A. BASHFUL CLERGYMAN CAUGHT.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4503, 11 June 1883, Page 2

A. BASHFUL CLERGYMAN CAUGHT.

A correspondent informs' the Times of a romantic incident which has recently occurred in a prosperous London suburb. A devoted young high church cnrate of interesting appearance and great popularity in his district, was waited upon by a young lady of considerable attractions, bnt with an air of deep melancholy, and clad in a somewhat ascetic garb. After some confusiou and the shedding of a teir she reveaifd to him thit she.had ventured to vi^sit him on a matter deeply affecting her happiness, she feared her life. The curate naturally asked what it might be, but after sereral attempts to speak, choked by 9obs, I'le informed him that the matter was onft of such deep importance that she could not impart it except at her own abode,: when she adjured him as her spirital friend, by all he held sacrcrl. to visit her. After some little conversation, the reverend fgentleroau promised to do so, and the next day he called at the address given him. Then the young lady, with a look, of still deeper dejection, and a voice of remorse and shame, revealed to him the fatal secret. She bad conceived, a deep passionate love for the curate h?m~ self. She know, she said, thai her pas* sion was hopeless; he. in his devotion to the Church,, for wbioh she lovd him all the more; had vowed himself to a life of celibacy, and she would resignedly carry her attachment to the grave, which she felt was not fa*off. But; there was one kindness which it waa in his power to grant her, the remembrance of which *ould bring consola'ion to her dark an^ weary path. Would he, before they parted for ever, gi»e hep one kisg? Afrer some timHitr au'i agitation, the young curate, tojoh^d with pity, complied. The lady shed another tear, bade him adieu in; a hollow voice, ani he dspirted. A few days afterwards he received » peat little pircel gracefully tied with a piece of blue ribbon, aod. on opening it, found a a instantaneous photograph (cabinet size) of himself kinging the young lady. Acconv panying this was a communication from the fair creature herself that there were eleven more copies, and that h.9 might have tha whole dozen at £20 a piece. Should he not be in want of thenoi,it was her intention to dispose of them in another quarter. Negotiations on tha subject are said to be proceeding.