River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-02-28

The address. founded on the solemn
question as 10 ''what it shall profit q
man TO gain the whole world and los,
his own soul, was a most powerful
and heart-stirring appeal. and no one
present was more deeply impressed by
il than Arnold Lyle.
When the service was over Arnold
only waited to see Miss Orme drive
away in her little carriage toward her
home, after bidding him follow with
Mr.. Moore as quickly as he could. and
then he eagerly Joined the preacher
for the five-mile walk which would
bring them to her castle. He began
at once to speak on the subject which
had so long been a source of distress
to him. and asked Mr. Moore ifshe
could suggest any expedient for sup
plying the people Of the valley with
more frequent means of religious wor-
ship and instruction than they had
hitherto possessed.
Mr. Moore turned round and looked
fixedly at Arnold, maintaining perfect
silence for a few minutes while he
scanned the young mans frank. noble
cOuntenancc with searching eyes; then
he placed his hand firmly on his
shoulder
Arnold Lyle" he said. Il exoner-
ate you from all blame in the cruel
wrong which has desolated this valley,
and starved the souls of the people for
well nigh thirty years; but l see
you are in complete ignorance
Of il. but feel that il Is
my plain duty TO tell you all the
truth Thirty years ago l came to hold
a service in this valley. Mr.. Penthyn.
the last proprietor. was present, and
was deeply moved. He took me home
with him after the service was over,
aad told me that as he was childless.
he had no near relation with any claim
upon him. he had resolved 10 bequeath
the whole Of his property to the serv-
Ice of God; the land should be sold.
and with the proceeds a church should
BE- built and endowed, while his dwell
ing house should be separately be-
queathed to be the parsonage of a res
ident clergyman. ! highly applauded
Mr.. Penrhyu's resolution, and often
thought afterward with great satisfac-
ton of the inestimlble benefit which
1 | hoped had been secured TO the
valley. 1t happened. however,
that Immediately after my inter-
view with Mr.. Penrhyn | had a
sudden call u a mission in Africa, aud
| was absent TOR three years in a re-
mote part OF the Dark Continent, where
could have no communication at all
with England. On my return at the
end Of that time found letter await
ing me from Mr. Penrhyn. written on
his dcath-bed, more than two years
before 1t stated that in my absence
he had made over his property in trust
to a young man to whom he had fully
( explained his purpose with regard to
it. and who had undertaken to carry
out his wishes to the letter. He was
10 sell the land. see the church built,
and install "A suitable clergyman in the
house destined for him. Mr. Penrhyn
added that he mad given to the young
man in question, whose name was
John Lyle. paper Of distinct direc-
/ lions, and small sum of money for
himself in compensation for any
trouble which might be involved in the
arrangements.
Immediately on the receipt Of this
letter from the good man Who had al
ready lain in his grave for two years
and half. | came to this valley.
found no church, no clergyman, but
John Lyle. as sole proprietor. was liv.
ing in the house which should have
been the parsonage. with his beautiful
young wife. who was then Just expect.
ing the birth of her first-born child.
and no one had the least suspicion that
he had not rightly inherited the prop.
erty from Mr.. Penrhyn. | showed Mr.
Lyle the letter had received; spoke
to him in the strongest terms of the
guilt he was binding on his soul by
such a fraud; but all was in vain; he
Snatched the letter from my hands and
flung it into the fire. declaring that in
any case it constituted no legal proof
He asked me If l supposed that any
power on earth could drive him to cas-
his young wife and her child from theil
home and give them up to restitution.
He babe me 20 and leave him in peace.
| went, shaking the dust from my feet
on his threshold. and feeling"
Mr.. Moore stopped without finishing
his sentence, but Arnold suddenly
turning to him a face white as death,
and contracted with agony. flung az
his arms and exclaimed: Feeling that
the curse OF God must rest on that
house-a curse" he added. hoarsely,
(which can only be removed by an act
OF restitution that would bring ruin
aud anguish and humiliation on the
father | love and revere; an act surely
impossible for nim-fOr melville he
lives
Then staggering like II man who had
been almost knocked down by a sud.
den blow. Arnold turned aside and
leaned against tree which stood near
the path. with his face buried in his
hands:
MY brain is in a whirl." he said;
1.-The terrible revelation you have made
to me seems to have cast all the condi-
tiOns Of my existence, past aud pres
ent. in ruins round me. | can not
analyze my position. can not think
i can only suffer. | must be alone
Ia look the truth in the face. You must
leave me. Mr.. Moore. and 30 without
me 10 Castle Orme. Tell Evelyn
Miss OIme-that cruel. strange ca
lainity has bcfallen me. and have not
courage 10 20 10 her house tonight
Mr. Moore moved away. saying.
gravely: Il will give your message to
Miss Orme." And 80 they parted.
For hours Arnold paced to and fro
in the chill night air torn by conflict
ing feelings; and then. lest his father
should be- alarmed at his absence. h
went home "a startle Mr. Lyle by his
white face and wild, despairins eyes.
merely saying he felt fatigued and un-
well. aud would 20 At once to bed. He
shut himself into his room, there Ia
pass night OF perfectly sleeplcss mis-
cry.
Arnold had come 10 no decision when
he went down soon after sunrise next