The Lamar register., 1893-08-12

y
comes-lll fix it.
..Why, Jane. what do you mcan?'
..Just let me alone now, and don't
you say word TO anybody. I've got
to think it all over l shall have
something to say about this thing
Edith Wayne. as have said. had
no conception of the feeling against
her She knew nothing of the choir's
/ history and regarded the matter OF
her engagement in the light only of
I a business transaction. 1t had been
arranged that she should come TO
Pagetown each Saturday-remaining
at the house of Squire Page until the
Monday following.
She was in splendid voice on this
first Sunday Of her appearance in the
choir;-her full, round tones had a
charmingly sympathetic quality
and those even who could not say n
word on the subject of music felt
been heard in Pagetown.
The following "Wednesday was the
day for the monthly meeting of
the sewing circle. which was to meet
on this occasion at the house of Dea-
con Perkins There was much
larger attendance than usual. for all
felt that it would bo an opportunity
to get together. and talk over the 1f-
fair which was in the mind OF every
one in the parish. There was con
siderable curiosity as to whether the
Prescott sisters would be present II
was soon satisfied Jane entered
alone. She took piece Of work and
seated herself. saying but little to
any one for awhile.
When asked why her sister did not
come. she replied that she had gone
away for icw weeks TO pay q visit
to a friend. '.She has pretty well
lost her interest in the church work,
and reason enough. too"
Now said Mrs. Fairchild. plung-
ing at once in medias res. IL don't
think Matilda ought to feel just so,
Jane. don't like changes. myself
and thought we were getting along
we'll enough with the old choir. but
we can't all view things alike. you
know"
..lf they'd only good respectable
girl, | wouldn't have said word
why, you don't know anything
against Miss Wayne. do you? j
thought she seemed sweet, inno-
cent little thing as ever was, myself
well. il you call shoPliiier an
innocent little thing, I've no more TO
say
"a what" shuddcrcd Mrs Fair
child. In stiied. husky whisper. her
very amazement deadeaing her
power TO articulate audibly.
That's what she Is" said Jane.
nipping her lips together. I'll saw
her in a store in Boston. one day last
spring. rs plain as | see you now.
She was standing right by me. ct tho
ribbon counter. and she deliberately
took up roll of pink ribbon and put
it under her cape. But the floor
walker happened TO be close by. aud
saw what she had done, aud he took
her by the arm and marched her of. "
Where to2n faltered Mrs. FAIR
child. in another frightened whisper.
Il can't tell you that mover saw
her afterwards, until she walked into
church last Sunday, But wouldn't
have her in my house, that's all. y
Can it be as George Eliot asserts,
with her terrible Psychological analy-
sis. that there arc moments when
our passions speak and decide for US.
and We seem to stand by and wonder?r
Certain it vas that to Jane Pres
colt had come an "inspiratIon OF
crime She had not premeditaied
this, but she had given tho demon
within her the heartiest welcome.
and had hidden him crush this young
interloper by any means in his power.
and now she was hurried along TO
this definite charge in spite of her
self. She was not cognizant OF much
that passed around her the res; OF
that afternoon. She was one OF the
first to leave. aud reached her home
dizzy and sick, and in co:aplcte
palsy of terror
The poisoned arrow did its work
Before the evening OF the next dsy
the charge against Edith Wayne vas
known all over the village. squire
Page himself enthusiastic as he had
been in favor Of the young singer be-
gan to feel that perhaps he had been
too hasty in selecting person of
whom he knew absolutely nothing.
The girl was charmingly modest In
manner. it was true, and seemed hon
est ana sincere bot il was so easy
FOR impostors to assume such ways.
He had known Jane Prescott all his
life-so had many others of the
tho ay,.,