The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-02-24
Obliged to do II. Truth and honor demanded

00neeQ 70 90 II Irut0 ma nooor oeWAooeo
Is.
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 her If she needed it. Ihad often
preached at her the hard lesson, in whatsoever
state abe was, Herewith to be content. But
had never dreamed of love-I had never tried
lay verJ far in the dim future with meas far,
in fact, IS the living that hoped wonld ulti-
matoly fall to my lot. 1t never crossed my
widest fancy that she would have taken more
than Q friendly interest In me; therefore my
utter establishment Can be imagined when l
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 penned the
letter she had received.
/ returned home humble and grieved-
grieved to have wounded her sensitive feel
ings, grieved that she should have given me
she might forget me. I 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 she
might be, whose wicked Jest had caused all
this. had my suspicious: Caroline Thorn
her forward sly girl, precocious and assum-
ing; and imagined her quite capable of play
ing such q trick.
One day l met Miss Tompson walking in the
village and joined her. Purposely / led the
conversation around to practical jokes.
than to play practical Joke" 1 said. ''on a
person whom circumstances place to certain
extent in ones power. A practical joke of
any magnitude is insulting, cruel, stupid and
disgrace to one person only-the perpetra-
The girls face got very red, and she Uttered
nervously.
"Have you ever played such ioke,"
went on, 81 am pretty sure you have, and on
Miss Morley; have you not" demanded
sternly.
"What do you meant" she stammered.
Thomson" said, ''Or must, as your clergy
man, apply to your mother. You will know
what mean If your conscience accuses you.
Did you not lately play practical joke upon
Miss Morley!"
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 SO very sorry, and so on.
'You have done an unmaidenly cruel &C
ton" said-''an action which, but for Miss
Morley's good sense and ladylike mind, might
have caused great mischief. hope that this
will be a lesson to you, and that in the future
you will be more considerable for others feel
ings."
fnow hoped that al trouble arising from
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 1
was much concerned to hear from Mrs. Thorn
son that she was leaving them.
'Miss Morley leaving!" Exclaimed. "You
surnriSe me- WHY ia she QOin0!n
81 cannot discover" said Mrs. Thomson.
tShe has no complaints to make Ihave always
been kind to her; but she says she mus: go;
and she does seem to be falling into bad health
here. It's great pity; but can't persuade
her to remain"
I could not help feeling that was driving
her away. The thought caused me pain, and
began t., wish that ! had never told her had
not written that letter but had accepted the
love which now began to prize One thing
determned; she must not leave her situation.
could far easier find another curacy than she
doubtless remain; all 1 need do was to speak
to her and tell her, as If casually, that l was
going. watched for an opportunity.
One afternoon met her coming out of the
church; she had been trying the organ. l
hurried to join her at the gate.
allow do you do, Miss Morley?" I said.
You have been Practicing, see."
cit is queer old organ, is it not!" I con-
tinued. II wish the parish could afford new
one"
81 suppose they cannot" she said. "Good-
bye, Mr.. Clitheroe."
:" Are you not going homel" asked.
the village"
$50 must L; and we will go together"
said. :" want to tell you that am going
away"
"Going away" she repeated. "Whya"
"To better myself, as the people say" I
arrangement-in fact, it was only this morn
ing that told Mr.. Ponsonby, and mean to
leave in less than a month"
"You will be missed here, Mr.. Clitheroe, {"
she said.
leaves kindly memory behind. When are
II don't quite know" she replied. Mrs.
Thomson urges me to stay and not go at all. :"
81 know she does" I said; "and hope
you will"
Perhaps may" VI. she replied; "Dut my
saw was right. Poor chilo, she had no
wish to go now Twas leavingl We walked on
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, did not; but since then you have crept
into my Utmost SOUL Have I any chance
left?"
"Mr. Clitheroe, thank you," she answered,
calmly; but must beg you to drop the sub
iect."
"why!" exclaimed.
ssWhy" she repeated. "Because YOU are saw
ing all this from pity. You think have been
unhappy, and won't be pitied!"
"Indeed you wrong me-" pleaded; but she
was obdura te.
l saw her once more before left. was
lunching at Thomson's. had rose bud in my
hand, and presented it to her.
SIS it not lovely bud!" 1 asked.
eyes; it is q beauty" 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
mineE"
She hesitated and turned very pale watched
her closely. She seemed in doubt. Could
have spoken to her again, fancy I could have
won my cause; but others came into the ROOM
She took up the bud and placed it in 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
her in particular, heard nothing of her for
many months
The great event 1 had been hoping for so long
arrived a o,f a ho1 Loft