The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-14
Continued from Yesterday.
PART III.

PART III.
Ill news travels fast; more or less
accurate account of what had happened
flew round Slagborough in less than an
hour. and even made its way to semi
rural Ashdene. A. scared maid with q
scared face oarno to inform Mrs. Blen-
cove that Father Urquhart had been ac-
oused Of stealing hundreds of pounds of
charity money. and dragged of to the
police station by n constable. with all the
riff-raf Of the place following at their
heels. At first Mrs. BIoncows was much
more indignant than alarmed.
And there was not one single soul to
take his Reverence's part the girl
added. "but Mr.. Blencowe and MIR.
Vickers, who both went 10 hail him out. "
'Oh. IL my husband Is there said
Mrs. Blencowe joyfully, "don't be afraid,
all will be right"
In spite Of this security, however. in
spite, too, of cold and darkness. she threw
on some wraps. went out into the dis
nal wiptry garden. and Iestlessly paced
up and down the broad gravel walk by
which her hubsand would return, for
tho sake Of obtaining ease Of mind IA few
minutes earlier. He was very long i'm
coming and each time that she had To
retracc her steps her anxiety increased
At last she heard the gate into the high
road shut. and bastened TO meet him.
She had hoped that he would sec her from
afar, ana would greet her with tho cry.
"Its all rigntl" but he walked silently.
and. as she in her eager impat!ence
thought very much more slowly than
usual. toward her.
Tell me quickly" she cried when he
came nearer. "He has explained ,very-
thing. of course, but am miserable till /
know"
you arc not more miserable than l
ann
do you mean TO say that be has not
explainedF"
'He has explained nothing absolutely
nothing 1t is 'terriplel'
Don't speak in that voice, Edward
You don t. you can't believe him guilty."
"No. l do not believe him guilty.
but"
"But whats" she exclaimed impnt-
iently.
"Why did he not speak out boldly, and
TO the points He
"Ob, he will-he will Wait till he
does. You will be sorry afterward if you
let any doubt creep into your mind now.
Say that you do not doubt him, Edward. +"
"My heart does not, my head dncs"
Impossible! 20
Eyes, impossible. But why on earth
did he not defend himself properly to-
night2 If he had been able TO rebut tho
charge, he would surely have done it to-
night"
Mrs. Blencowe made no answer TO this,
i she was unable TO speak.
lie kissed her and said. II am unhappy
to, more unhappy than / can say. In
reality. however black things may look,
nothing would make me believe this "
And then he thought, THAT money
How little thought when l marked 1t in
whose possession it would be foundv'
"We must hope. Agnes. he said
lrearilv after pause
~ do hope" she answered boldly: II
s,n Gel tain that he will prove bis in.
nocence."
He never did prove it, When tried he
had no more to say than when arrested.
Proctor's story was clear and convincing,
and only too abundantly supported by
evidence The unhappy priests VS.
exactly the reverse. He was condemned
to five years penal servitude aud Stag
borough knew him no more.
Proctor. or course, lived on there In
freedom and prosperity. His prosperity
dated almost from tho hour of Father
Urquhart's arrest. How could it be other
wiser Customers poured into his shop
people alone for within radius OF ton
or twelve miles there was not little
town that was not "emptied Of its folk"
in turn. "Out of the bowels Of The
harmless earth, too. came pitmon on
their play days. with pockets full of
money which burnt their pockets while
yet unspent. One and all. they came even
In snow and storm to hear tho story Of
the wicked Catholic" priests misdoings
at first hand. ana to see the uan who
had succeeded In bringing him to justice.
Ere long Proctor grew rich. lie enlarged
his business premises and grow richer,
and yet richer, and vet riches lid not seem
TO gladden. his neart. Ho was broken
down and most unhappy mau. He had
ceased TO be "a saoristan. and rarelv left
his house and shop. This was iowcver.
not because be was opprs ssod b. his con-