Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-26

CLOSEST attention to the process, ne was
at liberty to enlighten his young friend.
He did it so easily aud SO chcerfuly,
that far less patient man than Penrose
would have listened to him with inter-
est.
CHAPTER HI.-THE INTRODUCTION To
RoMAYNE.
"Excepting my employment here in
the library" Father Benwell began,
"and some interesting conversation
with Lord Loring, to which I shall pre-
sently allude, L am almost rs great q
stranger in this house, Arthur, as your
self. When the object which we now
have in view was first taken seriously
into consideration, had the honor of
being personally acquainted with Lord
Loring. I was also aware that he was
an intimate and trusted friend of
Romayne. Under these circumstances,
his lordship presented himself to our
point of view as means of approaching
the owner of Vange Abbey without ex-
citing distrust. I was charged accord
ingly with the duty of establishing my
self on terms Of intimacy in this house.
By way of making room for me, the
spiritual director of Lord and Lady
Loring was attached, in some inferior
capacity, to mission abroad. And
here I am in this placel By the way,
don't treat me (when we are in the pres
ence of visitors) with any special marks
OF respect. am not provincial of our
order in Lord Loring's house-I am one
of the inferior clergy"
Penrose looked at him with admira-
tion. eft is q great sacrifice to make,
Father, il. your position, and at your
age"
"Not at all, Arthur. A position Of
authority involves certain temptations to
pride. I feel this change as lesson in
humility which is good for me. For
example, Lady Loring las can plainly
see) dislikes and distrusts me. Then,
again, q young lady has recently arrived
here on visit. She is Protestant,
and avoids mo so carefully, poor soul,
that I have never seen her yet. These
rebuffs are wholesome. reminders of his
fallible human nature to q man who has
occupied place of high trust and COM
mand. Besides, there have bean OBJ
stacles in my way which have had an
excellent effect in rousing my energies.
How do you feel, Arthur, when you
encounter obstacles ?"
81 do my best to remove them, Father,
But I am sometimes conscious of
sense OF discouragement."
"Curious," said Father Benwep, "J
am only conscious, myself, of sense oi
impatience. What right has IN obstacle
to get in my way?- that is how L look
at it. For example, the first thing
heard, when came here, was that
Romayne had left England. MY intro
duction to him was indefinitely delayed;
/ had to look to Lord L ring for all the
information / wanted, relating to the
man and his habits. There was an
other obstacle! Not living in the house.
was obliged to find an excuse for be-
ing constantly on the spot, ready to
take advantage of his lordship's leisure
moments for conversation. sat down
in this room, and I said to myself, Be-
fore I get up again, I mean to brush
these impertinent obstacles out of my
wayl' The state of the books suggested
the idea of which 1 was in search. Be-
fore I left the house I was charged
with the Encouragement of the library.
From that moment ] came and went ~
often as I liked. Whenever Lord L,or-
ing was disposed for little talk, there
was, to lead the talk in the right direo-
tion. And what is tho resultp On the
first occasion when Romayne presents
himself 1 can place you in position
to become his daily companion. ALI
due, Arthur, in tho first instance, to my
impatience Of obstacles. Amusing,
isn't it 2"
Penrose was perhaps deficient in the
sense of humor. Instead of being
amused he appeared to be anxious for
more information. "In what capacity
am l to be Mr.. Romayne's companion2' p
he ssked.
Father Benwell poured himself out
another cup Of coffee.
"Suppose tell you first," he suggest
ed, show Romayne is marked out. by
habits and disposition, as promising
subject for conversion. He is young {;
still single man; romantic, sensitive,
highly cultivated. No near relations