Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-12-11

A0hJ WAA0A DAO 0AAl llAp bAAAu DAAD 10 4lO
exception to the rule.
But as to attaching any really serious
import to the confession Of Miss Smith,
that never occurred to him fol q mo-
ment. He soothed her, offered her
such consolation as he could, thought
she was most pious and interesting
girl, and fell madly in love with her.
From the moment he made the dis
covery his conduct to her altered. He
tempted her to talk less about herself
and to be cheerful. He didn't want
the girl he was in love with to be too
persistently miserable sinner. She
was so charming and 50 nice that he
felt she might very well keep that in
the background little.
A white tie and a clerical coat do not
alter mans nature; and when man
falls madly in love with a woman, he
likes to imagine her as near perfection
as possible.
Miss Smiths manner changed also.
She discovered the parsons secret be-
fore it was many days old. She was
still pleased to see him, but she avoided
all reference to her sins.
Once he questioned her about her
past life. For moment she went
deadly pale, then the color rushed to
her cheeks, and she stammered out
remark which turned the conversation.
Miss Smith saw that the Rev. Charles
Grosvenor was at her mercy. 1t was
only question of time when he would
tyO u oroyrro1 Gbo,,1I oh ov,oo,,,,
age him, or discourage his secret, and
stop itwhile there was yet timer
In her difficulty she laid the case be-
fore her mother, and asked her advice.
The old lady was frightened out of
her wits She dare not think about
such thing, she said. Of course it
would be the making of her if she could
marry clergyman; but how could it
be doneP He would have to know the
history of her life first, and then:
"And then he wouldn't have me-"
answered the girl, passionately.
"Of course not, my dear, said Mrs,
Smith, sat least 1 should think not"
"Shall tell him? Shall l confess
all the next time he comesP'
Again Mrs. Smith was frightened.
She does not like to think what the re-
suit of that confession will be. They've |
managed at last to find spot where
they can live quietly and unknown.
why must all the miserable story be
brought Up againP
Miss Smith failing to get any practi-
cal advice from her mother, thinks the
matter over quietly by herself, and by
the time she sees her admirer again
she settled on her course of action.
She meets him in the field that leads
to the church.
1t is a bright summer morning, and
they pause by a stile to look at the
yellow and red of the far stretching
fields. g
The Rev. Charles Grosvenor COM
mences by talking about nature, and
comes down talking about
aims and prospects in life.
Little by little the conversation slides
into the groove he wished, and in five
his hand and fortune have been
laid at the feet of the lady listener.
He hadn't meant to be so abrupt, he
had meant to keep his secret a little
longer, but it had slipped out accident
ally among the poetry and domestic
details, and he was very glad it was
over.
Miss Smith was of course very much
surprised. The curate had caught her
hand as his accents grew more impas-
stoned. She allowed him to retain it
till he had finished, then drew it gently
away. ... I'D .....e.. s-. l-..
Mr.. GrosVenor,' she said, quietly,
'' l will answer you fairly and frankly.
Before you made me such an offer you
should have ascertained to whom you
we're speaking"
"What do you mean%
"You do not know who or what
am"
" know that you are an angel"
Miss Smiths lip curled slightly, but
ler voice trembled as she answered:
" AS you have gone so fer it is only
tight you should know something about
ne. My name is not Smith. That is
a false name"
n AoblSC udL1Ci UuO pC4o oOA pOAs |
' Dear me! why do you want false
lameP'
" Listen, and will tell you. Did you
ever hear of terrible crime for which
.wo men and two women were con-
lemned to deathP 1t was called 'mys-
cry at first. But when the facts came
20 light it was called murder One !
nan starved his wife to death, and the
)ther people helped him. He wanted I
% marry a younger woman, and this t
woman was one of the &C !
,used." t
IL remember the case,' stammered t
he curate. "It was very awful; but
don't see what you've got to do with /
t." /
The perspiration stood on his brow, I
md he began to mop itwith his pocket {
He half expected to hear |
hat Miss Smith was a relative of one |
If the criminals. s
" You remember," continued the {
girl, speaking rapidly now and without {
emotion, ''that all four were condemned
o death, but the young girl was at the !
asst moment granted free pardon and {
allowed to return to the world and her
riends.'' $3.50 I