Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-01-26
A CHAPLA1N'S STORY.

at Westminster; we went to Oxford to-
gether-to Balliol; we took our degrees
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 1 was the vicar of the town,
still single at 81, and Jim was the chap
lain OF the famous Jail in the same
town and married.
We were talking in my study as in
olden times. Somehow the conversation
drifted to the subject of a recent news-
paper article. "Oughs Married People
to Have Any Secrets From Each 9th
er?'' I said mo, - Jim said Yes 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 /, ''you would
have been the last person should have
expected TO take that line, for 1 am sure,
from what have seen. that if ever two
folks were happy and loving they are
Ella and yourself. 1 can It 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,
I'll 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. 1 am only curious to know
the case, and / assumed an attitude of
eager attention to Jim's story.
81 was the chaplain at Ipwmarket,
as yen are well aware. before 1 came
here. 1t is a pretty place, and one WON
ders whatever made the government
build jail there. However, there it is,
and there was l. The amount of society
that one got in Lowmarket was perfect
ly astonishing. Ead 1 had the time and
inclination for it [ might have turned
out regular society clergyman. As
it was, had full amount of lectures,
soirees, parties and entertainments.
Among the people got in with none
were nicer than the Yorks. Miss York,
maiden lady of 90, lived in a large
and beautifully furnished house called
The Cedars in the best part of the town.
She was known all over the district for
her charity, kindness Of heart and pure
life. Every body had a good word for
her. Nor was her niece, Miss York,
fairly worshiped both of them.
al was 2S when first saw Ella York,
and at once succumbed to her charms.
For weeks her praises had been in my
ears, and now, ON acquaintance, 1 found
her beauty, her manners, her kindness
of heart not one whit less than report
stated loved her. OF course could
not say SO at once. and whether, after
two or three meetings in the course of
my work-for Miss York the elder took
great interest in our sphere of labor
she guessed my love and reciprocated it,
l could not then say. / found upon 9u-
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 beiress.
These facts were, of course, only learned
by degrees, as one cannot go to the
fountain head for such information.
"After much heart searching and de-
batting within myself l thought l saw
that Ella York was not wholly indiffer
ent to me, and 1 resolved to ask her to
be my wife. need not go into details
as to how 1 did it beyond saying that it
was one summer morning, rather moro
than five years ago, when, having gone
to see her aunt, who was out, / met Ell
la i'll the grounds, and, after talking, as
we walked along, ON various subjects,
somehow it came out unexpectedly, and
almost before 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. 1 re-
ceived dainty note that Dight-how
teDderly 1 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
ed rather strangely and said she would
see me, but she could not consent. as
she did not wish to lose Ella Ny dear
girl went ON to say that she had in vain
tried to get from her any more than this.
81 was in curious frame OF mind
as l went next morning to see Miss
York What could her objection really
be? Surely not to me. My position, my
family, my life here were, hoped, be-
yond reproach. Even if it were a ques-
tion of money, 1 had enough private
means, as you know. AS for Miss York,
well, of oourse, it would be lonely with
out Ella at first, after SO many-years'
companionship, but surely she didn't
expect her never to get married. 1t was
preposterous-
''I was destined to know her objec-
tion. AS I approached the lodge the
porteress met me.
"'Oh, Mr.. Bourn, this is shocking
"I was more puzzled than ever. Why
my engagement to Ella should be
shocking couldn't see, and I, no
doubt, expressed ii in my looks.
80 So sudden, too, SIR" said the wom-
I'm. Nobody expected it.
'Whatever's the natter said I.
"'Why, haven't you heard that Miss
York is dead? No. Oh, dearl Poor
thing. Had a fit in the night. doctor
says; was quite unconscious when Miss
Ella got there. and died at 0 O'Clock this
morning.
My heart sank. felt faint and gid
dy. It was come minutes before could
move You will never know how it
feels, Howson, unless you should have
such a blow, which I hope you never
will But 1 am bound to say that my
one thought was my poor, lonely dar-
ling, Ella.
HThere were no more details to be
learned about Miss York's death. She