Year: 1874




Only a girls likeness thought Miss
Abbcrvill, as she musiugly surveyed the
,icture before her. The face was one of
erene, gentle goodness there was no re-
intelligence cleaning from the
lepths of tho blue eyes no especial
beauty enriched the features. 1t was
imply toe sweet, calm face of happy
,irl, who knew of life only is sunshine
ind its goodness.


Il never look at the face Of my sister
Ethel, said Miss Laurens, without think.
ing of the lesson her life taught-to be-
ieve a man innocent until he has been
proved gnilty.


You look at Ethel's calm face, and you
think that it simply betokens goodness
and gentleness but in it see firmness
and resolution, endurance aud courage
which will brave the fercest opposition
if it stands in the way Of duty.


My father did not approve Of Ethel's
engagement to Henry Ackland, who was
only poor clerk, and the son Of poor
clergyman. However. he consented, for
he knew that Ethel really loved with all
the gentle devotion of her nature.


But when the day before the wedding
was to take place, there came letter to
Laurens Manor, from a gentleman in the
city my father read it with grim salts.
faction, for the intelligence it contained
gave him an excuse for breaking off
match always dstasteful to him.


With the letter in his hand, he entered
the library where Ethel and Henry were
sitting. She sat showing him her bridal
veil and wreath that had just arrived from
the city, and in sportive happiness had
thrown the veil over her head, which sat
like coronal Of beauty on her fair brow


| sat in the balcony, and through the
open window, for it was early summer,
looked into the room.


Into the midst Of that happy scene
stalkcd the tall form Of my father holding
the fearful missive which was intended to
part two loving hearts forever


Read this letter, sir y he said to Hen
ry Ackland, sternly, and after reading it,,
leave my house forever


This abrupt address startled the young
couple, and arrested their playful gaiety.
Henry Ackland took the letter, and
though his color deepeped while reading
it, be betrayed no other emotion.


We'll, sir, what have you to say to the
accusation p said my father Indignantly.


1T is false, sir false as the base heart
that originated it,


That must be proven; with such an
imputaton resting upon you, surely you
cannot expect to marry my daughter.


L am well aware, sir said the young
man, respectfully, that it is difficult to
prove ourselves innocent in the eyes OF
those who are determined to think us
guilty


Very we'll said my father, interrupt
ing him, impatiently, prove yourself in.
nocent, that is all that is required of you
This letter says that you have stolen a
large amount from your employers; and
you will not think me unreasonable in
not wishing to see my daughter the wife
OF thief


Thief" How that word aroused the
indignation Of Ethel. | see her now as
she sprung from the chair in which she
was sitting, and placed herself beside heI
betrothed, as if to shield him from sucl
accusations.


Thief she said who dares to cal
him thief. Let them prove it if they
can. The whole world may deem hin
guilty | know him better than the world
and believe him innocent


Her eyes flashed and her whole man
ner evinced how deeply her gentle nature
had been moved.


Nonsense = said my father 'Wha
proof have you of his innocence .


i have that within she said laying
her hand on her heart, which tells INT
he has done no wrong. | would stake
my life on his innocence


Women are very silly when they love,
said my father; even proof proves moth
ing to them.


Il am innocent, Ethel-I am limo
cent = protested Henry Ackland in
tremulous voice, touched to the heart b,
her eloquent defense.


DO not know it?. she replied earn
estly.


Then you will not iorsakc me? h
asked eagerly.


Faithful unto death was her onl
answer, as the tears rushed to her eye
and fell in great drops on her hand ,whic
was clasping his.


This is a very unpleasant affair, sal
my father. Il cannot allow my daughte
to marry you. You had better return
the city at once, and consider your maj
riage engagement at an end


Your employer writes me that he hd
missed large sum, and suspicion hi
fallen ou you | AM sorry for yo'
young man but you have blasted yor
own life You will please leave my hou'
at your earliest convenience


Il will leave it with him, father, sal
Ethel, calmly. Tomorrow was to ha,
been my wedding day, and shall be still


My father looked at her sternly.-
There was resolution depicted on h
face, and he knew that she would do
she said,


Once 20 from under my roof with tn
young man, replied my father, and yc
never again cross the threshold Of IL
door. Heaven help you if you have
little respect that you are willing to
the wife-to bear the name Of thief


Did | think him thief she repli
proudly, his wife | could never be ; b
lieving him to be innocent, | shall rema


true until DEATH


My father rose abruptly, slamming I


door as he departed. | heard low SC
but it did not come from Ethel ; ii pr