The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-12-24
HER CONFESSION.

Hek CUNteSSIVN.
London Mail.
Long after the speakers words had
died away the listening people waited
in hushcd expectancy, unwilling to
believe that he had flashed and un.
able to descend all ut once from the
heights to which they had been
raised.
John Ordway aLd his wife came
from the chapel among the last. Both
had been strongly moved by the even.
ing's sermon, but In different ways,
indicative perhaps OF their widely dif.
fering tcmperaments.
Ordway helped his wife into the
wagon, the horses struck into u swift
trOt, and the driver leaned forward to
draw the rug more closely about his
companion, pccring up into her face
sOlicit0usly.
They moved swiftly past the scat.
tered houses OF the village and out
intO u stretch Of open country. Three
or four times the woman raised her
head as though about u speak. but
checked herself with an effort.
IL have something tO tell you,
J0hn," she said at last. IL am
afraid ought to have told yUu long
ago."
Are &c sure &c ought?" he asked
gently. May be there Amt any
need"
"Thcre is need" she answered" :"
II have known all along that II would
be better to speak out, but somehow
| never felt that could until to.
night" She paused as though to
gather courage. "It's about myself
and Willis" she said, "You remenl-
bcr-"
Ordway bent forward SUDDENLY with
a warning shout tO the horses, and
the wagon joltcd heavily In Il deep
rut.
"Tlat's me all Ovcr,' he said. with
a chucklc. II took special notice of
that hole SO as to skip II on the way
home, and here am driving right
into it again like an old fool. That's
what comes Of listcnin' to sermons &c
can't quite understand"
Wont you listen tn lnc, JOhn?" his
wife asked plcadingly.
Uf course l WILL" he answered,
'only my nerves bein' ~ wrought up
I'm sort Of 'fraid tD have any big shock
come on me sudden, yc know"
Ordway put his arm around her and
drew her closer to him protcctingly as
q mother sOOtlies u nervous, sleepy
child.
II wasn't jOkin'," he said. "I'm
always glad to listen to ye, only !
think ye'd best wait till VIC get home.
We're most there now"
"Go In by the fire." said John Ord
way. when ut length, they ratified into
the farnl.yard. "lt'll take INC some
time to fix things up"
But when he came from the stable,
he found her waiting, leaning against
one OF the square posts OF the porch
and looking out across the darkness
Of the valley.
II wanted to wait until We could 70
In togct her." she said.
The long low kitchen was full Of
changing shadows, which danced
across the time polished floor and lost
themselves in the corners Of the ir.
regular ceiling, when Ordway crossed
tO the huge hrepIuce, and piled some
sticks Of soft wood on the glowing
ashes. At length she spoke slowly,
and with evident effort ut calmncss.
"YOu must try to be patient with
me-" she said. "YOu'll be astOnishcd,
l know, and / am afraid you'll be
angry-and I couldn't blame yOu-but
l want you to wait till-till I've In
ishcd."
She hesitated as II to gain strength
aud he marked how the slender figure
quivered with the ceiiort Of her hurried
breathing.
II had promised to marry Willis b.
fore l knew you." she said unsteadily
1--WE Quarreled about some little
thing, and cacll was too proud to spcaL
lrst. Finally he went away without
seeing me. You know how VIC hcart
that he died In Africa. l believed
tive all did-and ! cried myself Il
sleep night after night because
hadn't acted differently.
"As the time went on began t,
forget little By little, md utter awhil,
II all seemed like sort Of dream,
Then you camc int' my life, ant
taughtmc to trust you and turn Il
you for help In everything. And, Il
truth, / loved you more than yol
could ever understand" Her voic'
trcmblcd. "You believe me, John?
she asked. "Say that you d. bcliev,