Wichita eagle., 1888-01-20

81 am, or at least was, Mr.: Maury's
wife. but have heard-no, no, l win not be
ieve it.
"Oh! the scoundrel. the villainr' exclaimed
Mrs. Maury No. /, and then there was scene
such as was never dreamed of in the philoso-
ply of the good people of Independence.
The terrible news spread on the wind, and
before the two women had dried their tears
of anger and shame, the entire population of
the village had gathered at the hotel
'Mr. Maury, the minister, has two wives" .
was the shocking intelligence whispered TO
the curious crowd Msn and women looked
into each others faces in silence. The news
was too terrible for words.
Deacon White took the strange ladies aside,
one at time, heard their stories and care
fully examined each marriage certificate.
This latter documentary evidence caused him
to lose all hope of saving the good name Of
his friend and pastor. When he realized the
horrible truth be told the deserted wives that
Mr.. Maury had left the village two days
before, and no ono knew where he lad gone
or when he would return.
Deserted forever!n was the despairing ex-
clamation from the two weeping women.
For three days business was suspended in
the village, and the people gathered in little
groups on the st-eets 10 discuss the terrible
disclosure. Tho two women who had brought
about the exposure had gone their respective
ways, but they bad given Independence q
genuine 5ensation.
When the first shock Of the discovery Of
the minister's. depravity had worn off, the
people began to wonder how he had SO sue
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 that the
proof left no room for doubt.
MIR. Maury had been gone ten days before
the deacons Of his church held . meeting to
discuss the situation. The church was dis
graced, the community shocked, and the
good deacons were justly indignant. Never
again would young minister be called
"Oh, it is terrible, terrible" said Deacon
Brown. what sinner he must be!'
sit is over now; leave him TO his idols"
said Deacon White.
"His wives you meant said Deacon Jones.
The good deacons were in the 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
Mnury entered, accompanied by a lovely
young Lady.
sob, Lord deliver u.s." groaned Deacon
Jones.
"Allow me to introduce my wife, Brother
White, Brother Jones, Brother Brown" and
Mr. Naury bowed to the pillars OF his church
without appearing to notice the shock his
entrance had caused.
"Another onee' and Deacon Brown rubbed
his eyes i'll the vain hope that it was all q
horrible dream.
Brethren, pardon me for the intrusion.
and we will now leave you FOR tho present"
and Mr. Maury, with wife No. 8, was gone
before tho good deacons could utter word.
There was a hurried consultation and a
committee Of three, headed by Deacon
White, called on the minister and as gently
as possible told him of the terrible exposure.
His surprise at the awful situation was genu-
inc, there could be no doubt about that, and
in five minutes the committee was convinced
that he was innocent and tho whole affair
was some dreadful mystery. His visits,
which had first aroused suspicion, were fully
explained. At little town 100 miles to the
east Of Independence he had visited his be-
tEothed semi-,nonthly, and tho other visits
were to his aged mother and only sister, who
resided in the city some ECO 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. detec-
two reached the village in search Of Arthur
Maury, alias Jules Weston, forger, counter
feiter and bigamist. The second shock came
when the detective announced tina. the man
he was after, under the convenient name Of
John Smith, had spent two weeks at the
hotel, and in tho guise of a book agent had
flooded tho 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.
All this occurred ten years ago. The Rev.
Arthur is still the beloved pastor of tho
church at Independence, but the villagers
never weary telling the story of Parson
Maury's doublc.-Walt L. Hawley.