Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14
Bv H. ADDINGTON BRUCE


1t stood in a crowded quarter of the
city, and the gentry content leave to the
small tradesfolk and humble working people who
made up its parish. Now and again stray anti
quarian paid it a fleeing visit; but, speaking
generally, the coming of stranger was so rare
to be accounted event.
1t is easy then to understand the sensation
stoned by the appearance at prayers one morning,
in the year of grace $50, of young and we'll dressed
couple whose natural habitat obviously in quite
other surroundings. As they waited in the aisle
the TALL erect, and easy of bearing, the woman
fair and graceful-there was an instant cranlng of
necks and vast nudging of one S neighbour and long
after they had seated themselves a subdued whs-
perng bore further if unnecessary testimony to the
curiosity they had aroused.
Probably no one felt lively interest than
did the parish clerk, who, in showing them to pew,
had noted the tenderness with which they regarded
each other 1t needed nothing to persuade
him that they were clipping lovers, and that snug
gratuity as good as in his pocket. All through
the service he fdgeted impatently in the shadows
the door, and, as soon as the congregation was
dismissed and he perceived that the visitors were
lingering in their places, he hurried forward and ac
costed them. His name, he voubly explained was
Parsons; he was officiating clerk of the parish; like
wise master in the charity school nearby No doubt
they would like to inspect the church. perhaps to
visit the school, it might even be they DESTROYS
of meeting the pastor? He would be delighted if he
could serve them in any way.
Possibly you can said the man. for you doubt
less know the neighborhood like book: Ny name
is Knight, and this lady is my wife; We He
stopped short at sight Of the changed expression
the others face, and bruskly demanded, How now,
man. What are you gaping att"
No ofense sir no offense stammeTed dd the dis
pardon, Sir and madam
Hunting for Lodgings
THERE was an awkward pause before the man
began again. LAS was saying. my name is
Knight, and this lady is my wife. We have only
recently come to London and are IN search of 1odg-
ings II YOU know of any good place to which you can
recommend us, we shall be heartily obliged to YOU
Whatever he was, Clerk Parsons not fool,
IL, ~
was face to face with mystery. Elopers no, such
we'll born couple would not from choice bury them
selves in this forbdding section of London. With
cunning fostered by long years of precarious lvel
hood, he at resolved profit if he could from
their need
Il fear sir" said he, that know of no lodgings
that would be at all suitable for you. We poor
folk all of US, and -"
III you are honest folk" interrupted the woman,
with enchanting smile we ask no MORE
Her husband checked her with gesture and
look that lost upon the all observing clerk,
though it was long before he understood its sig
nifcance We are willing to pay. reasonable
sitting room. If possible, we should prefer to be
where there no other dodgers"
In that case, responded the clerk with eager
ness he could scarcely veil, i accommodate YOU
in my own house 1t is simple but commodious
and | answer that my wife will deal fairly by
YOU"
What think you, Fanny" asked the man, turn
ing to his wife;
We at least go and see.
This they Immediately did, and to Clerk Parsons's
Joy decided to make their home with him. Nor did
their coming gladden. the clerk alone. His wife and
children two little girls of nine and ten from the
moment they saw the beautiful lady, conceived
warm attachment for her Her genality, her kindli-
her manifest love for her husband appealed
their sympat HES, did the sadness which from time
to time clouded her face If, like Parsons himself,
they soon became convinced that she and her hus-
band shared some momentous secret, they could
bring themselves believe that it involved her
in wrong doing. For the husband too they enter
trlendlleSt feelings a blunt