Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-12-19
A CHAPLAlN'S STORY.

together in the classical (honors) school
and were ordained together by the Bish-
op of L. as curates for his diocese
Here our paths separated for some years,
and when next we renewed our old
friendship l was the vicar of the town,
still single at "a, and Jim WIS., the chap,
lain OF the famous Jail in the same
town and married.
We were talking in my study as in
S,s'en times Somehow the conversation
0rlfted to the subject of recent news
paper article, "Ought Married People
to Have Any Secrets From Each 9th
err l said mo" Jim said eyes" We
both smilingly stuck to our text. 1t was
not often that we differed in opinion,
but this was the case anyhow.
"Why, Jim." said I, you would
have been the last person l should have
expected to take that line for am sure,
from what l have seen, that if ever two
folks were happy and loving they are
Ella and yourself l can't conceive Of
your having any secret which you would
not wish Ella to know
"Ah," retorted he with a peculiar
smile, "that's just it. Well, Howson,
II tell you one, if you like. Though"
he added, ''it must remain secret be-
tween US two"
Thanks. Jim; you need not fear me,
as you know. | am only curious to know
the case" and l assumed an attitude of
eager attention to Jim's story.
81 was the chaplain at Lowmarket
xIo11
here. 1t is pretty place, and one won
ders whatever made the government
build a Jail there. However, there it is,
and there was l. The amount of society
that one got i'll Lowmarket was perfect
ly astonishing. Had / had the time and
inclination for it | might have turned
out a regular society clergyman. AS
it was, l had a full amount of lectures,
soirees, parties and entertainments
Among TIE people l got in with none
were nicer than the Yorks. Miss York,
maiden lady of so, lived in large
and beautifully furnished house called
The Cet!ars in the best part of the town.
She was known all over the district for
her charity, kindness of heart and pure
life. Ey(1ybcdy had good word for
her Nor was her niece, Miss York,
any less popular. People in Lowmarket
fairly wCrshipcd 10th of them.
'Iwas 2S when l first saw Ella York,
and at once succumbed to her charms.
For weeks her praises had been in my
ears, and Ecw, on acquaintance, ffound
her beauty, her manners, her kindness
of heart not one whit less than report
stated. | loved her. OF course l could
not say so at once, and whether, after
two Or three meetings in the course of
my wCrk-fCr Miss York the elder took
great intucst in our sphere of labor
she guessed NY love and reciprocated it,
could not then say. l found upon ju-
dicious inquiries that Miss York-Ella
had lived with her aunt from child
hood; that she was now "a; that her
mother was dead, and her father lived
on the continent for his health also
that she was her aunt's sole heiress
These facts were, of course, only learned
by degrees, as one cannot go to the
fountain head for such information.
"Aftor much heart searching and de-
batting within myself l thought saw
that Ella York was not wholly indiffer-
cnt to me, and | resolved to ask her to
be my wife. l need not go into details
as to how did it beyond saying that it
was one summer morning, rather more
than five ycals ago, when, having gone
TO see her aunt, who was out, l met FL
la i'll the grounds, and, after talking, as
we walked along, on various subjects,
somehow it came out unexpectedly, and
almost before l could comprehend what
it all meant Ella York had promised to
be my wife, subject to her aunt's con-
sent.
"But her aunt didn't consent. l re-
ceived a dainty note that night-how
tcndcrly | regarded it, Howson-from
Ella, saying that she had spoken of my
visit to her aunt and had told her was
coming tomorrow for her approval.
Miss York had been very kind, but act
cd rather strangely and said she would
see me, but she could not consent as
she did net wish to lose Ella. My dear
girl Went Oh to say that she had in vain
tried to get from her amy more than this.
Il was in a curious frame of mind
York What could her objection really
be: Surely not to me. My position, my
family, my life here were, hoped, be-
yond lcEroach. Even if it were a ques-
tlon OF money, l had enough private
means, as you know. AS for Miss York,
well, of course, it would be lonely with
out Ella at Grst after so many years
compGniorship, but surely she didn't
expect her rever to get married. 1t was
, IreposteroUs
Il was destined to know her objec-
ticn. AS l approached the lodge the
pCltcrcss met me.
"'Oh, Mr.. Bourn, this is shocking
Twas more puzzled than ever. Why
my engagement to Ella should be
shocking l couldn't see, and I, no
dcnLt. expressed it ill my looks.
so sudden, too, sir" said the wom-
an. Nobody expected it,
'Whatever's the matter?' said I.
why, haven't you heard that Miss
Yolk is dead? No. Oh, dear! Poor
thing. Had a tit i'll the night, doctor
says; was quite unconscious when Miss
Ella got there, and died ut o'clock this
morning.
my heart sank. felt faint and gid
dy. 1t Was some minutes before could
move. You will never know how it
feels. Howson, unless you should have
such IA blow, which l hope you never
will. But l am bound to say that my