The Penn's Grove record., 1885-10-03
HIS HEARTS DESIRE.

On Il SulLIy evening IN oPiis Sohho
six or eight men were grouped round
the doorway of the Lynnford Arms.
They had stopped to chat with the
landlord, who was seated beneath the
porfico, with a tankard of good home
brewed ale on a little table by his side.
The men were talking in excited
tones, and conflicting opinions were ex-
pressed upon a subject which seemed to
be of al~l-absorbing interest.
ssFar be it from me to suspect OF &C
a fellow creature of crime" said
Bassett, ''but if it was not MI.
Parkhurst that murdered Mr.. Greene,
all l can say is. "Who was itp"'
The speaker, having thus delivered
himself, surveyed the group with an air
of complacent satisfaction, as who
say, "Gainsay that logic, my
friends, if you CAMP
His observation met with respectful
silence. Mr.. Bassett was a farmer n
landed proprietor of good repute and
substantial fortune, and had been for
many years exceedingly popular IN the
little town of Lynnford, whittier he had
came nearly every week to sell or pur-
chase cattle. By the simple townslolk
he was regarded almost as an oracle,
such an air did he possess of prophecy
and wisdom-so entirely did the views
he expressed on any and all subjects ap-
pear to be based on the strictest Impair
TALLY and justice.
Other theories we're advanced, and
the conversation went on iu animated
accents until at length the host of the
Lynnford Arms, who had hitherto been
O silent listener, slowly took his pipe
from his mouth, and, laying it down on
the table, brought his fist down beside
it.
"No," said he firmly; ''my friends,
Mr.. Parkhurst murdered that
man. He is locked up for a crime that
he never committed. | don't believe
any jury would entertain the idea of his
guilt"
The speech of the worthy host was
likewise aeceived with Difference. Be-
ing a man of few words, anything that
he said was naturally invested with con-
siderable Importance, and the above re-
mark was uttered with an air of con-
viction which could not fail to impress
those who heard 1t.
Soon the argument rested between
the host and Mr.. Bassett, the other
men being well content to hear Them
discuss every incident which could pos
sibly have any bearing upon the sub
jeet.
appearances are against him, friend
Harding" rejoined Mr.. Bassett, ad-
dressing himself to the landlord. This
Mr.. Greene came down here to see Mr..
Parkhnrst on business. When 1T was
completed he started to take the night
express to return to London, and MI.
Parkhurst offered to walk with him to
the station. They left the 'Beeches' to-
gether, while Miss Mildred stood OF the
piazza and watched them until the
trees of ~theavenue hid them from sight.
She was surprised to see her father re-
6nter the drawing room after an alb
sence of thirty minutes, as every one
knows 1t takes a full hour to walk from
the 'Beecbes' to the railway station and
back again. The next day, before sun
rise, the old gentleman is found mur-
dered in the very lane where Mr.. Park
hurst says he parted from hlm, MI.
Freene having insisted upon his return
ing to his daughter when he had seen
him thus far on his way. Now, l ask
you, how can Mr.. Parkhurst expect to
be pronounced mot guilty with such
facts as these staring him in the facep"
swell, well, replied Mr. Harding,
Tomorrow will show whether he is
guilty or not. 1t has been a terrible
blow to the poor young lady, bless her
innocent hearth"
eyes, " i~pterposed another. "My wife
up went to the Beeches' yesterday morn
ing to fetch the things for the Dorcas
Society, and there was Miss Mildred
walking up and down the hall, and
stopping every now and then with
clasped hands and a white, scared face
% look at the great front doors, as
.hough she was praying for them TO
open and let in some reassuring mes
sage or word.h
"poOr, wlnsoms lasslh assented the
kindly host, ''it is nearly five weeks
since her father was arrested and looked
up, and they say she has scarcely closed
her eyes or tasted a mouthful Of food
from that day to this"
The speaker gave a sigh, in sympathy
with the picture OF human sorrow that
he had Just been contemplating, and
was about to raise his tankard to his
lips, when, happening to look up, he
hastily replaced it on the table, and ris-
ing, pushed back his chair to make way
for a gentleman who had been standing
for a moment unperceiyed. leaning
against one of the columns of the portl-
CO. who now advanced to enter the
house.
The other men, glancing up, raised
their hats and stepped respectfully
aside.
"Pray don't disturb yourselves, my
good friends said the newcomer, 70
turning their s~alutation with a stately
and courteous gesture as he passed by
them.
He paused, however, on the threshold
of the little hostelry, and turned to tlt
landlord, who had followed him.
Pardon me, my dear sir. but have a