The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-17

mlSvOn were WdthiHB uoWh
the main street OF the VII
lage, engaged In conversa-
tion, which, being that OF a
- recently affianced pair. need
not here be repeated.
Miss Edmiston carried her.
self with an air of pretty dignity,
made none the less apparent by the
fact that she was fully two inches
taller than her lover, Rev. John st.
John. He was thin, wiry little man,
dark haired and pale complexioned'
ana was much troubled in his daily
work with a certain uncomfortable
shyness. That he should have won
the heart Of handsome Nancy Edmis-
ton was a matter for surprise and dis
cussion among the residents Of Brox-
bourne.
such a very uninteresting young
man." said the maiden ladies over
their afternoon tea.
80 ridiculously retiring! How did
he ever come to propose?" remarked
the mothers whose daughters assisted
in giving women an overwhelming and
not altogether united majority In Brox-
bourne society.
The men, on the other hand, voted
St. John q good sort, and his parishion-
ers, in their rough way, owned to his
many qualities.
You're q dear little girl, Nancy"
the cufate was stammering, looking
up at his beloved, when they were both
stopped short on the narrow pavement.
A burly workman was engaged In chas-
tising a small boy with weapon In
the shape Of a stout leather belt. The
child screamed, and the father, pre-
sumablv. cursed.
"Stop!" cried the curate.
The angry man merely scowled and
raised the strap for another blow. st.
John laid detaining hand on the fell
fellows arm. the temerity of which
caused the latter such surprise that
ne loosened his grip for the moment,
and the youngster fed, bowling. up
the alley.
What the -" spluttered the bully.
dancing round the curate. who seemed
to shrink nearer his sweetheart.
Let us go, dear" he said. He had
g,cNn white and was trembling.
At this juncture two Of the work.
mans cronies appeared at the door of
the ale house opposite, crossed the
road. and with rough hands and sooth-
ing curses conducted their furious
friend from the scene.
"Horrible!" sighed the curate, as the
lovers continued their walk.
Miss Edmiston's head was held a
trifie higher.
If l were a man." she said, II would
have thrashed him-I would, indeed"
You think should have punished j
him, them" said the curate mildly;
''he was Il much larger man than I,
YOU know"
Nancy was silent. She was. vaguely
but sorely disappointed in her lover.
He was not exactly the hero she had
dreamed Of. How white and shaky he
had turned!
You surely did not expect me to
take part in a street row, Nancy" he
thoughts. He knew her romantic
ideas
But she made no reply.
so lou think acted in cowardly
fashion," he questioned, after a chill
pause.
II don't think your cloth is any ex-
cuse. anyhow" she blurted out sud-
denly and cruelty; the next instant
she was filled with shame ard regret.
Before she could speak again, how
ever, the curate had lifted his hat and
was crossing the street. An icy good =.
bye" was all he had vouchsafed her.
Mr.. st. John was returning from
paying q visit Of coincidence some dis
tance out of the village, and he had
taken the short cut across the moor
1t was clear, summer afternoon, a
week since his parting with Nancy
A parting In earnest 1t had been, for
the days had gone by without meeting
or communication between them. The
curate was a sad young man, though
the anger in his heart still burned
fiercely. To have been called a coward
by the woman he loved was a thins
not likely to be forgotten. His recent
visit. too, had been particularly trying
In his soul he felt that his words Of
comfort had been unreal; that, for ell
he had striven. he had failed in his
mission to the bersaved mother. So
he trudged across the moor with slow
step and bent head, giving no heed to
the summer beauties around him.
He was about half way home when
his sombre meditations were suddenly