The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-03-11
obliged to do It. Truth and hooor demanded

Obliged TO 90 IL. truth ana nouor uemanueu
It.
Poor little Marion Morley I had often no
ticed her sad face, and longed to be OF use to
her, and had even tried to make her think
would befriend herif she needed it. had often
preached at her the hard lesson, IN whatsoever
state she was, Herewith to be content. But /
had never dreamed of love-I had never tried
to win her affection. As told her, marriage
lay very far in the dim future with meas far,
in fact, as the living that hoped would ulti-
matcly fall to my lot. 1t never crossed my
widest fancy that she would have taken more
than afriendly interest in me; therefore my
utter astonishment can be imagined when
received her poor little innocent letter promis-
ing to be the wife had not desired. How hard
it was to tell her that had never pcnncd the
letter she had received.
1 returned home humble and grieved-
grieved to have wounded her sensitive feel
ings, grieved that she should have given me
her love unsought Iprayed that night that
she might forget me. felt very guilty; and
yet could find nothing of which to accuse
myself. My chief feeling, however, was indig-
nation against the person, whoever he or abe
this. had my suspicious. Caroline Thorn
son was never a favorite Of mine; thought
her forward sly girl, precocious and assum-
ing; and imagined her quite capable OF play
ing such trick.
One day met Miss Tompson walking in the
u
converse alton around to practical jokes.
81 40 not know anything more cowardly
than to play practical joke" said, ION q
person whom circumstances place to a certain
extent In ones power. A practical joke of
any magnitude is insulting, cruel, stupid and
disgrace to one person only-the perpetra-
tor"
The girls face got very rcd, and she Uttered
nervously.
slave you ever played such jokei"
went on, 81 am pretty sure you have, and on
Miss Morley; have you not" demanded,
sternly.
"What do you meanln she stammered.
"Please answer me straightforwardly, Miss
Thomson | said, 'sor must, rs your clergy
man, apply TO your mother. You will know
what mean II your conscience accuses you
Did you not lately play practical joke upon
The girl burst into tears, and gradually told
me all-how she and Amy had written the let
ter in fun and never meant any harm; how,
when she imagined that Miss Morley had an
swered it, she was too frightened to confess !;
how she was 80 very sorry, and so on.
"YOu have done an unmaidenly cruel ac-
tion," said-"an action which, but for Miss
Morley's good sense and ladylike mind, might
have caused great mischief. / hope that this
win be a lesson to you, and that In the future
you will be more considerable for others feel
ings"
Il
this unfortunate letter would be ended; but it
grieved me to see how Miss Morley dropped
She seemed almost afraid to look At me, though
l strove hard to put her at her ease.
Some months passed by, and found myself
taking more and more interest In her, though
we rarely exchange words now. One day |
was much concerned to hear from Mrs. Thorn
son that she was leaving them.
''Miss Morley leaving!" Iexclaimed. "You
surprise me! Why is she going!"
81 cannot discover" said Mrs. Thomson.
'sShe has no complaints to make. Ihave always
been kind to her; but she says she must go; ;
and she does seem to be falling into bad health
here. It's great pity; but can't persuade
her to remain"
/ could not help feeling that was driving
her away. The thought caused me pain, and I
began to wish that had never told her had
not written that letter but had accepted the
love which now l began to prize. One thing l
determined; she must not leave her situation.
could far easier find another curaey than she
another home. IL went at once she would
doubtless remain; all need do was to speak
to her and tell her, as II casually, that l was
going. watched for an opportunity;
One afternoon mether coming out OF the
church; she had been trying the organ.
hurried to join her at the gate.
{" How do you do, Miss Morlevl" / said.
You have been practicing, see." +-
EYES," she replied.
at is queer old organ, is It notl" l con-
tinued. II wish the parish could afford q new
one" go
AZ suppose they cannot" she said. Good
:" Are you not going homea' asked.
"No;" she replied; 81 must go round by
$50 must I; and we will go together"
said. |" l want to tell you that | am going
away"
"Going away" she repeated. "whyf"
"To better myself, as the people say"
replied, smilingly. "Pve only just made the
arrangement-in fact, 1t was only this morn
ing that / told Mr.. Ponsonby, ami / mean to
leave In less than O month"
You will be missed here, Mr.. Clitheroe,"
{" Do YOU think soir asked, "Ah, fear
very little! But 1t is pleasant to think one
leaves kindly memory behind. When are
you going"
Thomson urges me to stay and not go at all. ~
81 know she does" ! said; "and hope
you WILL"
Perhaps Irmay," she replied; shut my
plans are not settled yet"
saw was right. Poor child, she had no
for some time In silence. I could not part
from her thus At last said suddenly:
"Miss Morley, love you'll cannot tell you
how much! When had to deny writing that
letter, 1 did not; but since then you have crept
into my inmost soul. Have I any chance
leftr'
''Mr Clitheroe, thank you," she answered,
calmly; but l must beg you to drop the sub
ject" " 81
sWhy?" / exclaimed.
"Why" she repeated because you are say
ing all this from pity. You think have been
unhappy, and won't be pitied"
''Indeed you wrong me-" pleaded; but she
was obdura tie.
/ saw her once more before left. was
lunching at Tbomson's. / had rose bud in my
hand, and presented it TO her.
SIS 1t not a lovely budl' asked.
Eyes; it is beau1y," she said.
"If you have not forgotten our conversation
the other day." pleaded, twill you wear this
rose as sign to me that you relent and will be
mineP'
She hesitated and turned very pale. watched
her closely. She seemed in doubt. Could
have spoken to her again, fancy could have
won my cause; but others came into the room.
She took up the bud and placedi In a vase full
Of flowers, and then left the apartment.
went away, and soon after obtained another
curacy. Sometimes heard from the village.
Marion Morley was still governess at the Thorn
sons; and, as did not like to inquire after