The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-02


nothing"
"Jealously without love! Blessed in
nocence, that is impossible. He is too
young, too comely to:be the confessor
of charming girls. Leave him, and
take instead old Father Ignace. He is
eighty, and much filter to train souls
than Ugarte, who looks more like conde
in disguise than sanity priest"
II cannot without telling my father
why I change. No; he is generous; l
will trust him; for perhaps my silence
is all that offends. l used to open my
heart freely, and he gave me comfort
with the voice and face Of plying an
gel l Wrong him to doubt his virtue,
and ought rather to blame my own fool
ish fancy, which has been full Of ro-
nance since you came. Be careful !;
shun me for daysor two, and let no
one suspect our love. I will sound Gg-
arte, and if he proves kind he will soft
EN- my father, and secure our happiness.
Leave all to me, and do not meddle, hot
head, or you will ruin everything"
Philippe, full of newly-roused sus-
picions, rebelled at first; but Dolores
famed the lion, and bound him by q
promise which he dared not break, for
the forfeit was weeks Punishment from
her presence.
Full of hope, yet haunted by a secret
fear, the happy girl went early to con
fession on the following day, praying
that the priest might be in a benignant
mood. She did not see his face, as
kneeling outside, she put her rosy lips
TO the little grating behind which he sat,
and in soft voice told her innocent of
fenses; but from the tone in which he
replied she augured well, for it was kin
der than ever, and the words, tiny
daughter" were uttered with more than
naternal tenderness.
When the customary rites were over,
Dolores still remained kneeling, and,
lowering her voice, said, slowly:
"Father, I need counsel on a matter
touching my happiness. May | ask it of
you, my spiritual guide?'
"Speak freely, daughter" was the
brief reply; but had she seen the anguish
Of the hidden face pressed close against
the bars,her love tale would have remain
ed untold.
She did not see it, and, with maiden
hesitation, breathed her little romance
in his ear, pausing often to steady a
voice tremulous with happiness, or hide
face eloquent with uncomfortable emo
ton.
Ugarte tasted the pangs of purgatory
while he listened to the confirmation OF
his worst fear. Had he saved her from
convent for this? Had he won her
confidence, respect and affection, all he
dared ask, to see them grow pale and
cold beside passion beautiful and fresh
and strong as nothing but the first love
of a woman's heart can be? Had he
guarded, cherished and worshiped her
in secret to give her up to that rival.
who, having all the world to choose
from, had bereft him of the one joy of
his austere and Litter lie?
"Accursed heretic He shall never
win her. AS priest and man, l swear it,
and [ will keep my OATH for her SOULS
saker' he said, within himself, clinching
his hands, and flashing a defiant look
toward the unconscious cause of his
torment.
Having told her story, and proffered
her prayer, Dolores waited for his ans
wer with heart whose anxious throb-
bing he could hear. 1t came slowly and
sternly, sounding like the knell of all
her hopes; for if he failed her, she knew
that love was lost.
Daughter, the curse of heaven would
fall upon me if I lent my aid to such a
sin as this. One hereto has already
brought disgrace upon your house, and
that disgrace should have been expiated
long ago but for my compassion on
your youth. Will you condemn your
mother to languish i'll purgatory forever
that you may taste a transitory joy?-
Forget this folly, dedicate your life to
prayer, and delay no longer to join the
Sisterhood of Mary"
'Oh, father, spare me! am so young
life is so beautifnl-love so sweet! do
not bid me relinquish all, and condemn
me to living DEATH" cried Dolores, in
despair.
Better sacrifice earthly bliss than
lose eternal life,' came back the stern
voice.
sAh! if you knew the heaven love
can make on earth, you would not coldly
command me to break my heart and DIES,
olate my Phillippe's life she sobbed
with passionate abandon.
"Not know it! Heaven pity me, fol
I have felt q sharper pain than thou
poor child!' and there was such bitter
suffering in the stifed words that tho
girl checked her tears to listen in amaze
ment.
Forgive me; and, in memory of youl
own lost love, be merciful to me-" she
whispered, hoping to touch and softer
his stern will. Father, dear father
take compassion on me! My fate lie:
in your hands; make it happy, and my
blessing shall be yours forever"
''That will not satisfy me-" he mutter
ed between his teeth. What has that
man done that he should be sc blest ?
He has neither sacrificed, struggled MOI
suffered as l have done. Why SHOULD
be receive heaven upon earth and know
only a barren life of captivity. renuncia
ton and despair? / stand between he
and perdition; no prayers shall move
me now but, once in the shelter Of /:
nunnery, l will comfort her, and fit he
innocent soul for heaven, since emthly
love is forbidden. Dolores" he said
after the pause which followed her las
appeal, ''if | save you from the conven
once more, will you renonnce this he
rectic foreyer|'
II cannot-I cannot. Without him
it matters little where l am, convent OF
grave-either is welcome if you take
my Philippe from me! swear to yor
| will remain true Catholic; but | can
not-no, / will not give him up!' sh,
cried, with vehemence that proved how
indomitablc her love would prove.
"Hush rash creature; pause and re