The morning news., 1889-03-24


look amiable. but self-shame has very
biting sting.
But the words were spoken which the cold
shadow of death, or the stain of shame,
alone can efface. Richard promised - take
Ruth, to love and to cherish, and Ruth
promised to take Richard, and so there was
an end of it; and after the ceremony the
officiating clergyman made haste to get of
his Surplice so as to be ready to go with his
wife-who was waiting for him in new
bonnet-to join the wedding feast.
For small party had been asked to
breakfast, aud amongst them was the Rev.
John Appleby, who was a "little round
fa1, o ly man." who was married to a tall,
gaunt, somewhat grim-faced lady, whose at
fractions, however, were of more solid and
lasting description than mere looks The
easiest way Tor man to WIN fortune is nc
doubt to marry one, and the Rev John
Appleby had wisely considered this, and
when he undertook a cure of souls, vas
most Interested in the souls that we are told
have the least chance OF enteri the King
dom Of Heaven. And the result of this was
that he married the richest d ugliest
young, or rather mlddle-aged, woman who
welt to his chu ch. But the good man
knew that in this world we cannot expect
everything, and thou ID he liked to look at
pretty face as well as his neighbors, he
was dlSO oWdto uudb a plcbty idCe Wou I
pay rent, taxes, ETC., and provide good din
ners; and no face to his mind co lid be put
in comparison with all these things.
He made his choice and he was satisfied
on the whole with his lot. A rich wo nan,
however, is somewhat apt to remind poor
man of what he owes her, and Mrs. Apple
by was not above this weakness, and peo-
pie said the parson did not always reposs
OIL a bed of roses. AT all events he had
faN a l. 4
when his wife was not near to hear him,
had his laugh aud his joke with every good,
looking girl that came in his way. He ad-
mired both Frances and Ruth Forth, and
had many q time sung their praises afte
they came to Headfort. So they as Ted him
to the wedding breakfast, and Miss Hilllard
and one or two others were also invited.
And these invitations had been eagerly
accepted, and eagerly sought for. The star
of the Forths was considered to be in the
ascendant, AID as in the great city 50 in the
village. The was nothing said now ab Jut
Frances Forth, except that no doubt she
was very handso ne. The women who had
sueered at her sneered at her no more, for
they wishe to 60 to The dinners and garden
parties at Sudley Park, and so took very
COOL care not to iuspeil taeir chances of
doing this.
And Frances Forth saw the change and
smiled in her mocking way, and tried not
to look weary of the noble gentle nan whose
heart she had wol. 1t was very sadl Here
was man young in heart sJill, Though
gray do so newhat miugle with our younger
brown" a man who at least had retained
his early chivalrous feeling for womea,
gently fostered by his own love for his dead
mother. and for the fair girl who slept in
her maiden grave-now kneelilg at the
feet of the false idol, and wors iiping a
woman whose heart was stone to him.
He in fact wearied her mex pressibiy. His
schemes for their future life, th3 good
deeds they were to do together tine tears
they were to dry, bored Frances to such an
extent that she found the grea est diff
Guilty not to yawn in his facel S 10 was
one of tuose, also, who ca very little for
love they are sure of. Had Col. Kenyon
shown the slightest sym tom of change
Frances would Immediately have beel up
in arms, eager to retain him, or win him
back to his old allegiance. But this brave
and generous gentleman made no such
sign. 1t pleased hun to fling his heart in
passionate prodigality down before her,
judging of ner nature from the lofty in
stincts of his own.
And as he sat beside her at the wedding
breakfast, the guests around saw she had
all her own way with tie owner of Sudley,
and respected her accordingly. And pres
ently,the Rev. John Appleby, vicar of Head
fort, got on mis- fe- t to propose the health
of the bride and Bridegroom, and in flow
cry and verbose language co Iplimented
both sisters on their beauty, having an eve
also to future benefits to be derived from
Sudley.
''Seldom is it" said the Rev John, "that
two sisters are so greatly gifted by nature
as the fair daugh ers of my friend aud hos
pitable host, Col. Forth. We have just
witnessed the happy nuptials Of the younger
one, now welded to the husband of uer choice
the gallant and distinguished soldier seated
by her side; aud ere many weeks pas Miss
Frances Forth will also, believe, be led to
the al ar, by one so well known to US all for
his generosity and hospitality, and hun
dred other good qualities, wnica belong to
our neighbor, the wealthy and noble owner
of Sudley PARK"
Here he bowed to Col. Kenyon, who
smilingly returned the compliment; and
then the Rev. John went on with his dis
course, and finally ended by proposing the
health of Maj. and Mrs. Audley, to which
toast the company warmly responded.
Maj. Audley rose to reply with a some
what grim smile, and gleam Of satire in
his full light eyes.
"My poor words fail me-" he said, "to re-
ply to so much eloquence,so you must kindly
excuse blunt soldier; but at thesam time
l thank you heartily for all your good
wishes for my young wife and myself; !" and
then be sat down, and after this there was
no more speechmaking, as neither Col.
Forth nor Col. Kenyon felt themselves
called upon ito make fools of themsel YES, +"
as Col. Forth designated the fowery Ian
guage of weddings.
AID by-and-by Maj. Audley whispered a
few wo. ds ia r this ear, who rose AID left
the table, f llowed by her sister aid the
rest of the ladies present Frances accom-
panied these into the drawing room, but
Ruth went straight up to her own bedroom,
and having locked tue door. she drew out
the photogr ip- of Kenard Seaforth, mean
ing TO BID it last farewell.
Long she gazed at the smiling pleasant
face, and tue gray eyes that had al ways
looked at her il love and kindness. Long
ami then in sudden and passionate euotion
she pressed it and strained it to her breast,
meaning to destroy it before she left Head
fort. But she had not strength; it was be-
yond her to mar the pictured features tlat
in reality bad been and were so dear to her
Again she kissed it, again looked at IL, her
hea Il in her eyes, murmuring below her
breath as she did so:
'Good-by, Kenard, but not forever;n
and with these solemn words hid it away;
a few minutes later giving the locked desk
where she had placed it into the charge of
Frauces
keep it for me u1til come blck,p she
said, quietly, and Franc IS promised.
And half al hour later sle left her old
home and the days OF her girlhood behind
her. aud when Frances saw the carriage
disappear which was bearing her away, she
breathed a sish Of relief
IL l.. l.. A..