Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-10


members, nor did any seem to find
words when Henrietta Castle had
ceased, and she had taken chair in
their midst. Probably seven girls
never looked more blaGkly into one
another's faces.
81 cannot believe it," half gasped
Janet Thorpe.
believe your eyes, then" returned
Henrietta, passing her slip of paper
on which were some closely written
sentences. "Why don't you look at
it 2"
"Why, cannot, Etta-I mean Mr..
President" stammered the bewildered
girl.
1--WE viii waive formalities, decreed
Henrietta, during the discussion of
what / have read. What do you think
of it, girls 2"
No one answered.
Edith Hammond caught the paper
that slipped off Janet's dress, where
Henrietta had tossed it, and went half
mechanically over the words that had
just been read aloud, before she passed
it on to the Dana girls.
Well?" demanded the president.
Then, as this drew no response, she
added, trifle impatiently: "Why do
you all read it again? You recognize
the writing, of course2" turning to
Fay Strong, who that moment held the
note in her hand.
Yes" faltered She" Mr.. Thur
lows"
land the rest of you?"
Mr.. Thurlow's."
even if it had not been found in
his pocket" went on Henrietta, quick
ly. 1--WE could any of us have recog-
nized it,
Ellis pocket p an exclamation from
Isabel Prime, who had entered but a
moment before to find the societyin a
chorus of &C ontemptible y "Hypo-
critev" with occasional repetitions of,
lit cannot be true y from Janet
Thorpe.
"Mr. Thurlow's overcoat pocket"
declared Henrietta, appearing to hear
only Isabel 81 found it myself at the
parsonage, not an hour ago"
"You had no right to read it, said
Janet.
Ct Think had" returned Henrietta.
firmly. Mrs. Thurlow herself asked
me to superintend Mrs. Morris clean
ing. and to see that nothing was left
in the pockets of the things that were
to be brushed and put away"
but not to read private notes"
Janet spoke again.
1T is a question" resumed Henri
eta, calmly, whether am to be con-
demned for that. There was no en-
velope; the note was torn and crumpled.
/ was about to throw it away, when
thought it might be of importance.
glanced at the first words, then read
what followed. Having read it, what
was to do :? What would you have
done in my place?" She spoke quickly,
as she looked from one face to another.
"You should have put it back, be-
gan Janet.
Never /! cried Henrietta. "Put
it back, to be found, perhaps. by the
very one of all others who should not
see it Mrs. Thurlow may have no
suspicion that the affair has been men
toned to any one. Oh, girls. cannot
you put yourselves in my placer she
asked, half imploringly. & could not
make Mrs. Thurlow more unhappy
than she is.
The appeal had its effect. The girls
looked sympathetic.
L beg pardon. Henrietta" said
Janet. Il acknowledge you did right
in not replacing it, but would it not
have been still better to have DESTROYED
it? Is it right for you to undermine
our faith in the man we have all be
lieved to be leading one of the truest
lives we have ever known?"
Z think it IS, returned Henrietta,
unfinchingly. do we want to put
faith in anything false?"
But" argued Janet, IF that be-
lief has an influence on our lives for
good Now l for one must relieve
in Mr.. Thurlow. or cannot listen to
his preaching another week. Why,
girls. he cannot have written this. !"
changing her anxious tone to one of
confidence. There is some mistake
You do not know the man."
perhaps not, returned Henrietta.
cynioally .'but we all seem to know
his writing"
but it might be an imitation, =
urged Janet, eagerly. LET me see it
again 1t might, you know. have been
put there TO make trouble"
She bent her eyes upon the paper
handed her. on which were the
words