Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-17
THE CURATE'S CONSCIENCE


he married a wife WITH money. Miss LIE
fort had long been in search of man
vlrtuous enough to come up to her high
standard of conduct, and in Mr.. Softly she
found what she sought; be was an embo1i.
ment of the Christian virtues in genera
and of meekness III particular. She was
not exactly beautiful, nor was she SC
young as she had been fifteen, or even ten
years before; but she had an income
which was large in comparison to TIE
9120 year at which Mr.. Softiy's services
were valued by his vicar, and that gave
her confidence. In three months after sic
made up her mind to have him, she led
her bushirg bridegroom to the altar, and
the strains of ''The Voice That Breathed
Ger Eden announced that one more
unfortunate had fallen victim to the
predatory instincts Of the weaker sex.
The honey moon wayed ana waned, and
was succeeded by FIVE other moons, each
of which no doubt contained its due pro-
portion of sweetening matter. For his
Gl20 year the vicar obtained the service
of curate and a halls, and Mr.. Softly was
the half.
"Simperly, there's letter for you from
London, said Mrs. Softly one morning
at break fast.
From Lon6on?'' replied Softly, in
meek surprise, From whom, | won
der?'
Its from my Uncle Lefort," said the
lady. He wants you to go up and talk
to him about investing that FL COO OF
mine,
Really, my darling" said Softly, flush.
ing up nervously, Il wish you'd let me
Cpan my letters for myself"
II didn' notice that il as addressed to
you" said his wife carelessly, land ii
wouldn't have mattered if | had. If
there's nothing In your letters TO be
ashamed Of you needn't mind my opening
thorn"
No, of course not; but stiII---''
But still you'd mach rather didn t.
On, simperls, do you think don't
know ?"
"Well, well, my love, never mind
said the model husband, "there's no harm
done. When does he want to see me?'
To-day. But you can't go today.
want you.
But, Boadicea, don't you think
No, Simperly, don't He must wait
till tomorrow. | can't make our why he
wants you at all. You know nothing
about business.
We'll" said Simperly timidIy, ''the
money is in trust account in his name
al d mine, and he can't do anything with
out my signature.
Mrs. Softly looked as if she had some
thing to remark on that point, but she
only said:
You must write and say you'll be
with him at IL. If you 60 by the s
o'clock train you can be back for tea and
not waste your time in London. Write
now!"
Simperly had not finished his breakfast
but he rose and did as he was bid. Then
he prepared to set about his days work
or such part of it as Mrs. Softly considered
him capable of performing.
Next morning he was up betime, for he
was delighted at the thought of spending
"a day In town. Arrived at the station be
got into an emp y carriage and preraeed
to finish the bread and butter which be
had snatched from his interrupted break
fast, hoping to have the carriage to him.
self all the way to London. But just as
the train was starting the door was thrown
open and a lady was flung in by the
guard. The lady was not troubled with
shyness, nor, apparently, was she in the
habit of icing treated with neglect, ano
at last she said, in voice half-laughing
half piqued:
Don't you remember me, Mr.. Softy?'
The curate turned round, with weak
smile. Il don't think I've ever had the
pleasure" he simpered, and then broke
off his speech and sat staring at her
why, surely he stammered, ut CAM
be Maria Jenkins"
'No, indeed, it can't the girl said
laughing. There is no Maria Jenkin:
now. I'm. Marian Jermyn, that's succeeded
10 all her rights. | don't see why yor
! should pretend You don't know her after
| all the lessons you have taught her. DON I
You remember the Sunday school tleat-et
me see, two-yes, two years ago lasr
August, and the prize | got for panctua
attendance"
You deserved it Maria" said Softl,
with warmth; you deserved it. Yor
were he best girl in the class that year
and told the vicar that | was sure yor
would be credit to our teaching"
oh, yes am that, said the girl
1--WE often been told So
She put cut her foot and looked down a
it smiling, as if there were some secret be
tween them, and Simperly noticed tina
she had very long eye eyeiashes and verl
delicate eyebrows. He also noticed sever
! al other things winch he did not relnem
Der to have remarked when she ATTENDED
! the Sunday school. His gaze Travelled
| DOWN. ard till 1t reached the foot at which
! she was looking so con6Gentially 1t wa
/ slender foot-one that won d have Iail
in a man $ hand-and was incased in tan
shoe, and-but here Simperly resolutei,
closed his eyes. He would not look at th,
color of her st-Mrs. Softly wore whit,
oncs, al. for him no other color was DOS
| slble.
"And where are you living now
| Maria?" he said. after paus-. "You
good mother told me that you had obtain
ed a situation In one OF the large establish
ments III London, and that she was coin!
there TO make home for you, because The
temptations were SO great for youn:
/ girl
On. yes. | got d good situation
enough, said Miss Jermyn, but I've ;
much better one now. ! found some gooC
friends In London, Mr.. Softly, and wen
on the stage"
'On the stage!' cried the curate, horri
| fed. 90. Maria, how shocking! is thi
the result of our teaching? Don't yo,
know
Now, now, now!" she said, laughing
/ think | know more about it thar yol
do, Mr.. Softly. But why do you sit owe
there? Come over and take This seat ant
let us talk about old times. I've heard S,
much about you In the village"
Simperly hesitated: but he caught sigh
| OF that dlaoOilcal shoe and went.
"And SO you're married are you2" be