Agnes had
but one friend to carry her fears to--Him "who never forsaketh." She had
not persisted that her husband should attend the old pastor's funeral,
whither Duff Salter escorted her, and going there, relieved from all
imputation, her evidently wedded state was seen with general respect.
People spoke to her as of old, congratulated her even at the grave, and
sought to repair their own misapprehensions, suspicions, and severities,
which Agnes accepted without duplicity.
Andrew Zane was leaning up in bed hearing the tolling bell when Agnes
reappeared.
"Husband," she said, "only Knox Van de Lear was at the grave, of the
pastor's sons."
"Ha!" exclaimed Andrew.
"He looked worse than grief could make him. A terrible tale is afloat in
Kensington."
Husband and wife looked at each other a moment in silence.
"They say," continued Agnes, "that Calvin Van de Lear has fled with his
brother's wife. That is the talk of the town. Professing to desire some
clothing for the funeral, they took a carriage together, and were driven
to Tacony yesterday, where the afternoon train, meeting the steamboat
from Philadelphia, took them on board for New York."
Andrew fell back on his pillow.
"God has hedged me all around," he answered.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278