The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-07
THE TEMPTATION OF
THE MINOR CANON.
From the London Truth

{ ment and throw himself on the bishops
generosity. II would be very humiliat-
ing. no doubt, but he felt sure that the
bishop would keep his secret As 10
humbiing himself in this way before the
bishops daughter. that was not TO be
thought Of.
But Winifred did not go at once
Shall ring for Jackson, papa, before :
go2"
IF you please. my love"
The bell was rung Not tin Jackson
came did Winifred withdraw. but il was
impossible for Mr.. Buckley 10 come ont
and exhibit himself as an imitation bishop
in the presence Of a mental. lie felt that
he must postpone his manifestations until
Jackson should have retired.
But before this happened the dean made
his appearance. He had come TO inquire
after his distinguished guest And with
the dean was Winifred.
1T is an attack of the head" said the
bishop. Ia a plaintive tone. Very slight,
! am thankful to say, but still I think l
ought 20 keep quiet"
But YOU viii be able to join US at din
ner, my lord. ] hope?"
Il trust you will kindly excuse ne.
You know what a disappointment IT will
be 10 me. but ] think IT would hardly be
prudent. But what is that sort of stifed
noisec l have heard II several times
now"
1t seems to come from the wardrobe.
papa" said Winfred.
Would you see If Jackson is outsider"
said the bishop to his daughter.
Jackson had discreetly withdrawn on
the arrival Of the dean, but he had NOT
gone far. Winifred found him in the cor
ridor
do you think there can be cat in the
wardrobe. Jackson?" asked the bishop in
has most impressive manner. Cats" ne
added, addressing his other visitors. care
said 10 have a perfect genius for getting
themselves shut up in the most unlikely
places"
Il viii see. my lord" said Jackson.
He took step or two toward the ward
robe. but suddenly started back appalled,.
for just as he was about to open the door,
the door opened and as it seemed. Of itself
ana there stepped forth a majestic figure
arrayed in fun Episcopal robes.
Every one startcd-the bishop most Ct
an Was this his double. or an hallucina-
ton Of his fevered brain. He laid his fin
ger on his pulse.
Beg pardon. my lord" stammered
Jackson, addressing the figure in the
robes The clothes make the man. and
lh Jackson's eyes this was genuine mem
Der Of the Episcopal order WHY he
should have secreted himself in a ward
robe was not at the moment clear. but
THIS did not make him the less a bishop.
but the other spectators were not long
m recognizing the impressive features Of
the Minor Canon.
Mr.. Bulkeley" exclaimed Winifred.
MIR. Buckley" echoed the others.
Mr.. Bulkeley tried in vain to preserve a
dlsnihed demeanor. The chimere was
now a Nessus-robe.
Il am sure ! beg your pardon nv lord ."
he stammered. "A mere passing freak 7
assure you"
Fray don't mention it," answered the
bishop, with freezing politeness. 1t
seemed to him monstrous that any human
being should dare to thus make a trayestv
robes. too,
Then there was a dead silence for a few
seconds which seemed an eternity.
Il think | had better 20 now" said
hr. Bulkely, feebly. He had been debat-
ing within himself whether he should
take off his borrowed plumes there and
then or perform the operation In the pri-
Nacy OF MS own room. Calmly to walk
OH with the bishops robes before the
very eyes of the bishop himself needed
some audacity. But. on the other hand
II was impossible for him 70 divest him
sell OF them one by one before such IN
sympathetic spectators. So he turned off
toward the door, and, unable to utter an
other word, half stalked. half stumbled
!, oiii ,l'e looii' sun plShop In appearance
though not i'm mien.
"A most extraordinary proceeding"
said the bishop. when the door had closed.
behind Mr.. Buckley
The man must be mad" said the dean.
The fortune he has just come into must
have turned his head"
II don't see why it should have been
turned in my direction" said the bishop.
plaintivey.
Jackson had followed Mr. Buckley out
OF the room. lie now returned with the
bishops robes across his arm
with Canon Bullkeley's compliments
my lord, and he will write to your lord
ship on the subject"