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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Priest's Secret.
The Priest ' s Secret .
BY GEORGE R . SIMS , Author of " Marii June ' s Memoirs" " The Confessions of a Molher-in-Law" § v ., § r . I ff T Avas long past midni g ht , hut still Doctor Hanson and the ( Jj ^ Rev . Jolin Wannop sat by the fire in the beautiful oak ' JO library at Studley Court . The doctor Avas a broad-shouldered , healthy-looking
Yorkshiremau , whose age you Avould have given at forty , hut who Avas really on the Avrong side of fifty . The clergyman Avas mauy years his junior . A tall , thin young man , Avith rounded shoulders , and an awkAvard , nervous style ahout him . You
looked at the Rev . John Wannop s hotly and you thought him a very ordinary person ; you looked up afc his face and instantly you were fascinated . Ifc Avas almost a perfect face , and the dark , dreamy eyes were made all the more beantiful hy the pallor of the delicate skin .
Young ladies who saAv him for the first timo raved about him . His dak eyes and black hair mado him quite a hero . Some of them described his beauty as "Byronic , " others declared that
he looked like a Gieek god . No one in Studley had ever seen Lord Byron , or looked upon a Greek god in the flesh . The Rev . Mr . Wannop ' s female admirers simply used the comparison that came handijs-t fco them .
The male population of Studley wore not quite so enthusiastic . They liked the Rev . John , hut they thought there was something uncanny about him . When he first came among them a young curate of six-and-fcAventy to do tho Avhole of the Avork for a Avealthy vicar , Avho spent the best part of the year travelling
about " for the benefit of his health , they thought ho was disappointed in love , or suffered from some internal complaint . And as time went on and fchey saw more of him , and listened to his sermons , those of them AVIIO troubled about him at all made up their minds thafc he had " done something , " that ho Avas a young man " Avith a past . "
His appointment to the curacy AVUS understood to be due to the influence of Mr . Arkwrig ht , the new owner of Studley Court . The curate and Mr . Arkwright arrived in Studley almost on the same day , and it Avas understood the greatest intimacy existed between them .
Mr . Arkwrig ht was a wealthy merchant , AVIIO had retired from business alter amassing a large fortune . He came to Studley Court with his Avife and a large retinue of servants , Avith carriages and hor . es , and every outward and visible sign of wealth . For twelve mouths previously an army of workmen
had had possession of the old Court , Avlnch had been tenantless for years , and everyone AVIIO SUAV the magnificent improvements felt convinced that it had passed into the hands of a millionaire . There Avas considerable anxiety to see Mr . Arkwri ght when he arrived , but ifc-must be confessed that Studley AVUS a little
disappointed in him . There was nothing grand about him . He Avas a quiet , benevolent-looking old gentleman , with kind blue eyes und beautiful iron-grey hair , and his wife was as simple and unpretending as himself . But that he AVIVS immensel y wealthy thero could be no doubt . His hospitality at Studley
Avas noble ; he AVUS a lavish patron of all the local chanties , and he soon became the good genius of the district , and a man of importance in the country . Ji very body liked him , and adored his Avife . A more
unassuming couple it Avould have been impossible to find . They Avere aUvays accessible to thoir poorer neighbours , and the amount of good which they did in a quiet , unostentatious Avay A \ 'as incalculable .
On great occasions , such as Studley Kaccs , the Agricultural Show , and the Yeomanry Drill , Studley Court AVUS an open house , and tilled with visitors from town . But as a rule the Arkwi * i g lits lived their life veiy quietly , and confined their hospitality to a few local friends , AVIIOSU acquaintance they had made since their arrival at the Court .
Tho Rev . John Wnnnop AVUS a constant visitor . On fine afternoons it AVUS generally leaning on the curate ' s arm that Mi * . ArlvAvri g ht walked about his grounds , and Avhen the ArkAvrig hts drove into Studley toAvn the Kev . Mi * . Wannop very frequently occupied the back seat in the carriage .
Of late Dr . Hanson had been a frequent visitor as well . Mr . Ai-kwri g hfc linil not been very Avell . lie AYJIS troubled AY ith the return of a malady Avhich lie had contracted , it was understood ,
in his early manhood in California . Latterly the doctor had been in dail y attendance , and very soon it was known that Mr . Arkwri g ht was seriously and dangerously ill .
The Priest's Secret.
It AA-as a fever of some kind , it was said , and the poor old gentleman had become delirious , so delirious thafc it Avas necessary for someone to be ahvays Avifch him , and the doctor , the curate and Mrs . Arkwri g ht , the devoted Avife , had been relieving each other day and ni g ht b y the sick man ' s bedside .
Dr . Jones , Dr . Hanson ' s professional rival m Stuoley , shook his head Avhen he heard the details of fche illness .
" I can t make it out , he said , " if all I hear be true , they ought to haA'e a professional nurse—a man in that condition is likely to do himself or others an injury at any time . It can't be a question of expense , and y et there are these tAvo men and tho Avife AV earing themselves out and undertaking duties for
Avhich they are unfitted , rather than have proper attendance . Ifc ' s odd , very odd . I ' m afraid Hanson doesn ' t appreciate the gravity of the caso . " But Dr . Hanson did appreciate the gravity of the case , and that is why he and the curate arc sitting together to-ni ght in the great library at Studley Court .
" I don't know what to do for the best , said the doctor , after he gazed long and anxiously afc the fire , as if for inspiration . " Mrs . Arkrig hfc can't go on much longer . Afc any moment some UBAV case of illness Aiiay call mc away , and you must attend to your duties . "
"I can g ive my nig hts , " replied the curate . " Yes , my dear fellow , that ' s all very Avell , but if you Avatch by our poor friend ' s bedside in the night and Avorkall day you'll SOOIA be Avorn out . "
" AVe can't call anyone else m . You knoAV it ' s impossible . " AVe might get a nurse AVIIO could be trusted . Nurses do have to hear a good deal and , after all , tho secrets of the sick room are sacred . "
" Some secrets , yes ; but not . a secret like this . Sooner than let a stranger hear Avhat that poor felloAv says in his delirium , I Avould g ive up everything and remain by his side . And if AVC y ielded , you know , Dr . Hanson , his Avife would never consent . " " No , poor lady . My God , AA'hat a terrible revelation it must have been to her ; IIOAV bravely she has borne it . "
"Bravely . Yes , " said the curate , rising , and pacing fche room , " it's marvellous . Do you knoAV , Hanson , that Avhen I first became the possessor of the secret of John Arkwri g ht ' s life I thought it Avould have killed mo . " " Killed you , why ?"
" You don't understand Avhat it has been to me . I loved this man , I venerated him . It Avas he AVIIO took me h y tho hand Avhen I Avas left motherless and fatherless , and penniless . Ifc was he who educated me and brought me np , and gave me my chance in life . I felt to him as a sou to a loving father , and
Avhen 1 learned that he AVUS a " Hush ! " exclaimed the doctor , glancing towards the door . He rose and opened it , looked out cautiousl y ' , and listened for a moment . " I thought I heard someone moving about , " he said , as he came back aud sat down by the fire .
There was a moment ' s silence , and then the doctor continued the interrupted conversation . " I can quite sympathise with you my dear follow , " he said . " It must have been a terrible blow . I don't think I ever heard
such a g hastl y stoi * y in niy life . " ' * ' You agree Avith me that it is absolutely necessary to keep silence on the subject . You consider that I have clone right in holding my peace nil these years . "
" Most certainly . I can quite understand that as a clergyman , you may at first have had some samples as to your duty , hut looking nt nil the circumstances I think you are fully justified . " "And yon , IIOAV that you also know the truth , Avill keep silence , ' too . "
"Absolutely . If the circumstances under which the story reached me—from the mouth of a delirious patient—did not justify me , 1 . should only have to think of that brave devoted Avife upstairs and that would decide me . Besides , even presuming that the poor fellow Avc * i * e alone in the Avorld , what good wouhl come of betraying him IIOAV ?"
" None , none , " replied the curate , the tears coming into his eyes . " But 1 sometimes Avish that he himself had had the moral courage to confess the truth—to tell his horrible story and risk eA-erything . " " It Avould have done no good , " said the doctor , " it A \* ould
have ruined a life of great usefulness and I doubt if ever lie could have been put on his trial for tho crime . Ho could ' nt havo been tried here , because this country hns nothing to do -with the matter , and it Avould have been an absurdity for him to go back
to America and g ive himself up there . Had he dono so , I doubt if anything Avould have been believed . It might even charitabl y have been considered an hallucination on his part . " "Yes—yes , he said that himself when AVO talked the matter over . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Priest's Secret.
The Priest ' s Secret .
BY GEORGE R . SIMS , Author of " Marii June ' s Memoirs" " The Confessions of a Molher-in-Law" § v ., § r . I ff T Avas long past midni g ht , hut still Doctor Hanson and the ( Jj ^ Rev . Jolin Wannop sat by the fire in the beautiful oak ' JO library at Studley Court . The doctor Avas a broad-shouldered , healthy-looking
Yorkshiremau , whose age you Avould have given at forty , hut who Avas really on the Avrong side of fifty . The clergyman Avas mauy years his junior . A tall , thin young man , Avith rounded shoulders , and an awkAvard , nervous style ahout him . You
looked at the Rev . John Wannop s hotly and you thought him a very ordinary person ; you looked up afc his face and instantly you were fascinated . Ifc Avas almost a perfect face , and the dark , dreamy eyes were made all the more beantiful hy the pallor of the delicate skin .
Young ladies who saAv him for the first timo raved about him . His dak eyes and black hair mado him quite a hero . Some of them described his beauty as "Byronic , " others declared that
he looked like a Gieek god . No one in Studley had ever seen Lord Byron , or looked upon a Greek god in the flesh . The Rev . Mr . Wannop ' s female admirers simply used the comparison that came handijs-t fco them .
The male population of Studley wore not quite so enthusiastic . They liked the Rev . John , hut they thought there was something uncanny about him . When he first came among them a young curate of six-and-fcAventy to do tho Avhole of the Avork for a Avealthy vicar , Avho spent the best part of the year travelling
about " for the benefit of his health , they thought ho was disappointed in love , or suffered from some internal complaint . And as time went on and fchey saw more of him , and listened to his sermons , those of them AVIIO troubled about him at all made up their minds thafc he had " done something , " that ho Avas a young man " Avith a past . "
His appointment to the curacy AVUS understood to be due to the influence of Mr . Arkwrig ht , the new owner of Studley Court . The curate and Mr . Arkwright arrived in Studley almost on the same day , and it Avas understood the greatest intimacy existed between them .
Mr . Arkwrig ht was a wealthy merchant , AVIIO had retired from business alter amassing a large fortune . He came to Studley Court with his Avife and a large retinue of servants , Avith carriages and hor . es , and every outward and visible sign of wealth . For twelve mouths previously an army of workmen
had had possession of the old Court , Avlnch had been tenantless for years , and everyone AVIIO SUAV the magnificent improvements felt convinced that it had passed into the hands of a millionaire . There Avas considerable anxiety to see Mr . Arkwri ght when he arrived , but ifc-must be confessed that Studley AVUS a little
disappointed in him . There was nothing grand about him . He Avas a quiet , benevolent-looking old gentleman , with kind blue eyes und beautiful iron-grey hair , and his wife was as simple and unpretending as himself . But that he AVIVS immensel y wealthy thero could be no doubt . His hospitality at Studley
Avas noble ; he AVUS a lavish patron of all the local chanties , and he soon became the good genius of the district , and a man of importance in the country . Ji very body liked him , and adored his Avife . A more
unassuming couple it Avould have been impossible to find . They Avere aUvays accessible to thoir poorer neighbours , and the amount of good which they did in a quiet , unostentatious Avay A \ 'as incalculable .
On great occasions , such as Studley Kaccs , the Agricultural Show , and the Yeomanry Drill , Studley Court AVUS an open house , and tilled with visitors from town . But as a rule the Arkwi * i g lits lived their life veiy quietly , and confined their hospitality to a few local friends , AVIIOSU acquaintance they had made since their arrival at the Court .
Tho Rev . John Wnnnop AVUS a constant visitor . On fine afternoons it AVUS generally leaning on the curate ' s arm that Mi * . ArlvAvri g ht walked about his grounds , and Avhen the ArkAvrig hts drove into Studley toAvn the Kev . Mi * . Wannop very frequently occupied the back seat in the carriage .
Of late Dr . Hanson had been a frequent visitor as well . Mr . Ai-kwri g hfc linil not been very Avell . lie AYJIS troubled AY ith the return of a malady Avhich lie had contracted , it was understood ,
in his early manhood in California . Latterly the doctor had been in dail y attendance , and very soon it was known that Mr . Arkwri g ht was seriously and dangerously ill .
The Priest's Secret.
It AA-as a fever of some kind , it was said , and the poor old gentleman had become delirious , so delirious thafc it Avas necessary for someone to be ahvays Avifch him , and the doctor , the curate and Mrs . Arkwri g ht , the devoted Avife , had been relieving each other day and ni g ht b y the sick man ' s bedside .
Dr . Jones , Dr . Hanson ' s professional rival m Stuoley , shook his head Avhen he heard the details of fche illness .
" I can t make it out , he said , " if all I hear be true , they ought to haA'e a professional nurse—a man in that condition is likely to do himself or others an injury at any time . It can't be a question of expense , and y et there are these tAvo men and tho Avife AV earing themselves out and undertaking duties for
Avhich they are unfitted , rather than have proper attendance . Ifc ' s odd , very odd . I ' m afraid Hanson doesn ' t appreciate the gravity of the caso . " But Dr . Hanson did appreciate the gravity of the case , and that is why he and the curate arc sitting together to-ni ght in the great library at Studley Court .
" I don't know what to do for the best , said the doctor , after he gazed long and anxiously afc the fire , as if for inspiration . " Mrs . Arkrig hfc can't go on much longer . Afc any moment some UBAV case of illness Aiiay call mc away , and you must attend to your duties . "
"I can g ive my nig hts , " replied the curate . " Yes , my dear fellow , that ' s all very Avell , but if you Avatch by our poor friend ' s bedside in the night and Avorkall day you'll SOOIA be Avorn out . "
" AVe can't call anyone else m . You knoAV it ' s impossible . " AVe might get a nurse AVIIO could be trusted . Nurses do have to hear a good deal and , after all , tho secrets of the sick room are sacred . "
" Some secrets , yes ; but not . a secret like this . Sooner than let a stranger hear Avhat that poor felloAv says in his delirium , I Avould g ive up everything and remain by his side . And if AVC y ielded , you know , Dr . Hanson , his Avife would never consent . " " No , poor lady . My God , AA'hat a terrible revelation it must have been to her ; IIOAV bravely she has borne it . "
"Bravely . Yes , " said the curate , rising , and pacing fche room , " it's marvellous . Do you knoAV , Hanson , that Avhen I first became the possessor of the secret of John Arkwri g ht ' s life I thought it Avould have killed mo . " " Killed you , why ?"
" You don't understand Avhat it has been to me . I loved this man , I venerated him . It Avas he AVIIO took me h y tho hand Avhen I Avas left motherless and fatherless , and penniless . Ifc was he who educated me and brought me np , and gave me my chance in life . I felt to him as a sou to a loving father , and
Avhen 1 learned that he AVUS a " Hush ! " exclaimed the doctor , glancing towards the door . He rose and opened it , looked out cautiousl y ' , and listened for a moment . " I thought I heard someone moving about , " he said , as he came back aud sat down by the fire .
There was a moment ' s silence , and then the doctor continued the interrupted conversation . " I can quite sympathise with you my dear follow , " he said . " It must have been a terrible blow . I don't think I ever heard
such a g hastl y stoi * y in niy life . " ' * ' You agree Avith me that it is absolutely necessary to keep silence on the subject . You consider that I have clone right in holding my peace nil these years . "
" Most certainly . I can quite understand that as a clergyman , you may at first have had some samples as to your duty , hut looking nt nil the circumstances I think you are fully justified . " "And yon , IIOAV that you also know the truth , Avill keep silence , ' too . "
"Absolutely . If the circumstances under which the story reached me—from the mouth of a delirious patient—did not justify me , 1 . should only have to think of that brave devoted Avife upstairs and that would decide me . Besides , even presuming that the poor fellow Avc * i * e alone in the Avorld , what good wouhl come of betraying him IIOAV ?"
" None , none , " replied the curate , the tears coming into his eyes . " But 1 sometimes Avish that he himself had had the moral courage to confess the truth—to tell his horrible story and risk eA-erything . " " It Avould have done no good , " said the doctor , " it A \* ould
have ruined a life of great usefulness and I doubt if ever lie could have been put on his trial for tho crime . Ho could ' nt havo been tried here , because this country hns nothing to do -with the matter , and it Avould have been an absurdity for him to go back
to America and g ive himself up there . Had he dono so , I doubt if anything Avould have been believed . It might even charitabl y have been considered an hallucination on his part . " "Yes—yes , he said that himself when AVO talked the matter over . "