LILTERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2490, 30 March 1882, Page 4

LILTERATURE.

THE KNAVE TJNMABKED. The Kev. Philip Worthiman, M.A., of Oxon, was in love. How it begun was in this wise. Just oppoeite the pulpit in the middle aisle, on the right hand Bide an you entered, was the family pew of Samuel Blandford, Esq , and at the corner of the pew, next the door, sat Ellen Blandford, with her tender eyes attentively fixed on the young and handsome preacher. Mr Worthi man observed her ; he was pleased with hor constant attendance, her patient attention, heJ approbation and sympathy fha seemed to iDs'olre him with freah ardour each Sabbath ;' for when anything occurred to pre vent her attendance in the morning or afternoon service, there seemed something gone from hio heart, and be was less eloquent than] usual. Mr Wen h man felt that this was wrong; and it was iu analysing his feelings tha*; he made the discovery that he wa3 in love! Then, forming a more intimate acquaintance with the Blandford*, and reading Ellen's heart through the pure transparency of her conversation, Mr Wortrbiman loved her more deeply than before, and to his alarm he found that his heart was irretrievably hers. Some persons may blame the olergyman for falliDg in love from the pulpit. Let them reflect that th-i best clergymen are human. Others, more charitable, may only be surprised that he, being a single man, and Ellen, a worthy gtrl, did not propose to marry her at once. Let me exp'ain Mr Worthiman bad not foolishly never to marry, but he had long since made u» his mind to select for his wife sime poor girl, who had Bribing but ■- wade heart to bring hot* husband. A minister, he thought, of all men should avoid the imputation of marrying for any worldly advantage, and when he was ■told that by the death of a rich uncle, whose favorite she was, J-'l!enhad come into a fortune of five thousand poundß, he said to himself—'She can never he my wife!' So two years passed, and he still preached from his pulpit to the fair maiden, who listened with melting upturned eyes, and who never suspected his secret love But an unexpected occurrence troubled the serenity of the young clergyman's heart. A stranger, named Brittoi, took up his residence In Sprinley. and became a constant attendant at church. He was for a long time a subject of much go sipiog conversation, and everybody ap pearel to like him except the clergym»n. And the clergyman might be prejudiced ; for anybody mignt see that tho strang?r was very attentive to Eden Blandford, and that she seemed pleased with his addresses. He and the clergyman had met on several occasions, and the latter, whose perception of human character was certainly keen, beoatr e more firmly impressed, at eaco meeting, with the conviction that Mr Britton waß unworthy of Ellen. Ye 6 ho aooused himself of selfishness, and endeavored to th'nk better of his rival. It was to no purpose j and now, seeing Ellen's happiness at stake, he was plunged inte despair. It wai very natu.sl, then, that the clergyman should regret hla resolution not to marry Ellen because she happened to possess five thousand pounds, and that he Bhould think Beriously of retrieving his error. 'I may yet obtain her hand,' said he to himself, * for she cannot love him.' It was one evening in the month of June —a warm soft, quiet evening, and the dim twilight flung its sweet, melancholy influence over the young preacher's heart. He took hia hat, and sauntered slowly in the direction of Mr Blandford's houße. He passed the garden, and through the luxuriant branoh.es of the trees which fringed the road floated sounds of human voicas, and fell gently upon his ear. Gentle and low were the words that were spoken, but tbey seat a sharp pang icti the clergyman's heart, for he recognised the flute like tones of Hllen, who was not alone. The other voice was Britton'a. He turned hastily away; but inadvertently he had heard enough—this man was b. eking the hand of Ellen—and Bilen had bestowed it on him ! On the following morning Mr Worthiman was paler th*n usual, and there wss a sadness in hia smile which his friend oould not understand. That day's meditation was father to his discourse the next Sabbath, which bad for its subject ''Resignation," and which wss so full of the touching eloquence for which he was distinguished—so warm In the outpourings of a suffering but patient spirit, that the tender, upturned eyes of Ellen Blandford were dim with glistening tear", and when, at the close of his sermon, ho said, in a deep, agitated tone, ' Let rorrowing souls pray God for resignation,' and lifted up his voice in earnest praver, the sympathising girl bowed down her f ace and sobbed.

Some three months after Mr Worthiman was sitting in his study when a visitor was announced. It was Mr John Britton.

'I have come to engage your cervices, said he, smiling.

The preacher turned pale. • Our marriage,' he oontinued—' I mean that of dear Ellen and myself—is fixed for Thursday week, and you will place us both under obligation if you can make it convenient to attend that day.' 'So soon ? ' murmured Mr Woithiman, making a mighty effort to be calm. • Why, since the marriage contraot Is made, the sooner it is fulfilled the be'.ter, I think, replied Mr Britton. 'Perhaps so,'said Mr Worthiman, thoughtfully ; ' but,' be added, fixing his searching eyes on Brit ton's face, 'Miss Ellen has known you only a few months. Mr Britton changed color, and appeared ill at ease, as he replied, with a feeble attempt at humor — 'I take advantage of that; for you know ahe might grow weary of me if our marriage was delayed too long.' After the aspiring bridegroom had gone, the youDg olergyman was plunged in deep thought. He paced his room nervously ; then, to cool his fevered brow, sought tb e open air. Long and painful was the struggle in his heart. At length he exclaimed fervently—' I will forget self. I will do my duty. I will be strong. Shall my voice betray emotion when I pronounce the fatal words whloh shall make her his wife P ' But Mr Worthiman was troubled with anxiety. He suspected the man's sincerity, and communicated It to Mr Blandford.

1 Why, to be sure,' said Mr Blandford, 'lt has never entered my head that there could bo any deception. Mr Brilton certainly appears respectable, and as for his property—' * Tbat ia nothing. But Is he a man of integrity? Is he a man of principle? Wo see nothing In him to raise a doubt touching his moral character, it is true ; but what has been his past career? Po not blame me for the interest I take in your daughter's future happiness,' he added, with feeling; * where the welfare of the youDg and virtuous is at stake, we cannot be too cautious.'

Mr Blandford was plunged in [thought. He was not convinced that he had anything to fear ; but the reflection that there was a possibility of deception, startled his naturally peaceful mind. Thanking Mr Worthiman for his suggestion, he asked his advice with regard to what he ought to (iu. ' If you like,' replied the clergyman, 'you can say to Mr Britton it is for my satisfaction that you propose referring to respectable persons iu my name for testimony concerning his character. Ah, here comes Mr Britton himself, 'it yon would rather, I -will speak to him myself.' ' Do, do,' said Blandford, who shrank from the disagreeable duty. Mr Britton tntared, polite and smiling. Mr Blandford received bim cordially ; the minister was reserved and serious. With all possible delicacy, Mr Worthiman addres>ed Mr Britton on the subject he bad opened to Mr Blandford's consideration.

'Do I understand you V asked Mr Britton, visibly changing countenance ; ' you desire reference for my character ? Ah, certainly —a mere form.' he added, carelessly; 'I wonder I never thought of the thing before.'

Mr Britton took from his pocket a card, on which he wrote several Dames, Thi* he appeared about to give to Mr Blandford, when, seeming to change his mind, he p-o----duced another card, on which he wrote in the same manner, murmuring. ' I think I will write the names more distinctly.' He then handed the card lest written upon to his intended father-in-law, and placed the other in his pocket book. ' Here you have six of the mott respaotable men in the town of W , where I was born and brought up, and where I have lived nearly all my life. You can refer to either, or all of them ' And with an air of indifference, which struck the minister and Mr Blandford differently, he walked out of the room.

' It Is as I expected,' said Mr Blandford ; 'if there had been any thing wrong in the matter he would have been less ready to give ua all those references. It will be a mere farce to make use of them, after all.'

4 But would it not be a aatllf action to recaive from either of thess men assurance of your Bon-in-law's integrity ? I can see nobbing farcical in that.' ' True—true !'

' And besides, what will Mr Britton think now you do not writo ? Will ho not be apt to consider me meanly suspicious, instead of honestly cautious ?' ' You have deceived me, said Mr Blandford ; ' I will write to Sir J. F. Stone today.' As Mr Worthiman left the houao, he saw El:en and her lover standing together under the porch. Ee spoke to them and passed on, observing as hs did so, that a slight blush suffused Kllen's eheefcs, and that 8.-lttoa regarded him with a triumphant smile. Almost any other man would have entertained a doubt touching the character of Mr Blandford's son-in-law, after witnessing the apparently frank manner in which he offered to refer for testimony in his favor to the principal men in the town where he was brought up. Yet the young olergyman was not satiefied, The happiness cf her he loved wbb at etako, and he oould not see her married to one of whose honor and integrity he bad no certain proof. He returned home full of perplexity and distracting doubts. Three days after Mr Blandford and the minister met again. The former produced a letter with an air of satisfaction. It was from W , and signed by J. F. Stone. Bart. Wortbimau read it. Bis band trembled, and the color left his cheek. ' You are satisfied now, I trust ? ' ' This gentleman certainly speaks in the highest terms of Mr Britton,' replied the minister ; * certainly, one could expect no stronger commendation.' (To be continued.}