A Commonplace Girl (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 Excerpt: ...the child all right? Well and happy?" He had begun to speak more cheerfully, but something in Mr. Dale's face frightened him, and his last words were full of keen anxiety. "Yes--she is 'all right'; but in safer keeping than either Martin's or yours." Geoffrey sprang up with a cry of despair--"Do you mean to say that she is dead too?" "Sit down, Mr. Fielding," the vicar said, with quiet authority. "You must stay here to-night--it is too late to go to the inn. Stay, and I will tell you about it. When Martin Crouch brought little Bessie here shortly before Christmas, she was already delicate. He took the tenderest care of the child, and loved her like his own. Our good doctor said from the first that she had no constitution--and she faded painlessly away. Two days ago we laid her in the ground beside your father's grave.... Eemember, Mr. Fielding, that what is done is irremediable. As men sow, they reap. It is God's law, and a righteous one. You know best whether this child's death, as far as you are concerned, is punishment for sin, or loving discipline. Nay it is all loving, if we could see aright." An hour later the two men still sat facing one another. Geoffrey had told his story, and the telling of it--hateful as it was, and little as he spared himself--somewhat eased the strain which had been like iron bands about his heart for days. Jonathan Dale's sympathy had gone forth (running, like the father in the blessed parable) to meet and help his confession. Not as priest, nor as saint, but as pitying brother, he listened, and strove to comfort. Geoffrey had little to tell beyond the story which Martin had already told the vicar. On board the Sarmatian he had fallen desperately in love with a beautiful young crea...