Alan walked down to the water 's edge to give her time to recover herself . When he came back he took her hands and said quietly , `` Lynde , do you realize what this means for us -- for us ? You are free -- free to love me -- to be my wife . '' Lynde shook her head . `` Oh , that ca n't be . I am not fit to be your wife . '' `` Do n't talk nonsense , dear , '' he smiled . `` It is n't nonsense . You are a minister and it would ruin you to marry a girl like me . Think what the Rexton people would say of it . '' `` Rexton is n't the world , dearest . Last week I had a letter from home asking me to go to a church there . I did not think of accepting then -- now I will go -- we will both go -- and a new life will begin for you , clear of the shadows of the old . '' `` That is n't possible . No , Alan , listen -- I love you too well to do you the wrong of marrying you . It would injure you . There is Father . I love him and he has always been very kind to me . But -- but -- there 's something wrong -- you know it -- some crime in his past -- '' `` The only man who knew that is dead . '' `` We do not know that he was the only man .
I am the daughter XXXXX a criminal and I am no fit wife for Alan Douglas .
Father Lynde Rexton for from in like of that to