The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-02
HER CONFESSION.

At the aga Of 16 my aunt had succeed.
ed in having me ''finished''-a according to
the fashionable patent. was beautiful,
willful, utterly selfish and devotee of the
art of flirting. So accomplished, returned
to my old home A gay party went with
me, with whom was to make the round
of watering places after short visit to
my father.
The Sabbath before we were to start we
all went to the old village church. 1 shall
never forget that day. As we all sat silent
there was slight rustling of leaves and
the imperoeptible stir that announces
newcomer, and 1 turned to see that the
clergyman had entered noiSelessly. He
was kneeling at his desk, but when, after
a moment, he rose I saw pale, intelleo-
tua1 face, a grand head covered by light,
waving hair of golden brown, tall figure
finely proportional, but little too slight
for the indication of robust health. was
attracted and interested at first, but when
he began to read the deep, melodious in
fectlons of his voice completed the charm.
listened entranced.
From that instant saw nothing, felt
nothing but his presence, until the service
and the sermon were ended.
Mechanically followed my friends into
the porch. A sudden summer shower was
gathering, the air was chill, and nature
wore the gray hue so oIninous of her COM
ing conv ulsions. 1 had been unconscious
of the change, but the chill wind had been
blowing upon me from an open window as
sat in church, and now shuddered as,
taking my fathers ARM I hurried home
ward. Before we reached the house the
storm broke and all but the swiftest pc
destrians were thoroughly drenched. Ere
nightfall burning fever alternated with icy
chills in my frame, and the effect of draft
and drenching declared themselves.
Mr.. Fletcher had been invited by my IA
ther to dine with u.s. but had excused him
self with the simple remark that his duties
absorbed the entire Sabbath day. But
during the week and after our friends had
left u.s. he called. I saw him in the little
morning room where I rested upon a
couch, and he dined with my father. This
visit was followed by many others, until
at last ne dined with US nearly every day
and spent most evenings in listening to
my performances upon the pianoforte or
in conversing with me.
1 saw the effect of my charms knew
that I was beautiful and the world de-
clared me brilliant. And brought every
art that 1 had learned to lure this SILENT
grave youth to my feet 1t was a triumph
to bend his intellect to a girls WILL and
liked him too. But I am sure no thought
of the future or of the consequences of my
act ever intruded upon me.
And yet I suffered, too, for was not
| destitute of sympathy and my heart not
wholly untouched, either, by the profound
devotion of the silent, grave man, when
listened to his declaration of love and
| spoke the words that separated US forever.
went up to my room half angry with
myself But 1 stifed the silent monitor,
and ordered my maid to prepare for the
| journey was about to undertake to join
my friends at Newport.
The morning 1 left home my father
mentioned, casually, that he had heard
that Mr.. Fletcher was very ILL I felt my
self grow pale and cold, but stifled my
emotions and in a constrained voice ex-
pressed my regret and begged my father tc
inform me in his letters of his state.
Two years later was in Italy with my
husband-the husband of my Aunt St
Clair's choice. 1 had made grand match,
but I was not happy.
One night 1 saw my husband making
his way toward me through a crowded sa-
loon. I pressed forward, for felt the need
of his protection from advances that were
! insults, though perhaps not intended as
such. He drew my arm in his, but did
not speak until we reached the anteroom.
Then he told me that he had been sum
moned to the bedside of a dying country
man and that he had come from this mel
ancholy visit to conduct me thither. He
would tell me no more, and when 1 re-
fused to go he compelled me, almost by
force, to accompany him.
1t was to Mr. Fletcher we were going
| We found him in humble lodgings for he
had spent his last dollar and was reduced
to die in the midst of poverty and depriva
| ton. He had heard of us, had seen us
when be crawled forth upon the piazza and
had ventured to send for US in his extrem
ity. He uttered no reproaches though he
told me, in hollow accents, that my rejec
ton had been his doom, and now that he
was dying, he desired only to look upon
my face.
knew then how had loved John
Fletcher, and if the sacrifice of my life
would have saved his most gladly would
have died that hour.
But God willed otherwise.
told my husband all as we returned il
the purple italian twilight from the flu
neral We had hated each other before
but now a new antagonism had arisen
We felt that the false and hollow bond.
that bound US must be snapped asunder
I left him in Naples and returned alone tt
| America, thus voluntarily renOuncing thu
station of wifehOOd and compelling mysel
to seclusion and solitude.
Years have passed since that hour. M!
father has long been dead, and SHOULD
live quite alone at Verdhiu but for tn,
sweet presence of a fair young girl-Joh1
Fletcher's sister. I found her-a mere in
fant-on my return, abandoned to povert.
by her brothers death, and she has beer
with me ever since. In my care of her
have striven, in some little measure, t.
repair the one great wrong of my life
But for her, life would be all dreary AM
no CLEAN of pleasure would light the pass
age of sor7owing penitent to the grave
philadelphia Item.