Year: 1876

home in the beautiful village of Mil
ford, about thirty-five miles from Bos-
ton, as she lopged for fresh air and
quiet scenes; and doubtless she would
have found all the happiness that she
sought. in this retreat, had not the
place been haunted by that terrible
spectre-ScdnddL.


"Have you seen the new arrival ?"
said Mrs. Graves to her neighbor, Mrs
Wood, a few days after the stranger
took possession of Fern Dell, as the
little place she had purchased was now
called.


A curl of the lip and shrug of the
shoulders was all the reply made by
Mrs. Wood; but in the gestures Mrs.
Graves saw, or supposed she saw,
sufficient reason for stunning the ac-
quaintance of the stranger.


Mrs. Graves, who was very jealous
and suspicious, translated the sign
language in her own way.


AZ have no doubt" she said to her
husband, "that she has had bad repu-
tation in the city. She has come here
dressed in deep mourning, but who
knows whether she ever had husband
or not? And, if she had, her wearing
black is no sign he's dead, in my
opinion"


The next day quite a crowd had gath
cred in the store of Mr.. Graves, waiting
for the mail, which was due about this
hour.


The stranger came in to make some
tritiing purchases, and was stared at by
the people, as strangers always are in
small villages. After she left the store
some remarks were made about her
ladylike appearance.


"Yes, she appears enough like a
lady," said Mr.. Graves; "but my wife
thinks her reputation is not of the best.n


Customers entering, nothing more
was said at that time, but the fire of the
scandal was kindled, the story spread
rapidly, each one telling it their own
way, until there was not a person in
the village but had heard the rumor
and believed it to be true.


Days and weeks passed away, and
the inmate of Fern Dell felt that, for
some reason, she was looked upon with
suspicion and dislike. There was no
hospitality, nothing said or done for
which she could demand an expla-
nation.


Every day seemed to increase the
avoidance of her neighbOrs; and she,
noticing this, ceased making overtures
toward an acquaintance with them,
sending to the city for her household
supplies, and never coming in contact
with any save at church, and even here
she generally found a whole pew at her
disposal.


At last the storm that had so long OBJ
scured the village horizon seemed about
to burst over her head. There were
low threats made of driving her from
the place, and the mob spirit seemed to
| be gathering strength.


About six months after the stranger
took possession of the cottage, a very
handsome carriage, drawn by span Of
| splendid black horses, stopped in front
of her dwelling, and fine looking man
about sixty years of age, with his wife
and two daughters, were seen to alight
and enter the house. All the day, and
! through the long evening there was
heard the sound of many voices,
mingled with the ripping laughter of
| joyous hearts.


The next day was Sunday, but this
| time the stranger did not sit alone.
| Strange looks and low, murmured
words ran through the congregation,
and the minister seemed to share the
surprise of the audience, and looked
and preached as though under painful
embarrassment. He recognized in the
stranger clergyman whose reputation
was world -wide-none other than the
distinguished President of the college
| from which he had graduated.


The President remembered his former
pupil, but it must be confessed that he
was both surprised and disappointed.
He had given the young man credit for
individual talent, but the sermon was a
mere repetition of poor platitudes, and a
trucking to produce public opinion,
which showed a weak and little mind.


After the service was over the Presi-
dent waited moment until the young
minister came forward, and when the
greetings were over he said, kindly:


"My sister wrote me that Robert
Martin was preaching here, but L did
not connect the name with the memory
of my former pupil"


"Your sister ?'' said the embarrassed
young man. "You do not mean to say
that the woman with whom you en-
tered church is your sister ?"


"And why not ?u 1t was now the
Presidents turn to look astonished.


Sure enough, why not? What did
he know against the woman whom all
had been speaking evil for the last half
year?


'"There is something about this matter
that | cannot understand" said the
President. "You do not mean to say
that my sister has been a resident OF
this village, and listened to your
preaching for six months, without your
calling upon her? The duties of q
minister are surely better defined"


"But did not dare ~ and the pool
man stammered and stopped.


"Did not dare to call on my sister
the widow of Col. Kimball ?" and the
tinge of contempt was mingled with g
look of surprise and indignation, as he
contemplated the abashed and crest
fallen young preacher.


After reaching his sisters residence
he questioned her in regard to the mat.
ter; but she could only tell him that
since her residence in the place, she
had been "let alone" in the fullest ac'
ceptance of the term.


Determined to understand the why
and wherefore of such proceeding, he
again demanded an explanation of the
young parson, who was finally compelled
to admit that he had supposed, from the
gossip of the church members, that the
woman was very outcast from society
and that there had been talk of driving
her from the place.


"She will not care to remain" sale
the President; "but before she goes
will sift this matter thoroughly" anC
so he did, gathering up, link by link
the whole sham of scandal, until hC
came to Mrs. Wood. But this she ut