The Press., 1888-02-23

groups on the streets to discuss the terrible disclosure. The two women who had brought about the exposure had gone their respectlVe ways, but they had given Independence a genuine sensation. s...
 When the first shock of the discovery of the minister's depravity had worn on, the people began to wonder how he had so suc- cessfully imposed on them. One or two of his best friends dared to express the hope that it might all prove terrible mistake, but they were laughed at and told thatt proof eft no room for doubt.
 MT. Maury had been gona ten days before the deacons of his church held a meeting to discuss the situation. The church was dis graced, the community shocked, and the good deacons were justly indignant. Never ngain would a young minister be called
 Oh, it is terrible, terrible" said Deacon Brown. 'What sinner he must be"
 'It is over now; leave him to his idols" said Deacon White.
 His wives you mean!' said Deacon Jones.
 The good deacons were in tue midst of discussion of the merits of several prominent ministers when there came a rap at the door. The door was opened and the Rev. Arthur Maury entered, accompanied by 8 lovely young lady.
 "Oh, Lord deliver usm groaned Deacon Jones.
 "Allow me to introduce my wife, Brother White, Brother Jones, Brother Brown" and Mir Maury bowed to the pillars of his church without appearing to notice the shock his entrance had caused.
 Another one." and Deacon Brown rubbed his eyes in the vain hope that it was all horrible dream.
 "Brethren, pardon me for the intrusion. and we will now leave you for the present" '" MT wit Hx-if before the good deacons could utter word. There was a buried consultation and committee of three, headed by Deacon White, called on the minister and as gently as possible told him of the terrible exposure. 1 issurprise at the awful situation was genu- 1 inc, there could be no doubt about that, and 1 in five minutes the committee was convinced I that he was innocent and the whole affair was some dreadful mystery. His visits, l which had first aroused suspicion, were fully l explained. At little town 100 miles to the east of Independence he had visited his be- 1 trothed semi-monthly, and the other visits were to his aged mother and only sister, who resided in the city some 200 miles west. He had asked the leave of absence to wed his first and only love and intended his charm ing bride as a pleasant surprise for his con- gregation. The committee retired with the hope that the mystery would in some way | be solved.
 Next day the good people of Independence received another stunning shock. A detec- tive reached the village in search of Arthur 1 Maury, alias Jules Weston, forger, counter feiter and bigamist. The second shock came when the detective announced that the man he was after, under the convenient name of John Smith, had spent two weeks at tho 1 hotel, and in the guise of a book agent had I flooded the village with counterfeit money. The smart rascal had left the village the | night before the arrival of his deserted wives.
 The mystery was clear at last, and Deacon Jones declared he had never lost faith in his beloved pastor.
 1 All this occurred ten years ago. The Rev. 1 Arthur is still the beloved pastor of the church at Independence, but the villagers never weary telling the story of Parson ! Maury's double.-Walter L. Hawley.