
marriage; but the people with whom |
am know that | am Harold White, and
are acquainted with my history. Unjust
try, dear, to rub on without the conso-
lation which your letters would bestow.
1t is better that we should seem to have
parted forever. In the good time we
shall meet-and thenr'
ItpuzzIed well-informed Singlebridge
to hear Fanny Westbrook's cheerful
words, to note her placid brow and
bright manner "She never could have
thought much of that Harold White,
you know, or she would have mani
tested some regret at his misfortunes."
Blanchard, too, was mystitied by her
What did it portend? Had she re-
signed all hopes of becoming restored
to the lover whom he had so effectually
helped to disgrace and Danish? Was
the course clear at last? He would see
Hisimpetuous love for the sunny-haired,
Saxon-eyed girl love which sprang
into existence the moment they met had
grown nightly since the going of
White. He would put an end to this
uncertainty. He would face his fate
Gan interview with me?" replied
Fanny to his blandly-proffered request;
certainly, Mr.. Blanchard. Her tone
was provokingly even. "And, if you
please, let it take place now. Pray be
seated"
If she had only been embarrassed.
"Miss Westbrook, I-I-fear that the
I Al.