The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27

began to fear that Martha already repented
OF her bargain. Thus, although things went
on externally just as before, there was an
underground of feeling which perpetually
kept alive in both sense of restraint.
seeming to dispose OF Mr.. Dobinson's agita-
ton with regard to his bureau, as days
passed Ii only revived it in a still more acute
form. His action seemed no longer to agree
with the condition which old Mr.. Huds-
peth had imposed. To such a degree did
this rise that for the whole OF one week
the minister was utterly incapable of COM
posing one word of his sermons. Saturday
night came, and nothing was done; not a
thought or emotion would arise in him, al
though he had sat for hours staring at his
bureau. He would get up and pace about
the room in despair, then sit down again
TO the same hopeless blank as before. he
scrubbed on paper and tore it up; pulled
one note book after another from the pigeon
holes, and thrust them back again. With
nervous fingers he played with the edges of
the green baize that lined the flap on which
he wrote, and without knowing 1t began to
peal it off from one corner where II was
loose. After doing this for some seconds I'M
consciously he awoke to the fact and was
distressed at the damage he had done. In
looking at it, however, something attracted
his attention and he leaned forward and
stared. The piece of cloth which was loose
extended about six inches from the corner,
and this the minister had folded back.
Underneath it a bit of paper appeared. AT
this he stared long and earestly.
1t is not likely that MIR. Dobinson had
ever read d romance, or else no doubt MS
first attention to the old bureau would nave
been by way of search for the hidden BANK
notes or other important documents which
such a piece of furniture is generally found
to contain. The discovery of this scrap OF
paper, therefore, took him completely by
paper, with writing upon it, and the words
which the minister read over and over
again We're these: - never forgive heT.
Her behavior to the child Janet has been
iniquitouS in the extreme, and Ii the poor
darling is ever to find happiness or even
peace in this life at all it must be at the
hoe aN 1yv,O hn a
piness of children of his own, or in years to
come let US hope at the hands of one who
may have the sense to find in what the chief
glory of existence consists. Yours ever,
Jonathan Hudspeth."
Despite his ill-success before Mr.. Dobin-
sons first impulse was to consult the vicar
with regard to this important fragment. he
took it and went direct to the parsonage.
Eyes, / can enlighten you, said Mr.. Hol-
lonutt, with the bland smile he had ready ready
Ryle, at Westwood, who is niece of old
Hudspetn, and who was particularly un-
fortunate in her home surroundings. You
her old uncle'S writing and l am thankful
to see that he could write in such spirit.
YOU would not have found this fragment.
Do you consider it clew TO the lost condi-
tion?" concluded the clergyman facetiously:
But Mr.. Dobinson could not make fun OF
anything connected with this matter. he
left the Vicarage very thoughttuI, even agl-
tated. 1t was lovely evening, so in order
to calm himself he turned away from the
village and walked toward The moor. He
went on and on heedlessly, without any de-
sign in the direction he took. The wide ex-
panse of heather ready to bloom spread be-
fore him, and the sun was sinking to the
hilltops. The path lay exactly IN the tace OF
the sun, so the minister kept his eyes down.
ward, and 1T was with a start of astomsh-
ment that he became suddenly aware OF
RaisnG one his eyes he looked into the face
of Martha Boyd He was confused by
the apparition that his behavior must have
e4,-o fh0
II am so glad you are going, exclaimed
she. She is very i'll.
What? Who? Going where7 What do
For an instant Martha was shocked at his
''She is expecting you. She has been talk
ing about you to ma all the time"
dearest, do explain to me-" cried the
minister in despair. as he snatched her
hand. 81 can't imagine what you mean. !
was only coming for a walk, to be alone"
1t was difficult to believe him, but his
earnestness seemed sincere.
IT thought you were going to Westwood to
see Janet Ryle. She said you would come
Mr.. Dobinson stared into her face in utter
bewiderment ana only S saw that Martina
you cannot think that would lie to you,
Martha. / have no idea what you mean. l
have never been to see Janet Ryle; did not
know that she was i'll. Why should she say
that would conner"
Because she wishes you to-" was the
reply, for now Martha fully believed him.
"Then you must come back with me as
we'll" So they went on to Westwood in
company.
governess at the farm of Westwood, and
was known to Mr.. Dobinson as one of his
congregation. He had never admitted any
undue Partially for Janet, but now, as he
saw her pale and worn with sickness
strong wave OF sympathy swept over him,
| and he recollected having fixed his eyes
often on her in the church. The minister
had insisted upon Martha accompanying
| him to Janet's room, and indeed after the
| first reluctance Martha herself seemed to
| go with alacrity. After the minister's few
| kind words to the invalid, Martha stepped
| forward to the bedside and folded Janet in
| her arms, whispering excitedly in her ear
| Mr.. DobinSon was prepleXed Mysteries
seemed to gather about him to an alarming
| degree. He looked from one to the other
| of his companions, as if imploring help, as
| If mutely entreating them to disclose the
secret key which jointly they possessed.
''I must and shall tell him, Janet" ex-
| claimed Martha.
TT will be wicked if you do" said the
other. You promised me not"
But it is wicked sometimes to keep a
promise. This one I cannot keep. Besides,
| knew it without you telling me. | found
it out myself had watched a5t you k t5;s,,
| l could ever be happy now?"
Janet hid her face, imploring the other
| to be silent to leave her; but after hest
the minister and burst out afresh.
g! can be. silent no longer" said she Il
wish to be free Mr.. Dobinson have done
wrong to you, and / beg you to free me-
| In your heart you do not love me. 1t isn't
| likely you should, for / am not worth it.
| I'm not fitted for you like-like-I can see
| now how shamefully 1 behaved. l thought
| It was fun, but butt knew you were alone
| that evening in the Manse. l trapped you
| You would never have loved me but for that.
| want you to break ct off--to free me"
my dear Martha said the minister, with
kindness and Unexpectedly dignity, you are
| beside yourself. You are excited. You will
regret this when you are calmer: Let US
leave it all for day or two. We shall only
make Janet worse.
Not if she hears you say that am free
that YOU can't and won't marry me. Here
| is the ring. Take it! Only say that we are
not engaged, that you don't love me, and
we will 60"
But truthfully can't say that"
'.TThen YOU make me tell you that I don't
and can't love you. 1t is all a. mistake.
want to be free. There is only one that
loves YOU as a woman really can love you.
Take the ring. l beseech you
There, Janet, he has got it,! cried
Martha. "Do you think l am blind? Do
you think could live with such a thing on
my mind2'
Janet had uncovered her face and started
at the scene which she had innocently occa-
stoned Turning suddenly, the minister
looked directly into her eyes, and continued
looking for some seconds silently. Then
heaying a deep sigh, impulsively he took his
leave. 1t was few minutes before Martina
followed him.
But in the wondrous evening light Qhe
blazing sun was just touching the hill
crests) the minister fingered. The whole
way they walked side by side in silence; AS