Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-06-04

"And 10 dear Penrose," Father Ben
we'll interposed, with the prompt sense
of ustice which no man could more be-
comingly assume. "We must not for
get Arthur"
"Forget himP" Romayne repeated.
"Not day passes without my thinking
of him. 1t is one of the happy results
of the change in me that my mind does
not dwell bitterly on the loss of him
now. think of Penrose with admira
t on, rs of one whose glorious life, with
all its dangers, should like to share
He spoke with rising color and
Frightening eyes. Already the absorb
ent capacity of the Roman Church had
drawn to itself that sympathetic side OF
his character which was also one of its
strongest sides. Truly and deeply in
deed had the physician, consulted ii
bygone days, reasoned on Romayne',
case That occurrence of some new
and absorbing influence in his life," o,
which the doctor had spoken-tha.
working of some complete change il
his habits OF thought" found it,
way to him at last, after the wife sin
pie devotion had failed, through Tho
subtler ministrations of the priest.
"No," said Father Benwell, "YoW
life must not be the life of our deaf
friend. The service on which til,
Church employs Penrose is not the fl
service for you. You have other claims
ON u.s." Romayne looked at his spiritua
adviser with momentary change CT
expression, relapse into the ironica
bitterness of the past time.
"Have you forgotten that am, and
can be, only layman?" he asked
"What claims can l have, except th,
common claim of all faithful members
of the church on the good Offices of til,
priesthood" He paused for moment
and continued with the abruptness of q
man struck by new idea. eyes! }
have perhaps one small claim of m,
own--tne claim of being allowed to dc
my duty"
"In what respect, dear Romayne?"
"Surely, you can guess? I am riel
man; I have money lying idle, which il
is my duty land my privileged to devote
to the charities and necessities of the
church. And, while I am speaking OF
this, I must own that l am little sur.
prised at your having said nothing
me on the subject. You have never
pointed out to me the manner in which
I might devote my money to the best
and noblest uses. Was it forgetfu
ness on your part?"
Father Benwell shook his head.
"No," he replied; 81 can't honestl
say that"
"Then you had reason for 20,
silence /"
Eyes"
"May I not know it ?"
Father Benwell got up and walked to
the fireplace. Now there are various
methods of getting up and walking to
fireplace, and they find their way to out
ward expression through the customary
means OF look and manner. We may
feel cold, and may only want to war;
ourselves. Or we may feel restless an
may need an excuse for changing our
position. Or we may feel modestly con-
fused, and may be anxious to hide it.
Father Benwell, from head to foot, ex-
pressed modest confusion and polite
anxiety to hide it.
"My good FRIEND" he said, II am
afraid of hurting your feelings"
Romayne was sincere convert, but
there we're instincts still left in him
which resented this expression of re-
gard, even when it proceeded from a
man whom heTespected and admired"
"You will hurt my feelings" he an
swered, little sharply, If you are not
plain with me-"
"Then 1 will be plain with you"
Father Benwell reioined. "The church
speaking through me as her unworthy
interpreter-feels certain delicacy in
approaching you on the subject Of
money"
"Why ?"
Father Benwell left the fireplace with
out Immediately answering. He opened
i drawer and took out of it fiat ma
hogany box. His gracious familiarity
became transformed by some mysterious
process OF congelation into dignified
formality of manner. The priest took
the place of the man.
"The church, Mr.. Romayne, hesitates
to receive, as benevolent contributions,
money derived from property of its own
arbitrarily taken from it and placed in n
layman's hands. Mol" he cried, inter
rupting Romayne, who instantly under
stood the allusion to Vange Abbey.
"Nol I must beg you to hear me out.
state the case plainly at your own re-
quest. At the same time am bound to
admit that the lapse of centuries has, in
the eye of the law, sanctioned the delib-
crate act of robbery perpetrated by