The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22

"Molie, want you to forgive me-" he whispered. II
deceived but turned leaf that night.
have kept my promise
"eYs," she answered. you have done that
II not such scoundre of the papers tried
to make me out, Molie. got in with bad companions
and the drink did the rest
"And you knew that Lester Fenton scoundrel"'
"a thoro scoundrel!"
How could you become engaged to him? Why
had just began to find it out" he answered. Il
should have told you''
Had you told this terrible thing would
have happened
Don't that Molie'
ut is true. There must be deceit between for
the future The last few days have turned me from
trusting girl into a hard woman
BE gentle with me- Mollie. I going to keep
straight. the future to atone for my
you must help me. Without cannot do it. We
enough to live quietly upon, and will
from here into the country somewhere where
not known, and lead a new life
1t characteristic of him that he considered
his daughter in the matter never gave thought to
the loneliness which must of necessity be hers.
Mr.. Tempeton, however kept his promise. He drank
nothing. hardly left the little cottage and its
which he took in the country The neighbors consd-
cred eccentric, wondered what history be-
hind him. Those who had been chiefly to do with the
little country parish knew that for his
MEANS he literally that the troubles of those about
of keen interest to him. and that he was man
of ready sympathy During FIVE years the neghbors saw
no change in him. He constantly in his garden
working and hal a
whittier that could hardly be considered change He
a young when he amongst them But Mol
lie knew there change in him. There were times
e terribly restless, when he could talk OF
nothing past doubted whether he had
made aonemen for the sins he had committed in
it. And this mood invariably followed by of
intense depression when would often sob like child.
Molle comforted him best she could, talking to him
like mother to her child than daughter to her
father STILL time brought these moods more frequently
and each one left him a little feeber.
Mollie had lit the lamp evening and drawn the
curtains It late autumn and altho not really cold
fire burning Her father had not been outside tho
door Tor Week ana ne looked very phcheu as ne st
close to the HEARTH leaning forward in his chair his hands
day.
That's better" Mollie said, settling to her work.
Shutting daylight in the evening begins to be
eyes," he answered, and then fell musing
Presently he reused himself
EYES, father
1T want you to ask the vicar to look in and see me
to-morr 1 want to talk to him and to you
"Is anything the matter?' she asked
Nothing my DEAR" he answered. 1.-The first
touch of winter is call to me-
fancful tonight
He stretched out his hand to her.
20 kept my PROMISE" he said. Think of that,
Mole and remember it afterwards.
yes father, and Il
'Well talk of tomorrow You will not forget to
ask vicar to come in
1t must sometimes there comes warning
70 man wbisner from the unseen world bidding him
make ready be that to those who have most to
their departure with increased force
The new day found Mr.. Templeton the very
the future and Mole went for the vicar in
haste.
Mr. Templeton propped up with pillows in his
bed Beside him small table upon which were some
closely written paper, and and ink Molie
had placed them at his request
shook his head.
.Vicar you to sign this paper, and wit
ness my signature. No, it is not will. It is con-
fession. See sign it, and then will tell what is
it,
He wrote his signature firmly than the vicar had
supposed him capable of doing and was anxious until It
had been witnessed.
should get better, must this against me, "
he said; "but not think likely to get better.
If did perhaps should still be too much of coward
speak truth Moie must tell the vicar all he
does not Perhaps will read it together
presently,
Mollie sat on the edge of the took the thin
hand in hers.
ut was who killed Lester Fenton."
S"Father!"s
night when I home to and made my
promise, just found
We quarrelled that afternoonndeed, we had
relied good deal about that time, chiefly over money
matters in which swindling I not ex-
cusing myself. not sober and was badly in need