The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-08

| firstly secondly" Amy murmured,
| signing her name TO her thanks for the
third asparagus forkD
a" IN the third place, if the man has
| reformed. there was Hn essential un-
| truth i'm calling himself sinner"
"Nell. don't quite agree with that"
bcgaa Mrs. Paul.
"Ycs: you're right; you're right"
| John Paul declared. Good Lord, West.
suppose we went about confcesing some
OF our college experiences" the senior
warden Of 81. James grinned little,
but his wife looked displeased.
II don't believe YOU ever did ANYTHING
very bad. John; but II you did, think
you should have confessed 10 me-"
IL stole some signs. Kate" he told
her: "can Won ever fcrgive me?'
Amy. listening. smiling. said with
that charming sidew.se glance at her
lover: cousin Kate is quite right! [
should never forgive a man who didn't
| tell me everything. Billy, come here
and confess. Have you ever done any
| thing wickcd?"
eve are all miserable sinners" John
Paul murmured. II say SO publicly
| every Sunday"
"But yon don't specify" the minister
| reminded him. with a laugh.
There was moments silence, then
| Amy Townsend said:
"Yes. but. n'llv. doesn't IL say some
where that confession is good for the
soul?'"
"Penaaps II is." he said. drylv. "but.
generally speaking, it's mighty bad for
| the mind"
There was an outcry at this from the
| two women.
"Of course" Mrs. Paul eaid. simply
gossiping abor; ones self isn't confe
sion: but don you think. Mr.. West. in
the really de,p relations OF life. be-
tv ccn friend NJ i friend, or husband and
wife. there shc Id be no reserves"
My dear Mrs. Paul." he answered,
with quick gravity, there must be re.
| scryes-cxccpt with God. The human
soul is solitary. But for confession. TINT
is different: justice and rcparation
| sometimes demand IL: but. again. JUS
| tice and courage sometimes forbid IT,.
| Unless it is necessary, IL is labby vanity.
That's why ! said it was bad for tho
! mind"
Well" said Amy. with some spirit.
81 don't believe in taking respect. or
or love. on false pretcnccs. If had
ever done any dreadful thing. should
want 10 confess; good gracious, for the
mere comfort of II. should have 10!
1t would be like walking on volcano,
TO keep sccrct!"
William West went over TO the table
where she was writing. and. finding II
place among the clutter of presents TO
lean his elbow. sat down and looked at
her with good -humorcd amusement.
Where are you going TO draw the
line? How far back are you going in
confessirg your sins? Please don't tell
me that you slapped your nurse when
YOU were three. II would he horrible
shock to me 10 discover such % crime:
so you ought 10 consider how un-
happy confession would make mel"
81 shall go all the way back" said
Amy. with decision; "if had done any
thing wrong. | mean very wrong.
should tell you--if | had only been n
year old."
Rev. Billy laughed. ~ desperate vii
lain of one year." but as he spoke. u
puzzled look came into his eyes.
81 think" Amy Townsend proceeded.
"that honor and fairness demand speak
ing out And rs for making some one
else unhappy" her voice dropped q
little, and the color came up into her
face. where people love each other,
they have a right to unhappiness."
Listen to Amy clamorirg for un-
happiness" John Paul commented; !;
don't worry. my child; you'll get youc
share. There's enough TO go round,
I've noticed"
Mrs Paul laughed, but note of
reality bad come into the careless talk
that gave her sense of being third
party.
John. you are flippant," she said;
'comc. let's leave these two poor things
alone: they're dying 20 get rid of us.
And besides. II Amy is going to confess
her sins since she was one year old, il
will take time"
"rhat | consider most uncalled for
reference TO my twenty-seyen years y
Amy retortcd; and besides, I've two
more notes To write"
And must go home" William West
said, rising in a preoccupicd manner.
why. but thought you were going
To stay TO dinner" Mrs. Paul pro-
tested, with dismay.
"Oh. you must stay to dinner" Amy
. urged.
But her lover was resolutc. Nor did
he. as usual. try 10 lure her out into the
hall that he might make his adicus.
With the slight formni'y which was
pari Of the chaIm of the man. he smiled.
and said good uighi. stopped a moment
to discuss ~ ith his senior warden some
thing about the appropriation for Re-
| pairs al st. James. und then.with a sober
abstraction deepening IN his face. went
home through the dclicr'e June dusk
which was full OF the yceni OF the roses.
that grow behind the garden walls Of