Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-11-15

Common humanity Imposed ST
lence on The subject in her presence
while Maria was upon her sick bed; ;
but when she rose from it, her uncle
made formal appeal To her 10 con
fess the truth to him. The inter
view was long one, but apparently
not satisfactory, for Maria was
weeping Historically at It's conclu-
sion, and Mr.. West went forth with
an angry face, muttering hot words
about obstinate duplicity. She was
not down stairs till summer. One
day when she was yet too weak 10
capable of eXertion, and her mead
was resting on a pillow placed at the
back of her easy-chair, there was a
tap at the sitting-room door, and
Mr.. Lister came in. She attempted
to rise
"Now, if you disturb yourself, |
will 90 away" he exclaimed, insist
ing upon her laying her head down
again, and Maria, who had not
strength to battle the question, was
fam to acquiesce. He drew a char
c.ose and took her hand
81 am so glad to see you thus far
recovered"
ct had been almost better for me
that had died" she answered
"IIush. you must not give way 10
dependency. You will cain
strength and health every day now"
at is not the health that | am
of, Mr.. Lister a blow
has been struck at me that | shall
never get over; the disgrace will
cloud my life and imbitter it to its
end"
"No, no." he gently said, mistak-
ing her words to imply conscious
guilt. but feeling that IN her present
depressed state, both of mind and
body, the chief consideration must
be to soothe her. at would, indeed
be hard if one fault, fallen into per
haps in a moment of overwhelming
or impelled by grave
necessity, should stamp whole life
with remorse."
"Alr. Lister" she uttered, with a
catching of the breath,
els it possible that you believe me
guilty."
1t was a question of embarrass-
meut, OF all whom he knew, the
Clergyman could leas. have believed
in the guilt of Maria West; but he
had been most positively assured by
the family, and the facts were so
represented to him that he had no
resource but to accord them cred
ence. Maria saw his perpleXity, and
clasped her hands.
"What must you have thought of
me-" she impulsively uttered.
81 did not think harshly of you,
as perhaps some others did. /"
"Not in that way" she interrupted,
'but-but-" she had to collect her
breath and strength before going
on. "Mr. Lister, you and | have
lad some little insight into the bent
Of each others thoughts; we have
spoken seriously of the world to
come, OF the necessity of striving
or it. You suffered me TO converse
IN these subjects with you; you saw
more of my inward mind, heard
more of my aspirations and hopes,
han any one else has done; then,
ememberlng this, you must either
ave known | was wrongfully &C
used, or else have condemned me
IS being one of the worst of hypo-
rites in the sight of God"
at has been a painful puzzle to
ne, a stumblingblock, but | was not
flowed to refuse credence,"
"What have affirmed, Mr.. Lister,
o those around me, will affirm to
GU; il may be that you will listen
o me, they will not. | am inno-
emit
He gazed at her earnest, sad eyes,
I their appealing expression of can
or and truth; and the impression
egan to grow upon him that she
'as innocent.
GAS truly as that | must one day
nswer to my Maker; nay, in His
caring now, affirm it to you am
lnocent. | know nothing whatever
f the money; did not touch it;
an not imagine what became of it,"
"'I believe you," said Mr.. Lister,
peaking in the impulse of bis full
onviction.
Glow could you have believed me
uilty?" she resumed, scarcely able
} keep the sobs of humiliation from
ursting forth. "Did you think |
ad worn wicked mask, in pretend
lg to you that | hoped to do right,
} live as blamelessly as | could,
lille all the while | was planning
rimes and executing them?"
''My dear vOuno LADY,. I repeat IN