Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-27
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clerk saw There is the bishops Office Miss Sylvester.
I've no doubt he will be glad to see you.
There was no other exit from the the
door leading into the bedroom. AS Miss Sylvester
approached the parlor door l motioned to MIR. Mon
tague, who Immediately went IN to the bedroom and
1t was the woman's side of the situation Mr.
Montague loved her and she returned his Affection
but she had refused to become his wife. She had
even prevented him from declaring himself far
in her power because-ah here was the reasonI
The story sad but not an unusual one.
"She had lived in St. Louis, the only daughter of
two worthy parents who had stnted themselves to
give her an education She had fallen in love with a
man, whose character and reputation did commend
themselves to the Judgment OF those older than she,
who loved her. and in defiance of parental opposition,
she had made runaway marriage. 1t not long
before life became uncomfortable; she was yoked with
utterly unworthy, and, the glamour passing from
her eyes, she nothing but misery ahead. OF
course, the parting came; the old people had died,
was absolutely alone.
Chance, make long story short, threw her into
the company Of the good people with whom she was
acting. She had pretty little turn for eocution, and
she had supported herself wretchedy and meagery
enough, under her assumed name for the past two
years, by acting She had struggled against her af
lection for Mr. Montague. She considered herself
fit wife for him any man, but my sermon had
put a new idea in her mind. Might there not be for
giVeness for such she? God would forgive her.
Would man In the play he would not Which
true and which false? Love divine could make
excuse, would love human?
You saw me act tonight bishop. I never played
like that before myself that stage, confess
ing and pleading for forgiveness-wlich he would not
My child I said it seems to me that while you
have done grleyously wrong in running away from
home and wifu1ly disregarding the appeals and
mands of those who loved you, and whose judgment
you bound to respect and have broken the Com.
mandment that says, Honor thy father and MOTHER
yet you have been sinned against than SHINING.
see nothing, since you are SO repentant, which
would prevent you from being the wife of any honest
man who loved you if you loved him. The man you
married where is hep
dead, she flashed out through her tears.
Go to Mr. Montague I replied promptly, tell him
the whole truth and let him decide
AZ cantP she walled He respects me now. He
loves me- I'm afraid to put him to the touch Pm
afraid to confess and let him decide. 'Twould kill
to lose that affection: Indeed, | could not bear to
have him fall below the standard have set for him
in my heart, and if he doesn't forgive, he
to love me, l shall die I've lost faith once in hui
it again l shall lose faith in God
There was much that was true in her words,
thought said the bishop DEPRESSING for the moment,
for faith in God depends upon faith in man
TO greater extent than we dream of.
You need not confess anything at that moment
exclaimed Mr. Montague, who had opened the door
WhatP cried the girl, springing to her feet in
81 did everything
"'And you, sirP turning fercely on me, were you
party to this deception? Did you allow me to tell
you the most secret thoughts of my heart in confess
sion with that door open so that he, OF all men, could
"'The bishop is entirely innocent" returned Mon
tague promptly stepping nearer to her. He
close the door, / opened it again my own account.
You neither of you looking that way and neither
of you noticed. 1t wasn't the right thing to do I'll
admit, but love you, and love you than
l intended tonight after what | had said to
the bishop, and what he preached about forgiveness
to u.s. and the play you know, to have told you not
to confess anything to me, for there nothing 1
could not and would not forgive, if you loved
and were free to marry me. l sorry didn't say
it before heard you say that you had suffered so
severely, and how you had been wronged Now it is
| who should plead forgiveness, for having doubted
for Gin nly
me. | love you more and more, and if you give me
chance to lead you back to happiness and restore
your lost faith in humanity will undertake the task
so gladly that will bless you forever for the OPP
PoTtl Hng ,o, n,;u +.,. ~. am. 81. cried .vo,
will forgive and love me in spite Of
In spite of, nay, because OF, everything, he cried.
"They had entirely forgotten me-" laughed the
bishop land it was almost like a scene from the play
we had lust witnessed. Perhaps because they were
players there little touch of the theatrical about
them, for he lnelt at her feet cutching fold of her
dress he pleaded with her When she yielded to
his opportunities, what woman could have resisted.
she put both hands upon his shoulders and bent and
kissed him.
ct is L. she said who should kneel at your feet
not you at mine.
Then I coughed violently to remind them that I
was there. Hand in hand they to me.
"Oh, bishop cried the girl, I'm so glad you
You have been to us like angel from Heaven.
"My services not ended trust | suggested:
No. said the young promptly. When shall
it be? he continued, turning to the girl.
Whenever you like she answered frankly, there
IS no one 10 consult ana notnlng 10 you are
sure
"Tm very sure
"'Then let it be
"This evenings? he cried impulsively
"No' she answered smiling, and her face was
fairly transformed by the happiness of the situa-
ton Let it be tomorrow in the church where the
bishop taught that forgiveness the first lesson
of the Christian life
"'Wil you be ready to oficiate, sirF asked Mr..
Montague turning to
"'With the greatest pleasure l replied there being
obstacle to prevent, I learned by questioning
them.
so on the -~xt morning Mr. Victor Montague and
Miss Carotta Sylvester disappeared forever from pub
lie view while | united them in the holy bonds of
matrimony under their proper names of Mary Bates
ard Henry Pearce
fArapahoe' shouted the conductor, thrusting mis-
head in the doorway, the train bumped together
and slowed down by the station platform "All out
for Arapahoe"