A CURATE'S ADVENTURE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1045, 11 June 1883, Page 2

A CURATE'S ADVENTURE.

A New "Way' of Levying b;> 0 '■l q Black Mail. U[. -n T a The Tinies publtshesthe following story : A correspondent informs us of a romantic incident which has recently in a prosperous London suburb. A. devoted, young High Church curate of interesting‘appearance and great popularity -in his district, was waited upon by a young lady of considerable attractions, but with an air of deep, melancholy, and clad in somewhat -ascetic garb. After some confusion; ! and the shedding pf a tear, she revealed to-him that she had J Ventured to visit hitn onh matter deeply affecting her happiness, she feared her life. The curate naturally asked what it might be, but after several attempts to = chokedqby sobs, she informed him that the matter, was one of such deep importance that she could not impart it except at her own abode, where she adjured him, as her spiritual friettd,By AlI He Held SacxredL to visit her. After some.-little- conversation the reverend gentleman promised to do so and the next day he called at the address given him. Then' the young lady,, with a look of stil deeper dejection and a voice indicative of remorse and shame, revealed to; him, the fatal secret. She had conceiyed a deep, a passionate love for the curate himself. She knew., she said, that her passion., was hopeless;. he,ih his demotion to the ChuicH, for which ; she loved him 5 all. the more, had vowedhimsetf to a life of celibacy, and she would resignedly carry her attach'mefit to tEe grave/which, she felt washotfar off. . But. there was one kindness which it ; was in his power to, grant her, the remem--brance. of which would bring consolation" to her dark and weary path. Would he, before / they parted, for ever, , . , f , : . Gire h© r one kiss*?'!- i After some h timidity - and agitation,-,-the young curate, touched'with pity, complied, The, lady. shed, another tear,Jbade him adieu in a hollow voice, and he departed. A few days afterwards he received- a .neat little parcel gratefully tied with ,a piece of blue ribbon, and on opening it found, an iristai — gf r taneous photograph (cabinet size) of hhfiself ’ kissing: the young lady. Accompanying this -was a communication from the fair'creature herself that there were eleven more copies, and that he might have the whole .dozen at £2O a-piece. Should.,Jie not;be.in want of them, it was her intension to dispose of them in another, quarter. - Negotiations) pnr the subject" are said -to be-proceeding.