Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-12-05
CHAPTER XIV.
RETRIBUTION.

| MOncktOn. during his long lmpriSOn-
ment at DartmoOr, came under many
| chaplains. and he was popular with
| them all: because when they inquired
| into the state of his soul he represented
| it as humble. penitent. and purified
Two Of these gentlemen were High
| Church, and he noticed their peculiari-
| ties: one was a certain half-musical
| monotOny in speaking which might be
| called by severe critic sing-song. Per
haps they thought the informing of the
| service in a cathedral could be transfer
red with advantage to conversation.
So now, to be strictly in character.
| this parsonage not only dressed High
Church, but threw sweet musical
monotony into the communication he
made to Colonel Clifford
And if the reader viii compare this
his method of speaking with the matter
| of his discourse, he will be sensible of a
| singular contrast.
After the first introduction. Monck-
ton intoned very gently that he had a
| communication to make on the part of
a lady which was painful to him, and
but, at all events, it was confidential.
and if the Colonel thought proper,
would go no further.
Il think, sir, you have son whose
name is WaIter?"
Il have son, and his name is Wal
ter" said the Colonel, Stiff1v.
i think, sir" said musical MOncktOn.
shat he left your house about fourteen,
! years ago, and you lost sight of him for
time"
THAT is so, sir"
"He entered the service of Mr.. Rob
ert Barley as merchants clerk"
Il doubt that. sir"
Il fear, sir" sighed MOncktOn. mu-
5ically that is not the only thing he
did which has been withheld from you.
He married a lady called Lucy Muller"
who told you that?" cried the Colo
mel. Its lie!"
Il am afraid not" said the meek and
tuneful ecclesiastic. Il am acquainted
with the lady, most respectable per-
son, and she has shown me the certifi-
cate of marriage"
"The certificate of marriage." cried
the Colonel, all aghast.
Yes, sir, and this is not the first time
[ have given this information in conf
dence. Mrs. Walter Clifford. who is a
kind-hearted woman, and has long
ceased to suffer bitterly from her hus-
bands deSertiOn. requested me to warn
young lduy, whose name was MISS
Mary BARLEY. of this fact | did so.
and showed her the certificate. She was
very much distressed. and no wonder.
for she was reported to be engaged to
Mr.. Walter Clifford; but I explained to
Miss BARLEY that there was no jealousy,
hostility, or bitterness in the matter;
the only object was to save her from be-
ing betrayed into an illegal act, and one
that would bring ruin upon herself, and
g severe penalty upon Mr.. Walter Cliff
ford"
Colonel Clifford turned very pale, but
he merely said, in hoarse voice, go
on. sin"
well, sir" said Monckton, Il thought
the matter was at an end, and, having
discharged commission which was
very unpleasant to me. / had at all
events saved an innocent girl from
tempting Mr.. Walter Clifford to his de-
struction and running herself. | say, [
thought and hoped So But it seemed
now that the young lady has defied the
warning, and has married your son aft
er all. Mrs. Walter Clifford has heard
of it in Derby, and she is naturally sur
prised, and l am afraid she is now some
what incenSed."
ITO bn continual !