ged the
other. The last-mentioned charged the new preacher with envy, hatred and
malice, and all uncharitableness, besides the wish to rise on the ruin
of his unfortunate predecessor, and they went home in high indignation,
resolved not to set foot within the parish church again until the
honorable acquittal of their own beloved pastor should put all his
enemies, persecutors and slanderers to shame.

The excitement spread and gained force and fire with space. The press
took it up, and went to war as the people had done. And as far as the
name of Thurston Willcoxen had been wafted by the breath of fame, it was
now blown by the "Blatant Beast." Ay, and farther, too! for those who
had never even heard of his great talents, his learning, his eloquence,
his zeal and his charity, were made familiar with his imputed crime and
shuddered while they denounced. And this was natural and well, so far as
it went to prove that great excellence is so much less rare than great
evil, as to excite less attention. The news of this signal event spread
like wildfire all over the country, from Maine to Louisiana, and from
Missouri to Florida, producing everywhere great excitement, but falling
in three places with the crushing force of a thunderbolt.

First by Marian's fireside.

In a private parlor of a quiet hotel, in one of the Eastern cities, sat
the lady, now nearly thirty years of age, yet still in the bloom of her
womanly beauty.

She had lately arrived from Europe, charged with one of those benevolent
missions which it was the business and the consolation of her life to
fulfill.

It was late in the afternoon, and the low descending sun threw its
golden gleam across the round table at which she sat, busily engaged
with reading reports, making notes, and writing letters connected with
the affair upon which she had come.

Seven years had not changed Marian much--a little less vivid, perhaps,
the bloom on cheeks and lips, a shade paler the angel brow, a shade
darker the rich and lustrous auburn tresses, softer and calmer, fuller
of thought and love the clear blue eyes--sweeter her tones, and gentler
all her motions--that was all. Her dress was insignificant in material,
make and color, yet the wearer unconsciously imparted a classic and
regal grace to every fold and fall of the drapery. No splendor of
apparel could have given such effect to her individual beauty as this
quiet costume; I would I were an artist that I might reproduce