SAD CONSEQUENCES OF A KISS OF PEACE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3715, 12 June 1883, Page 4

SAD CONSEQUENCES OF A KISS OF PEACE.

A correspondent informs The Times of a romantic incident Avhich lias recently occurred in a prosperous Loudon suburb. A devoted young High Church curate of iutoivsling appearance and great popularity in his district was wailed upon by a young 1 lady of considerable atfractioiis, lint Avitli an air of dee)) melancholy, and clad in a •somewhat .esthetic garb. After sonic confusion and tho shedding of a tear she revealed to him that she had ventured to visit him on a matter deeply affecting her happiness, •she feared her life. The. curate naturally asked what it might be, but she informed him that the mutter, was one of such deep imporlaneo that she could not impart it except at her own abode, where she adjured him as her spiritual friend, by all he held sacred, to visit her. After some little conA'er.sifion (he reverend gentleman promised to do so, and tin,' next, day he called at the address given him. Then the young lady Avith a look of still deeper dejection and a voice indicalive o!' remorse aud shame, revealed to him the fatal secret. Sin: had conceived a deep passionate love for the curate himself. She knew, she said, flint her passion Avas hopeless ; he, in his devotion to the Church, for which she loved him all the more, had A'owed himself to a life of celibacy, and she would resignedly carry his attachment to (he grave, which she knew Avas not far off. But there Avas one kindness Avhich it was in his power to grant her, Hie remembrance of which Avould bring consolation to his dark and weary path. Would he, before they parted for ever, give her one kiss? After some timidity and agitation the young 1 curate, touched Avith pity, complied. The la.dy shed another tear, bade him adieu in a hollow voice, and lie departed. A few days afterwards he received a neat little parcel gracefully tied with a piece of blue ribbon, and on opening it found an instantaneous photograph (cabinet si/c) of himself kissing the young lady. Accompanying this was a communication from the fair eraituru herself that there were eleven more copies, and that he might have the whole dozen at £20 a-piecc. Should he not be in Avaut of them, it Avas her intention to dispose of them in another quarter. Negotiations on the subject are said to be proceeding.—Times.