Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-11

Tho truth vas tha ruiuur had boon an un-
hallowed inspiration of his own mind over
which he chucklel with delight as he
walked Oft Ten to one it'll come to some.
thing mused the brilliant Bolton, mentally
patting himself on the head approvingly for
having sprung it on the old man with such
skill
All. Mr.. Bclton other fools besides your
self have felictated themselves on per
furmances praiSeworthy III their own eyes,
but which contained the seeds of endless
misery.
Mr. Rockaby was dazed Through long
life he had kept his faith in poor human
natures truthlulness and good intentions.
He loved his townspeople and was cut To
the heart To know that any of them could
So far depart from the truth as to give cir
culation to such weighty and ex,raordi-
nary falschopl. What would MR. Carter
think If it, She would certainly be dis
trcssed IL she heard it. And wouldn't she
hold him responsible for not putting a stop
10 ii at once.
In the innocence of his soul he decided to
go at once and assure her that so far from
having encouraged the report he hal only
that day heard IL and had promptly repudi-
ated it. H fetched up at the door OF the GRAY
mansion, and in great emharrass lent asked
permission to say few words to the widow
in private Mrs. Carter bustled ah ,ad to
the big dim cold, unused parlor. carrying
Il lamp, and the door CLOSED upon them at
precisely : O'Clock
IL was 10, sharp, when they emerged. At
first glance 1t was noticeable that Mr.
Rockaby had a vanquished, broken look.
while Mrs. Carter wore the smile which be-
longs only to victory. Somehow between
them they managed to announce to the
waiting family that their conference had
resulted in an engagement of marriage.
The Gray family were unprepared for such
apiece Of news, and expressed their aston
ishmeut by bulging eyes, strained ears,
open mouths and utter silence.
YES said Mrs. Carter, by way Of relief,
al have at last decided to accept Mr. Rock
aby You know how much | have always
admired and respected him
This was received with some pol tie mur-
murs from her friends, AM Mr. Rock aby
made a sound intended to he apprcciative,
but which might we'll have been mistaken
for a grnan. Thrn he gravely babe them
good night and departed.
As he walked home, more miserable than
ne had ever been in his life, he tried TO got
it clear in his mind how he had brought
such an avalanche of i'll fortune upon hlm-
self. He remembered that when he told
Mrs Carter how distressed he WAS at the
rumor of their engage ment and that he
had immediately denied it, she began to
weep aud supblnglv told him that his visits
there while Mr. Gray was alive had com
promised her; and that unless she married
him she should never be able to hold up her
head again
The poor old man tottered in the moon
light. under the horror of that recollection,
and put his hands TO bis head again and
again T. assure hiu.st that he was not
dreaming. He recalled the three hours
conversation with Mrs. Carter, which had
resulted so disastrously TO himself. She had
overpowerei his judgment. played upon his
extreme conscientiousneSs, literally forced
him TO agree to marry her. Until that
evening he had never addressed twenty
words to her in his life.
Crushed and Inundated be crept into the
gravey ard, and fiinging himself on the
earth which covered his lifelong love he
sobbed out his agony like an injured child
for indeed that was what he was despite
his 50 years-pttied only by the stars and
cUmiortei by the sweet silence.