The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-17
A GREAT TEMPTATION.

Alice Arnden was not a woman one would
select for a heroine because of her personal
ity. She was neither large nor small; she
was beautiful, think beauty is a hard thing
to define and limit but it was beauty OF
no wonderful or unusual type, and was OF
that kind which grows on one gradually, as
his knowledge of the pOssessor of it grows.
There was a wealth OF sweetness and purity
shining up in her eyes which tears could
never wash out; and the mouth indicated
firmness and resolution, which had its be-
ginning long before the nights vigil which
had left il so sterEly agonized.
The trouble which has come to Alice Arm
den is OF no unusual kind One may say,
"only a lovers quarrel" but one should re-
member that there are heart tragedies in this
world, under the torture Of which men and
women drag out long lives without finding
peace To Alice Arnden il seemed as
though everything worth having in life
was now forever utterly beyond her hope
She arose from the seat she had occupied
for so long and moved slowly around her
humble room. She had not known until
she moved how much she was suffering
physically; how cold il was; how cramped
and weary she was.
She made fire, and into the fire she re-
morselessly put all the fragments of the pa
per which she had spoiled in her efforts TO
write a simple letter, long ago when her sOr-
sow was new Long ago? Last night
Happiness gives wings Of lightness TO eter-
nifty dying about her being and so called
times rather than eternity, which we rough
ly measure, and call minutes and secOn /;
but sorrow weights their noiseless feet with
lead.
Mr.. George Fenby was next among the
actors in this little fragment OF human life.
He had sat at his window that morning as
Alice Arden had sat at hers. His window
looked in the same direction. From 1t he
saw much the same scene she saw. The stars
faded out for him as for her; day frightened;
the sunlight fell across his face.
George Fenby thought of what he had to
be thankful for this lovely morning. y
small fortune, enough for himself-and one
other, fair womap-and good as fair-for
his promised wife; health, education.
friends, influence, position it was, indeed, a
gOOdly prospect.
There was happy smile on his face as he
heard his little brother knock at the door,
and he answered, Come in" in cherry
voice.
Here's letter for you, George"
Thank you,'' said George, as he took it.
"You are welcome. By the handwriting
on the envelope judge the message will be
q pleasant one"
And the boy left the room.
A pleasant messagel The smile deepened
on the mans face as he lovingly handled the
letter a little tinre before he broke the seal.
pleasant messagei
These were the words he read:
Mr.. GEORGE FENBY-I will not consent tC
De any longer a hinderer regarding your
higher ambition. l never wish to speak with
you again in all my life. / give you back
your freedom. ALICE ARNDEN.
SO Mr.. Fenby's morning gift was the gift O.
his freedom. What should he do with IL
His cheeks and lips grew cold and white a
the thought. Merciful heavenl What coulC
he 90 with il?
TIE SKY seemed darkening; the earti
seemed dreary and desola.e. George FenbN
and Alice Arnden, a bare quarter of a mil,
apart, could not have been more widely sep
arated had an ocean rolled between them
And each looked on the same landscape an(
saw il alike at last
Ii was a relief TO both George and Alic,
that there was service in the little LChurcl
that morning, and everybody would b
looked for there. Secret sorrow finds Ger
tain abatement OF its intensity in the effor
of appearing unconcerned. Then there is
mOuTnful pleasure in seeing what one ha
lost.
in a place no larger than Marsham ever
one knows every BODY else. Every one know
the business of everybody in some degree, o.
thinks so, or says so. So our two friend
were known, and their relations 10 eacl
other were also known. AndNso poorly has
they played their parts that when service wa
finished nearly all their friends had con
cluded that their engagement was over, ant
many we're specializing as to the reason TO
il
Ralph Worden was too shrewd man no
70 see what every one else saw. He said bu
little about it, as be spoke to one and anoth
eT, after Church, but he was deeply interested
and very mnch puzzled. The time had beef
wBen the gossips had connected his nam
with that OF Alice Arnden, and there wer
those who had shaken their heads when j
became evident that she had been won b.
George Fenby, instead OF Ralph.
Ralph had never spoken to Alice of love
and we will respect his reserve. What h
cared for her may remain sealed book.
George FeDby walked home alone. RALPH
Warden came the same road, but a quarter o
mile behind. Some distance out of the vii
lage Ralph suddenly came upon two papers
by tie side OF the road. They had most like
~ been pulled from the pocket Of the owne
in removing his pocket handkerchief. Thu