The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-08

and wife, there should be no re-
man soul is solitary. But for confess
sion, that is different; justice and re-
paration sometimes demand it; but,
again, Justice and courage sometimes
forbid it. Unless it is necessary, it is
tiabby vanity. That's why l said it
was bad for the mind"
Well" said Amy, with some spirit,
Il don't believe in taking respect, Or
or love, on false pretences! If / had
ever done any dreadful thing, / should
want to confess; good gracious for the
mere comfort of it, I should have to!
1t would be like walking on a volcano,
to keep secret"
William West went over to the table
where she was writing, and, finding a
place among the clutter of presents to
lean his elbow, sat down and looked at
her with good humored amusement
Where are you going to draw the
line? How far back are you going in
confessing your sins? Please don't tell
me that you slapped your nurse when
you were three. 1t would be horrible
shock to me to discover such a crime;
so you ought to consider how un-
happy confession would make met"
n,
Amy, with decision; If had done any
thing wrong, 1 mean very wrong, 1
should tell you-if / had only been a
year old"
Rev. Billy laughed. "a desperate viii
lain of one year," but as he spoke, a
puzzled look came into his eyes.
Il think" Amy Townsend proceeded,
that honor and fairness demand
speaking out. And as for making some
one else unhappy" her voice dropped
little, and the color came up into
her face, where people love each 9TH
er, they have a right to unhappiness.
Listen to Amy clumoring for un-
happiness" John Paul commented; {;
don't work, my child; you'll get your
share. There's enough to go round,
I've noticed"
Mrs. Paul laughed, but a note Of
reality had come into the careless talk
| that gave her sense of being third
| party.
John, you are f1ippant," she said
| "Come, let's leave these poor things
| alone; they's dying to get rid of us.
And besides, if Amy is going to confess
| her sins since she was one year old, it
will take time
! That l consider most uncalled for
reference to my twenty-seven years, "
Amy retorted and "besides, I've two
more notes to write.'
And I must go home" William West
said, rising in preoccupied manner.
"Why, but / thought you We're going
to stay to dinneri" Mrs. Paul pro-
tested, with dismay
"Oh. you must stay to dinner" Amy
| urged.
But her lover was resolute. Nor did
he, as usual, try to lure her out into
the hall that he might make his adieus
| With the slight formality which was
part of the charm Of the mani he smiled
and said good night, stopped moment
to discuss with his senior warden
something about the appropriation fol
repairs to ST. James, and then, with q
sober abstraction deepening in his face
went home through the delicate June
dusk which was full of the scent of the
roses, that grow behind the garder
walls of the old fashioned part of Mer'
Ger.
Rev. William West went into his
study and shut the door. He was {
man who was always accessible to hi
people, yet his lips frightened with i'm
patience when he found a parishionel
awaiting him, and saw a pile of notes
on his writing table. But it was only
for an instant: he listened to the anX
ieties of his caller with that concentra
tion of sympathy which can put sci
aside; and when the man went away !
was with the other mans hearted
grip of the hand, his heartfelt Il thanl
you for coming to me; God bless you
my friend, and give you wisdom"
The letters We're not so easy: but n
went through them faithfully, answer
ing them or fling them away: appeal
for help, for money, or work; two inyi