Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-26

Which was true and which was falsef
Love divine could make excuse would
love human?
You saw me act tonight, bishop. I
never played like that before. I was my
self on that stage. confessing and plead
ing for forgiveness-which he would not
grant
My child | said, 1T seems to me that
while you have done srievously wrong in
running away from home and willfully
disregardng the appeals and commands
of those who loved you, and whose judy
ment you were bound TO respect. and have
broken the commandment that says.
Honor thy father and mother" yet YOU
have been more. sinned against than sim
ming. l see nothing, since you are so re-
pentant. 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 he?'
Dead she flashed out through her
tears
Go to Mr. Montague replied
promptly tell him the whole truth and
let him decide
g L can't" she walled. He respects me
now. He loves me. I'm afraid to put
him to the touch. I'm afraid to confess
and let him decide. Twould kill me TO
lose that affection. Indeed, l could not
bear to have him fall below the standard
] have set for him in my heart. and II
he doesn't forgive, If he ceases to love me.
] shall die. I've lost faith once in human
ity and have only slowly recovered it,
If | lose it again l shall lose faith in
God
There was much that was true in her
words / thought" said the bishop. d.
crossing for the moment, for our faith
in God depends upon our faith In man TO
a greater extent than we dream of.
You need not confess anything at
that moment exclaimed Mr.. Montague.
VINO had opened the door and entered the
room.
What: cried the gir:. springing to her
feet in piteous dismay. Were you there?
Did you hear?'
- I did. everything.
And you, sir turning flercely on me.
were you party to this deception? Did
you allow ME to tell you the most secret
thoughts Of my heart in confession with
that door open SO that he. of all men.
could hear?'
~ The bishop is entirely innocent. re-
turned Montague promptly stepping near.
err to her. He saw me close the door. I
opened it again on my own account. You
were 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 more than ever now.
] intended tonight after what I had said
to the bishop, and what he preached about
forgiveness to us, and the play. you know.
to have told you not to confess anything
to me, for there was nothing I could not
and would not forgive, If you loved mo
and were free to marry me. 1 am sorry
] didn't say it before ! heard you say
that you had suffered so severely, and
how You had been wronged. Now 1t is
] who should plead forgiveness. for hav-
ing doubted you for d single moment.
Don't shrink away from me. / love you
more and more, and If you give me a
chance to lead YOU back to happiness and
restore your lost faith in humanity I will
undertake the task so gladly tina. I will
bless you forever for the opportunity.
= And you will take me as I am she
cried. You will forgive me and love
me in spite Of
In spite Of nay, because Of. every
thing. he cried.
They had entirely forgotten me-"
laughed the bishop. ''and it was almost
like a scene from the play We had just
witnessed. Perhaps because they were
players there was a little touch OF the
theatrical about them, for he knelt at her
feet. clutching a fold of her dress as ho
pleaded with her. When she yielded to
his opportunities. as what woman could
have resisted, she put both hands upon
his shoulders and bent and kissed him.
- 1T is l.. she said, who should kneel at
your feet, not you at mine
Then l cou he'd violently to remind
them that l was there. Hand in hand
they came to me.
oh, bishop cried the girl, I'm 50
glad you came. You have been to VI
like an angel from heaven.
My services are not ended ! trust, ]
suggested.
No said the young man promptly.
When shall it be?' he continued. turning
to the girl.
Whenever you like she answered
frankly, there is no one to consult ana
nothing to hinder if you are sure
Il m very sure.
Then let il be-
This evening? he cried inlpulsivey.
No. she answered smiling. and her
face was fairly transformed by the hap
piness OF the new situation. Let 1t be
tomorrow in the church where the bishop
taught us that forgiveness the first
lesson of the Christian life
VIII you be ready to officiate, sir!'
asked Mr.. Montague, turning to me.
with the greatest pleasure ] re-
piled, there being no obstacle to prevent.
as ! learned by questioning them.
so OH the next morning Mr.. Victor
Montague and Miss Carlotta Sylvester
dsa ppeared forever from public view
while ! united them in the holy bonds Of
matrirnony under their proper names OF
Mary Bates and Henry Pearce.
'Arapahoe. shouted the conductor.
thrusting his head in the doorway, as
the train bumped together and slowed
down by the station platform. "All out
for Arapahoe,"