The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-06-19

| tniuR W UcT COuSlu. DuJ bne nutullla-
ton of such confession she feels to
be more than she can bear whom she
comes TO attempt it.
She is alone in the world now. Her
mother is dead. Henceforth there is
none to toll for but herself. She misses
the incentive that urged her on to
steady, hard work. The outlook is
not bright one for woman who feels
the need of something TO live and work
for.
"You cannot guess what heard TO-
day. Mary says one evening as she
and Alice sit in the nursery together,
where the pride of the family is hav-
ing hard time of i, trying not to 60
to sleep. "Kingsley Durham is com.
ing here to fill DIR. Can6eld's place
through the latter's vacation, they
say
A sudden light comes into Alice
Crawford's eyes. But it dies out as
suddenly as it came. And with it a
warmth kindles for a moment in her
heart, then leaves it colder than be-
fore. But it is enough to tell her that
she has not conquered her heart, and
that she never will.
81 shall be so glad to see him. Mary
goes on. ale was always like broth.
er to me-"
They are sitting together in the
pew at church the next Sabbath even
ing, when they become aware of the
fact that Kingsley Durham has
come.
80, Alice" whispers Mary, "lhere he
is coming in with DR.. Garfield. How
he has changed! What a splendid
looking man he is knew he would
be. l wish could 60 right up to the
ministers desk and speak to him and
shake hands with him. / don't know
| can wait until the sermon is over
Alice Crawford hears her cousin s
voice, but she does not know one word
of what she is saying. She only knows
one thing, that she sees the face Of tho
man she loves best of any ir the world
--thc man she has tried in vain to for
get. 1t is like looking into heaven
over wall she cannot pass.
Kingsley Dunham sees them, and
his face brightens. He sends them a
greeting in a glance. Mary is all a
flutter with excitement, but Alice is
calm, at least outwardly. If he could
only see into her heart!
Kingsley Dunham's voice as he reads
from the sacred volume fills her soul
with music. When he begins to preach
it seems as if he must be preaching for
her alone. He tells them that the
heat that has sinned must make atone.
ment by confession of its sins and by
turning away from the past. Has she
not sinned ? she asks herself. The old
clock knows and she knows, and-God
knows 1t seems as if that letter lay
upon her soul, and the weight of it
will hold her soul down forever. With
that guilty act unconfessed and
unforgiven how can she ever be at
peace
| She has made up her mind long be-
fore the sermon is over as to what
course she will take. She will confess
what she has done. She feels as if the
shame of confession will kill her, but
she will get rid of her secret.
The services are through at last. She
sees Kingsley Dunham coming towards
them. Her face is as pale as it will be
when she is dead. Her heart almost
stands still for moment, then beats
faster than ever before.
| She meets him before he reaches
their pew. She is aware that his hand
is reached out to her, and that his face
is radiant with pleasure. But she does
not touch the hand he offers.
81 want to tell you that never gave
Mary that letter. she says, in a low,
swift voice 81 hid it in the old clock.
It's there now. Forgive me if you
can" Then before he can speak or
stop her she turns and goes hurriedly
down the aisle past the wondering
Mary, who had seen all that had taken
place, but comprehends nothing of
what it means.
| When Mary reaches home she goes
directly to Alice's room.
"What was the matter tonight p
she begins, but Alice stops her.
Il am glad you came here, she says.
81 should have come to you, If you had
not, to make confession of wrong l
did you three years ago, You will
hate me, | suppose, when you hear it.
l kept back letter Kingsley Dunham
left for you. l felt sure that he asked
you in it to be his wife, and-and-l
could not give it to you as / had prom
ised to. hid it in the old clock Oh,
| cannot look at you! want you to
go away and leave me to my shame
and disgrace. Tomorrow l will &c
home. l can never look in your face
or his again" And Alice Crawford
drops her face in her hands and sobs
over the humiliation she has brought
upon herself.
"You must have been mistaken in
thinking he asked me to be his wife,
Mary says, 81 was engaged to George
at that time, and Kingsley Dunnam
knew it. Let me 60 and find the letter.
That will explain it all"
She comes back presently with an
excited face.
"Oh, Alice, read that !" she cries
and puts the letter in her cousin $
hands.
And Alice reads
"MY DEAR FRIEND MARY.-I am 8
foolish, cowardly man. know it,
But braver men have been towards be
fore womans eyes, l love your cousin
Alice, but | fear to tell her so. Sh,
puzzles Inc. / sometimes think she
cares for me. Then her mood changes
and | seem To be held great distance
away from her. You must know how
to read womans heart a great dea
better than do: Is there a chance .
winning her I | shall be gone befor,
you come back, and shall not be herr
to see you before you leave for Europe
but you can write to me and tell me /
there is anything to hope.
'KINGsLEY DUSIIAM."
Alice Crawford reads the lette
through with dry eyes. She has beel
so near to heaven So near Blu