Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-07-11
Perfect Love Is Simple Faith.
London Society.

I
| their decision. 1t was a distressing
case, and occurring in Singlebridge
which is mere handful of q town
provoked intense interest among tn
| inhabitants. Everybody knew the par
relucta ut prosecutor, was senior partne
In an impressively solid firm which
had fiourished in the borough for gen
erations. He enjoyed reputation fol
prObibity and broad benevOlence which
was singularly merited. His sun Au
gustus (also in the tirm), witness fol
the prosecution, was held in much es
teem by certain OF the younger sort in
Singlebridge, who sympathized witt
his amiable witnesses, and if certain
of the older sort looked askance a
these, why, that was only natural
About Mr.. Blanchard, another witness
for the prosecution, little was known
to the inquiring gossips. He had beer
resident with the Westbrooks for abOu
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 well together
people observed, but despite all his ef-
forts-and some Of these were marked
enOugh-suave Mr.. Blanchard failed
to similarly captivate Gus's pretty sis
ter Fanny. AS became her fathers
daughter, she treated the West Indian
connection of her fathers firm with
unfaltering gruciou5neSS. But heI
sweetest moods, her tenderest looks
and gentlest tones were not for him.
-
SO gladly CANE WAS Blanchard's in.
stinctive foe. From the moment Har-
aid White, confidential clerk to the
firm, and potential partner therein,
met and simply shook hands with the
West Indian; they hated each other
with hatred that owed its sustenance
on the one side to contempt, and on the
other to malice and all uncharitable-
ness. To-day will behold the triumph
or discolGtitu of Blanchard. In the
police curt of Singlebridge, in the
presence of crowd of people, the ma
jority of whom are personally known
10 him, Harald White stands accused
ON the united testimony of the West
brooks, father and son, Of emtezzle-
ment.
To the profound chagrin of the mag
istrnte's clerk, who, cordially disliking
Blanchard, wishes we'll to the accused,
the latter conducts his own defenso.
Silence in the cOurt!'
OF the four actors in the little drama
old MIR. Westbrook betrays the most
agitation as the opening of door at
the back of the court heralds the re-
turn of the magistrates to their seats on
oil i0 10 a
when, in voice full Of meaning, the
chairman turns to the accused and
says:
'Harsld White, l 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. All are bound
to admit, In your behalf, that nothing
has transpired in the course of this
hearing which reflects in the least on
your conduct during the period to
which l refer. We have given due
consideration, actuated by motives
which we earnestly hope you will live
to appreciate in proper spirit, to dis
miss this case. You may co.
But my character exclaimed White,
in voice husky with emotion; who
is to clear that Of taint?
'Yourseif,' 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
street. Whittier should he direct his
feet? AS he slowly and mechanically,
seeing nothing, hearing nothing, with
bowed and leadsn gait, stole in the di.
rection of the river side, he felt touch
on his arm. He paused.
II was one of Mr.. WestbroOk's clerks.
The lads mouth was tremulOus with
sympathy.
sMr. Westbrook has sent me with
this note, Mr.. White. Is there an an
swer?'
Yes he replied, tearing the paper
to atoms, there is. Mr.. Westbrook
wishes to see me. Tell him that we
shall not meet again until he is prepa'
red to staud up iii that court house
and pray to be allowed to proclaim my
innocence in tones rs loud as those
which he used to day in declaring my
guilt
The lad left him. The September
sun was sinking redly behind a famili-
ar belt of woods which fringed the
further banks of the river as he con-
tinued 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 him
self on spot that had often been hal
lowed by the presence of the girl he
loved. What did she think of him?'
'Harald!'
'Fannyl'
In those two words all was express
ed. In that fierce embrace doubt was
slain.
%, Harald. l have followed you for
hours, fearing to speak, you looked 80
pale and changed!'
Il am changed. They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison taint
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the neral leper, rs the rest OF them
have?
'Because'-apd it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled
with such sweetness befUre-'I know
you.' ..
And you believe
That all be righted yet. l 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 Tor YOU
Harald and she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who had approached unno-
ticed.
And no place for you, either said
White to Blanchard.
'Faugh,' replied the worthy, i have
no words to waste on such as you, sir.
| am here to perform duty.
'Scoundrel!' Harald began ,at the same
time raising his hand. She touched
him and he was still.
Sir said she, Il am mistress of my
own actions. II choose to a,compa-
ny brother, 1t is-beeause l choose.
good-by! Come what may,
my faith will not falter, my love never
chaupe.'