The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-11-14

Is easy enough 10 accustom ones self To
happiness, and Of late Philip had al
lowed himself to hope rcscrvedly. Helen
was 50 captivating, SO whining.
One afternoon he asked her 70 drive
with him. Ills courage failed him when
il came to the point, and he had hard
work to put this question into words.
But AZ last he succeeded. Could
she love him? Would she marry himP
Helen turned away from him her sweet,
proud face with its half smile. But she
did not refuse him. She only asked for
time for reflection, for elaboration.
Philips heart beat high. Had he gained
her?
But il was not over yet. " There Is
something more,- he began; IA dis
closure have To make. DO not be
startled. l-you-' Then, In breath,
:" am Philip 'rrapier."
She fairly gaspcd. It WAS if fair
and stately castle Of dreams had been
suddenly shattered at her feet Philip
Trapicri The forgcr! The oucast,
Actually a shape took form before her
eyes Of Philip in his blue dress and
shavcn head. The disgrace was a.
close and real to her to-day rs though
he had not since that time achieved al
honorable position. Marry himp Never!
Why, any day the subject might be
brought up: he might be recognized. the
old story Of shame repeated.
IL mattered not to her why he had
done il, how he had done IL: She had a
convenient memory.
.Why did You not tell me at first?-
she said. Philip could not have believed
sweet tones could turn SO icy ..What
you did then was a great shock to me-
to all your friends. | have thought Of
you since as dead II was better 20.
never could bring myself to overlook
such IN offcnse.r
Not trace-not a shred Of pity. II
is in his heart 10 cry, ~ did il for
you." but he refrain-.' She feels his
thought, for she adds: .There was
an impression 1T the time that you
wished 10 raise money to pay of the
mortgage on our place. II was cruel to
implicate us--Amy and myself in such
transaction. Besides. you did not
succeed. The place fell into Mr. Gray's
hands. Thank Heaven il did, rather
than Your money should have paid the
debt--thc price Of crime. | would
rather have begged my bread from door
to door"
She would not. of course. but her face
famed as she said H. And at least She
did not simulate her horror and disgust
al Philips communication. She said
10 herself that she would rather associ-
ate with a murderer than with thief.
She was proud. and she was ambitious
A man with such stain upon his past
was no mate for her, and il was as well
he should understand 1t. She gathered
up her skirts, and said good-cvening to
him with calm politeness when they
parted, but she did not offer him her
hand.
Philip pursued his homcward way. At
his garden gate he found Nanny Jones
standing, and who but Amy stood be-
side her. Amy had strolled by on her
return from a country walk, had seen
Nanny. and had recognized her. II
was not strange that, having identified
Nanny, she should proceed To identify
Philip. She had just dragged from
Nanny the confederation Of her suspi-
cions when Philip came up. She greet
cd him with outstretched hands. She
had not forgotten his goodness in the
past. And she was 50 glad Ia see him,
% proud Of him, as every angel must be
over one sinner that repenteth. Mann
my mumblcd some excuse, and hobbled
back to the house. She was rheumat
ic old woman now.
"Thank heaven.- Philip said, fer
vently, II am not too vile for you 10
touch my hand"
Amy looked into his face, and rea 4
there that he had come from Helen, and
what had passed.
I" You think may be forgiven" he
added.
"When a shadow passes across a
white wall, ii leaves II as white a. il
was BEFORE" Amy said, with tears in
her eyes.
The old song sings Of "a friendship
which like love is warm, love like
friendship steady Philip and Amy
were friends Of that sort from that hour.
Is il strange their friendship should af-
forward have ripcned into loveP-Har-
per's Bazar.