The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-06-29
Perfect Love is Simple Faith.

The three magistrates had sat uninter-
ruptedly far into the autumn afternoon,
and had now retired to consider their
decision 1t was distressing case, and
occurring in Singlebridge, which is a
mere handful of town, provoked in
tense interest among the inhabitants
Everybody knew the parties concerned.
Silas Westbrook, the reluctant prosecu-
tor, was senior partner in an impressively
solid firm which had fourished in the
borough for generations. He enjoyed a
reputation for strict probity and broad
benevolence which was singularly mer-
tied. His son Augustus (also in the
firm), witness for the prosecution, was
held in much esteem by certain of the
younger sort in Singlebridge, who SYM
pathized with his amiable witnesses;
and if certain Of the older sort looked
askance at these, why, that was only nat
ural About Mr.. Blanchard, another
witness for the prosecution, little was
known to the nquiring gossips. He had
been resident with the Westbrooks for
about eight months, during which period
he had sat alongside Gus in the Office in
business hours, and had been good deal
about with him at other times. They
got on amazingly we'll together, people
observed, but despite all his eforts-and
some of these were marked enough
suave Mr. Blanchard failed to similarly
captivate Gus pretty sister Fanny. As
became her fathers daughter, she treat
ed the West Indian connection of her
fathers firm with unfaltering gracious
ness. But her sweetest moods, her ten
derest looks and gentlest tones were not
for him. The magician at whose bidding
they so gladly came was Blanchard's in
stinctive foe. From the moment Harold
White, confidential clerk to the firm, and
a potential partner therein, met and SIM
ply shook hands with the West Indian,
they hated each other with hatred that
owed its sustenence on the one side to
contempt, and on the other to malice
and uncharitableness. To-day will be-
hold the triumph or discontinue of
Blanchard. In the police court of Sin
glebridge, in presence of crowd of peO-
pile, the majority of whom are personally
known to him, Harold White stands ac-
cused, on the united testimony of the
Westbrooks, father and son, of embez-
Element.
To the profound chagrin of the mag
istrate's clerk, who, cordially disliking
Blanchard, wishes well to the accused,
who conducts his own defense.
"Silence in the court
OF the four actors in the little drama
old Mr.. Westbrook betrays the most ag-
itation as the opening of door at the
back of the court heralds the return of
the magistrates to their seats on the
bench. The silence is oppressive when,
in voice full of meaning, the chairman
turrs up to the accused and says:
"Harold White, | who have known
YOU for so many years, need. not say that
the long examination which my brother
magistrates and myself have this day
conducted to the very best of our ability
has been to all of us fraught with the
utmost pain. And we are bound to adj
NIT, in your behalf, that nothing has
transpired in the course of this hearing
which reflects in the least on your con-
duet during the Eeriod to which refer.
We have given due consideration to this
fact in your favor, and have come to the
conclusion, actuated by motives which
we earnestly hope you will live TO aPpre-
ciate in proper spirit, to dismiss this
case. You may 60"
but my character" exclaimed
White, in voice husky with emotion !;
"who is to clear that of taint?
Yourself" solemnly answered the
chairman. "Call the next case"
Dazed, trembling under the influence
of warning passions, he left the dock and
passed out of the court into the sunlit
street. Whittier should he direct his
feet? As he slowly and mechanically,
seeing nothing, hearing nothing, with
bowed head and leaden gait, stole along
in the direction of the river side, he felt
a touch on his arm. He paused.
1t was one of Mr.. Westbrook's clerks.
The lads mouth was tremulous with
sympathy.
Mr.. Westbrook has sent me with this
note, Mr.. White. Is there any answerw
Yes" he replied, tearing the paper
into atoms, 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 court house and pray to
be allowed to proclaim my innocence 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
n cody 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 presence
of the girl he loved. What did she think
of him?
Harold?"
Fanny"
In those two words all was expressed.
In that fierce embrace doubt was slain.
40, Harold, | have followed you for
hours fearing to speak, you looked so
pale and changed"
81 am changed They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison faint
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the moral leper, as the rest of them nave
done?
Because"-and it seemed to him as
if her voice had never thrilled with such
sweetness before-"I know YOU"
And you believe
That all will be righted yet. / 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
no place for you"
Harold and she had not heard the foot
teps. It was Blanchard aud her brother
who had approached unnoticed.