The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-27

ruDDaRe tnlS tune past aS haS Scnt mOst of the people into the realms of darkness. It's time such doings came to an end, brothers" he added, turning to the other men, "we must have a meeting on Wednesday evening to consider what we are to do, and till we've decided we won't trouble MT. Conway to preach here again"
 Without even a glance at Paul he left the room, and the others followed him as flock of sheep follow an old bell wether.
 Paul well knew what the ominous words meant, and resolved to forestall the dismissal which he saw was impend- ing by resignation. But before he did SO he must consult Ethel. Accordingly be swallowed hasty meal and set of for Myrtle Grange.
 He was exceedingly relieved to hear that Ethel had not gone to the Sunday school, and was sitting in the garden Thompkins, who was CT toying his after. noon nap, Paul hurried round the garden till he found the girl sitting under the shade of some trees in retired corner She welcomed him with a rather forced smile, and had he not been so immersed in his own troubles, he would have seen that her face was wet with tears.
 Sbe looked very grave as he told her his miserable story. When he had fin ished she looked up and said sadly, You must resign, there is no help for it. Bad as 1t is, it is better than being dis missed, and they would be sure to dis miss you. We shall be sorry to lose you."
 Infinitely comforted by her sorrowful tone, Paul seized her reluctan. hand in his.
 "Ethel," he said, T have been wicked and foolish, but have erred through my love of you. Will you be my wife ?"
 "Are you in earnestp she asked, starting up and hurriedly withdrawing her hand from his grasp. "Oh, am more sorry than can tell. l never thought you were really fond of me"
 "Why sorry?" demanded Paul eager ly.
 always thought you were almost en- gagged to Miss Bocock," said the girl evasely.
 "I think you must have seen that loved you, Ethel," Paul replied. "Tell me why you should be sorry"
 "l really never thought you loved me" she protested earnestly. "I knew you liked to be with me, and was always glad of your company. know l did what people call encourage you, and will tell you why, shameful as itis. am engaged to my cousin Jack Ferrers, and he has quarreled with Uncle Thompkins, who swears he will never leave either of us penny if we speak to each other, and what he would say if he knew had promised to be Jacks wife, l dare not think. At the time l first knew you l fancied uncle suspected me, and tried to blind him by seeming to be fond of you. If had really thought you cared for me, would sooner have died than acted as did; but every one said you were fond of Lizzie Rocock. l am so sorry, so wretched. would do any thing to undo the mischief have done |; but can't give up Jack," and the girl hid her face in her hands, and cried as if her heart would break.
 Poor Paul turned as white as sheet.
 "ls this all true, EthelT' he gasped. :. "QAite," she cried: Say you forgive me. Paul l; you have been such comfort to me, and my life was so desolate."
 "I forgive you" he said; II love you too much to be angry with you, Ethel, but you have spoilt my life"
 "Don't say that" she moaned
 Paul turned away; the sunlight was gone out of his life. All he cared for now was to get away from Klngswin. As soon as he got to his lodgings, he sat down and wrote note to Deacon Bo- cock resigning his charge; and then packing up his few belongings, took the first train that left for the north. His disappearance caused a great amount of scandal, and for few weeks MT. Bocock's bed was not one of roses. At the end of this time, however, a great event happened. Miss Ethel, grieved at her own misconduct, summoned up her courage and made clean breast of it to her uncle. Alter a furious burst of anger the old man forgave her, and to keep her out of harms way for the future, offered to provide handsomely for her and Jack, provided they married at once. MT. Bo- cock made the young couple splendid present, which so grati6ed his old enemy that MT. Thompkins actually made over lures to him to rejoin the Particular Bap- tists, even offering him his old status as deacon, situation he still fulfills with great dignity and credit. Two or three years later the Rev. Arthur Daborn dis. covered that Miss Lizzie had long held his heart, and so offered her his hand ard wheu last heard of the Kingswin baptists were such a remarkably united and friendly body that they are held up as pattern to all the other congrega- 1 tions for ten miles round
 We should incur everlasting odium. if we neglected to say something about the 1 history of Paul. Shortly after he left | Kngswin, he came in for small legacy, and by its aid he returned to Oxford and | took his degree. Then he obtained the post of assistant master at private school, and at length consoled himself for the cruelty of Ethel Thompkins by marrying the masters daughter. Report l says that the principal contemplates re- tiring in Pauls favor before long.