The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-26
now JACK LANGDON CAmFuouv

Jackl always Jack! said Leighton i'm.
atiently. | wonder. dear, YOU can
INK so much Of your cousin when he
q not take the trouble to write to
you.
AZ is a year ago since l heard from
'im, and in a year from the date Of that
Letter he said he would be home, said
Marian, and something tells me he will
( Rp his word.
Leighton bit his lip, hut said no more.
1e was very much in love with Marion
nd had msde up his mind she must be
'is at any cost He knew that she still
cherished love for her old playmate
Who had gone to sea, and would love
I'M as long as there was hope Of his
return.
One day the following paragraph ap-
Ieared in London paper.
| Word was received at the Admiralty
esterday of the suicide of Second Lien
enant John H. Langdon of the ship
low on the China station. Particulars
we're refused, hut the reporter saw
| opy of the letter from the captain of
| he ship in which he says that Langdon
vas discovered in the act of stealing
money from fellow officer. and The
lisgrace drove him to take his life. He
had been play ing hard and leading
lissoute life Of late.
With all my heart deeply regret bs-
ng the bearer Of such sad and painful
rews, SAID Leighton, two days later. as
'e land copy OF the paper before Mar.
hn's father. | had learned from your
laughter the high esteem in which you
neld this unfortunate young man, and
hough thought it to be my duty to in
form you Of his lamentable death, |
would have given anything if | could
ave spared you this pain. | deemed it
'est to break the news to you rather
han to Miss MARYLAND. for did not
know what effect the shock might have
IN her, and it seemed well that such
,ews should come from fathers lips.
| thank you for your kindness and
lelicacy, said the old man with tremb-
ing lips. Jack was at one time very
lear to us, but he must have changed
when he got on to the sea, and grown
very far away from what l used to
each him-so fer away, so far away. he
went on with dreamy eyes. But nv
laughter shall know Of your kindness
Poor Jack. poor Jack; I'm glad now
nat your mother is dead. What would
he say if she knew her bnv-poor
Jack-excuse me moment Mr.. Leigh
on. But Leighton. with ostentatious
ieicacy had Withdrawn.
He called the next day and found that
Miss MARYLAND could not be seen. The
anne answer was given him the next
lay, but on the thIrd he found her sit
ing IN the parl0r. calm and self pos
'essed and he thought he saw that she
nad had great struggle and that he
nad won something by her victory.
After that it was palmer sailing. He
came oftenPr and played and sang for
ler assiduOusly. He found time, too to
weave into his song A sentiment that he
gave larger snd larger meaning as
time went on. and as he found she did
not receive his meaning unkindly.
One evening. when they were floating
Town the river with the tide. and he
had finished such a song he dropped
he oars; ami leaning forward and tax.
ng her hands in his, ne said in his low
earnest tones: Marian-Marian-wh
should we hide our hearts from each
,rher an longer! love you-I think
YOU love me! WORT you accept the de-
votion of a life time-lhe love an honest
heart?
Marian did not answer for some mo.
mPnts.
She trailed water lily in the water
with one hand, and rested her head
upon the other.
At last she said: feel that you do
love me. Robert, Tut ] do not feel that
love you as woman should love the
man she is TO marry, though l esteem
you highly. Yet | do not think | could
he happier with snv other man; and if
what love and happiness can give you
III 1nt Il 10 Il
anything to you, or would repay you
for your devotion and kindness, take
them.
And SO they were engaged
And now. intoxicated with his sue
cess. Leighton began to relax something
of his guard upon himself. 1t was hint
ed that his nights were not always
spent in pious contemplation by any
means, and strange stories of d career
not above reproaCh were covertly whisp.
5red about. But the news never reached
Marian or her father
At length the joyous day came when
Robert Leighton was to marry Marian
MARYLAND and the church was crowded
with people, The words were about to
be spoken that would make them man
and wife. when two strange men enter.
ed the church and strode up the aisle,
This marriage cannot 90 on. said one,
in clear, firm tones, as he reached the
front of the altar. There has been gross
deception here. This man Is not Robert
Leighton. He is Dick Bennet, forger
and swInder. Mr.. Mangin this is your
man; arrest him.
The thickest man pulled pair of
handouts from his pocket and snapped
them suddenly upon Leighton's wrists.
This man caused my discharge from
the newspaper on which | was employ.
ed as reporter by forging paragraph in
my note book. by which a young naval
lieutenant was reported dead and dis
graced. have followed him ever since
and now am going to see him punish.
ed for all HI crimes l thank God
that | came in .i-ue to save this lady,
But the bride rad fallen in faint.
Then. while her father wrung his
hands in helpless dismay. and women
from the congregation chafed Marian's
cold hands and bathed her forehead.
sturdy. sunburned young man in a nav
al costume ran rapidly up the aisle,
Marian in his arms and taking
the frightened clergyman by the hand
made straight for the carriage.
Jack Langdon had returned home
New Yoik Morning Journal,