The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-08-31

I'LL LEI LIN IL LAoI 0Iil4 EAClAIMA.L)
fonder of inquring about the letter than
of making metaphors and smiles for his
discOurses for the Sabbath day The poi
son of the temptation entered his blood
and grew with insidious rapidity. He did
not realize it until fortnight after the
holdup in the woods.
Then like flash of inspiration it dawn
ed upon his mind. He was seeking Gym
thia's society not for the sake of the let
ter, but for the pleasure of her company.
He had been deceiving himself all these
days weaving a web of delusiOn around
his life that was as dangerous as the
"ptaton Of the drunkard. He was
dI-. drunk with the wine OF love
He 5. iced in spirit and beat himself
with mental castigation. He was worse
than the hypocrite who deceived the
world, but was honest to himself. Not in
all his days had he yielded to such sin
and fallen to such depths, and when he
gazed up at the heavens again he had a
new light of determination in his eyes.
His hands were clinched 1t was the
beatific expression of the reformer which
shone on his face. He would pay the
penalty of his sin in sorrow and pain.
This shall be my last visit" he muir
INJURED Il shall return to my duties and
forget that l have drunk so heavily and
deeply at the fountain of love. Oh, man.
weak, weak man.
When he reached the porch of his be-
loveds home he was a sad and quieter
man, with thoughts on things spiritual
rather than material No words about
the letter escaped his lips His walk and
smile were sedately solemn
But there was no reciprocating mood to
greet him. Cynthia Trimble was alive
with happiness and coy delight. She
held aloft letter. Its Wilderness was not
more snowlke in its purity than her
hand.
THE letter at lastH she exclaimed.
''Why do you not ask for it? Sect"
The Rev. Sextus Worterly turned pale.
and his jaw dropped with an ominous
click; his hands clutched his side.
Did you think it would never Gomez"
she asked lingering it lovingly But the
writing is-well, 1 would hardly know
that it was'-
She looked up, for the groan was the
groan of one in distress.
My sins have found me outbound me
OUT"
was there anything in the letter that
that you regret saying?" she asked softly
He looked at her. Her face was deli
cately tinged with red. The eyes were
shining brightly. One shaft from them
unnerVed him He forgot his resolutions,
his temptation, his sin
No; nothing that l regret 1t was all
true"
Then as she picked absentmindedIy at
the letter he added:
THE letter! Now that it has como give
it to me-"
She shrank back shudderngly and re-
pied: No; it is mine. l must keep it.
II shall always treasure it."
The Reverend Sextus gazed muteIy at
her his mind aflame with love.
And you are not offended" he said
slowly.
She answered with restraint. but with
eyes fun bent upon him:
mo, no. Why should 1 be offended"
'Then"-and the words came slowly
then my sin is not-not sin. l feared it
would offend you. But if it has not nv
love must find some response in YOU,
Cynthia. The letter has not been without
avail"
a few minutes later he touched her
hand and said:
But the letter, Cynthia. You will givc
it to me now"
mo, no; never!" she protested 1T is
mine, mine always. 1 cannot give it up"
LAS you say, dear" he responded
while the pride OF a newborn idea entered
ais bosom 1t was sweet to have another
herish his composition.
And you will call me Reverend Sextus
no, SeNluS-Slfnply SeXtuS!' he added.
Yes, SeXtus-SeXtus dear" she made
answer as she tried to conceal the letter
in the folds of her dress.
But the letter! 1t was not given to
him. When the Reverend Sextus left
Cynthia gazed at the Elusive epistle, with
its faded chirography, and unused softly:
he didn't know the difference, and
what's the harm? 1 thought as much.
And Il was n proposal, after all I Won
fer what he said"
And she sighed for the impossible, for
his letter had not been delivered.