The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-23

that this mystery Is ever. cleared up. and
Miss Earle Is still willing 30 b my wife.
viii YOU give yonr consent them.
Certainly viii. " the old man replied
And you will not forbid mo to see
ta@- liz pleaded.
Il will not forbid you, Mr. Bcresto,d.
No. on the contrary, | will show yod
willingly that trust you as an honorable
gentlensn, by simply asking you not 10
attempt 70 marty her without my pernis
siou. and not TO compromise her by being
seen about with her. II sho likes 10 cor
respond with yen, well aud good. II you
care 10 come here now and agsin, when
YOU are In town. w.1 not prevent il or
forbid Sc dare sag. under the circum
STANCES. this Is q somewhat onnsual way
Of proceeding: bnt have always given
nv daughter the most absolute trust and
she Is worthy Of il in every way. he
deye sou 10 DO innocent and believe you
% Be honorable. fer I 500 you had nci
.lcught OF the danger 10 which such q
marriage would expose her-so viii
trust sou also
'Mr Earle" said Jim. holding out his
hand, this has been an awful blow 10
income ! never expected, But YOU have
spoken 20 me fairly and well and l thank
YOU. You may depend that I will never
be.ray your trust. Mss Earle shall he as
safe from any persuasions Of mine as if
were Malay Indian and could not speak
word of English"
1T may oil work out smooth enough,
the old man said. kindly.
But jim shook his head. Il have very
little hope Of II. sir, he answered, sadly
Il have very little hope Of it; but ! thanb
you all the same for the consolation"
After q moment Of silence Mr.. Earle
spoke again.
''My daughter must be told" he said
nneasily. "5he is so sensible. 50 clear
headed, that | feel sure she viii see per
fectly tho adyisability Of the objection, o.
rather stumbling block, @hich have been
compelled 10 raise. But II viii be o sad
blow to her. I fear poor child. and-wcll.
really, Beresford. on the whole think the
nows had better como from you.
1T viii DO hard task for me-" said
Jim.
Il don't doubt It," returned the oil
man; but the question is--from which
Of us viii she take II the bestY She
viii SEQ then. even If she does not see 1t
already. that you are convinced Of tho
truth Of what urge; and-yes. think 1t
had better como from you. Beresford, !
do. indeed. viii 20 out and lunch at
NY club and leave you clear field, so that
you may tell her and get it over. Yes,
that win be the best, am sure. You see
my dear fellow, trust TO your honor alb
solutcly."
Before Jim could say 8 word AGAINST this
plan the old gentleman had shaken his
hand again, and had slipped out Of the
room So he had 10 choice but 10 await
tho meeting with Nancy and the neces-
oary disclosures which II would entail
with the best grace that he could.
Not that he visited very LONG: he heard
TIE hat door close behind the master VI
the house, and then. as Nancy die not
come, he rang the bell and asked tho
servant who came In answer to his sum
mans II be would ask Miss Earle 70 b.
COED enough to sec him. And IN less than
TWO minutes she came--with her doves
eyes all alight With love and the sweetest
and brightest smiIo upon her lips-the
lips that were Ids and yet not his.
"Wslls' she said, gayiy, as she crossed
che room to his side.
Beautiful jim took her outstretched
hand In his.
MY dearest. am afraid have the
most sorry news for you" no said,
hnmbly.
Sorry ns,vss' sharply. "Then. where
He has lift me to tel yon--gons 10
his club"
10 tell me--whats"
FOR moment Jim could hardly speak
''Te tel You that our engagement s
impossible: for the present. at least be.
answered. with an effort
Father said that7 But whyg What
DO yon mean, J.m--that he refnses,"
AT present.
"At present-ohl do tell me the worst
1t once. What do you mean By at pres
sntf'
Ny dearest, your father is quite right.
though II Is hard upon as. " said jim.
gently. HE dfes not forget that have
been arrested on suspicion cf murder
and that while the affair remains mys-
teyy, ] Am not free from further suspi
elon."
But he does not believe It, surely.
she cried, with blazing eyes ard lips
tightly compressed.
mo, he does not believe 1t. thank God.
Jim replied quiolly.
bot II he does not believe It, why lei
It a6sct usy' she exclaimed. Il lave
never known my father influenced by the
opinion Of others In oil my life never
And 70 think that DO should begin TO be
- when tho consequences arc 50 serious
for ne. Is TOO hard-it's too hardl"
But You don't understand said jim.
gently. 1T Is not the opinion Of Others
be II thinking Of at -sll-ouly, that as
am not cleared yet, the suspicion might
at any time rise up against me and over
vhsln both Of u.s.
Bot you are innocent"
'Innocent men have been hanged DO /
fore today. my darling. and your father I
feels T." ssid lie, moro fnll OF pity for I
1G than OF sorrow for his own broken /
"Bot. JIM" she cried. eagerly, did YOU
10 tel father that you could prove your. 1
al Innocent at any tiref"
Beautiful jim shook his head. "No. I
I'D not tell him that"
But whyy"
Because he would insist that should
speak"
"ohl no. shall tell him. Yes. It is
~ uee tryjng 10 persuade Inc against It.
have made up my mind to do 1t. It is
~ very well 70 be generous ard merciflll
+ = cfbers; but ought to be your frst
thcn8at. and 1t viii DO bat a poor sort OF
G(1eyosjty 70 secure some one their peace
- mlnd 81 the cost OF breaking ny heart"
s<Eut ho will certainly deliver that per.
- Up 70 justice. jim persisted.
"khd Il he does. does MOI that person
, 4oooyvo ltf' she said. passionately 'Wny 4
1noujd the iuuocsnt have 70 tufer for the
nofltys Or Il some such mus. so suffer,
Vhy obou]d Il b you and II Why not the
- IA. jim, ! have made up 10y mind.
I Nil1 rot le3 JOG iis Under this suspicion
= AZ loneo9 IN fact. tell you frankly
konsstI6. that cannbt understand /
cr King - weak about the whole
: monsnt beautiful jim did not
n ~ word The little clock or the
no9 oholf besido them licked loudly
Qk1orlIy a.. and Nancy was resting,
rlll1 ~ foot upon the fender. Jim
a - ---.~--& = - I..r.4 ia