The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-03-04

ready" he said. "You shall have a
little story now. No doubt you have
heard ofNewstead Abbey famous among
the readers Of poetry as the residence
of Byrons King Henry treated New
stead exactly as he treated vange Abbes
Many years since the lake at Newstead
was dragged, and the brass eagle which
had served as the lectern in the old
church was rescued from the waters in
which it had lain for centuries. A secret
receptacle was discovered in the body OF
the eagle, and the ancient title deeds of
the Abbey were found in it. The monks
had taken that method Of conceafing the
legal proof of their rights and privileges
in the hope--a vain hope, I need
scarcely say-that time might come
when justice would restore to them the
property of which they had been
robbed Only last summer one of our
bishops, administering northern
diocese, spoke of these circumstances
to devout Catholic friend, and said he
thought it possible that the precaution
taken by the monks at Newstead might
also have been taken by the monks at
vange. The friend, should tell you,
was an enthusiast. Saying nothing
to the bishop Whose position and re-
sponsibilities he was bound to respect),
he took into his confidence persons
whom he could trust. One moonlight
night-in the absence of tho present
proprietor, or l should rather say, the
present usurper, of the estate-thc lake
at Vange was privately drngend, with
result that proved the bishops con.
lecture to be right Read those valu.
able documents, Arthur. Knowing
your strict sense of honor, and your
admirable tenderness OF conscience, l
wish you to be satisfied OF tho title OF
the church to the lands of Vange, by
evidence which is beyond dispute
With this little preface he waited
while Penrose read the title deeds.
Amy doubt on your mind?' he asked,
when the reading had come TO an end.
"Not the shadow of . doubt"
"Is the church's right to ihe prop
.rty clear?"
"As clear, father, as words can make
IT,"
every good. We will lock up theI
documents. Arbitrary contiscation,I
Arthur, even on the part of king, can.
not override the law. What the church.
once lawfully possessed, the church has
o right to recover. Any doubt about
that in your mind?"
"Only the doubt of how the church
can recover. Is there anything in this
particular case to be hoped from the
| law?"
| Nothing whatever"
| "And yet, father, you speak as if you
saw some prospect of the restitution of
tile property. By what means can the
restitution be made?'
"By peaceful and worthy means,'
Father Benwell answered. "By honor
able restoration of the confiscated prop.
erty to tho church on the part of the
person who is now in possession of it."
Penrose was surprised and interested.
"Is the person Catholic?" he asked,
eagerly
"Not yet" Father Benwell laid Q
strong emphasis on those two little
words. His fat fingers drummed rest
lessly ON the table; his vigilant eye.
rested expectsntly on Penrose.
"Surely you understand me. Arthur
he added, after an interval.
The color rose slowly in the worn face
Of Penrose.
"I am afraid to understand you," he
said.
"Why2'
81 am not sure that it is my bette
sense which understands. am afraid
Father, it may be my vanity and pre-
sumption"
Father Benwell leaned back Iuxur
iously in his chair.
81 like that modesty," he said, will
relishing smack of his lips, as If mod
esty was as good as q meal to him
: "There is power of the right sor'
Arthur, hidden under the diffidenc
4 that does you honor. Lam more tina
ever satisfied that have been right i
reporting you Us worthy Of this mos
serious trust. believe the convei
don Of the owner of Vange Abbey is
d your hands--no moro than matte
N time"
MAY ask wi lt his name is
Certainly. Illa name is Levi
Romayns."
"whsn do yOu Introduce me Il
himT
Impossible to say. have not ye
been introduced myself"
"You don't know Mr.. RomAypeY
II have never even seen him.
These discouraging replies were mad
With the perfect composure Of Q mai
who saw his way clearly before him
Sinking from one depth Of perplexity I,