Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-06-11

"Mr. Winterfeld's marriage at Brus-
| sells"
(Which the English law" Father
Benwell interposed, "declares to be
arnulled by the marriage before the
registrar stands good, nevertheless, by
the higher law of the church. Mr.. Win
terield is Miss Eyrecourt's husband as
long as they both live. An ordained
priest performed the ceremony in con-
secrated building, and Protestant mar
riages, so celebrated, are marriages ac-
knowledged by the Catholic church.
Under those circumstances the cere.
mony which afterward united you to
Miss Eyrecourt-though neither you
nor the clergyman We're to blame--was
a mere mockery. Need 1 say more !?
Shall I leave you for while by your
self?"
"Nol 1 don't know what may
think, 1 don't know what l may do, if
you leave me by myself"
Father Benwell took chair by Ro-
mayne's side. cit has been my hard
duty to grieve and humiliate you," he
said. edo you bear me no ill will 2"
He held out his hand.
Romayne took it as an act of justice
if not as an act of gratitude.
"Can 1 be of any use in advising
you ?" Father Benwell asked.
"Who can advise q man in my po-
sition?" Romayne bitterly reioined.
"I can at least suggest that you
should take time to think over your
position"
"Time take time? You talk as if
my situation was endurable."
Everything is endurable, Romayne.'
1T may be SO to you, Father Ben
we'll. Did you part with your humanity
when you put on the black robe of the
priest?"
81 parted, my son, with those weak
nesses of our humanity on which women
practice. You talk of your position I
will put it before you at its worst"
"For what purpose?"
"To show you exactly what your po-
sition is. Judged by the law OF Eng
land Mrs. Romayne syour wife. Judged
by the principles held sacred among the
religious community to which you be.
long she is not Mrs. Eomavne-she is
Mrs. Wimterticld-living with you IN
adultery. If you regret your conyer-
sion
al don't regret it, Father Benwell." :"
eff you renounce the holy aspirations
which you have yourself acknowledged
to me, return to your domestic life.
But don't ask us, while You are living
with that lady, to acknowledge you as a
member of our communion"
Romayne was silent. The more VIC.
lent emotions aroused in him had, with
time, subsided into calm. Tenderness,
mercy, past affection found their oppor.
tunity, and pleaded with him. The
priests bold language had missed the
object at which it aimed. 1t had re.
vived in Romayne's memory the image
of Stella in the days when he had first
seen her. How gently her influence had
wrought on him for good; how tenderly,
how truly she had loved him.
"Give me some more winew he
cried. 81 feel faint and giddy. Don't
despise me, Father Benwell; was once
50 fond of herp
The priest poured out the wine.
az feel for you," he said "Indeed,
indeed I feel for you"
"Let me mention one circumstance. {"
Father Benwell proceeded, (which may
help to relieve you for the moment. In
your present state of mind you cannot
return to the Retreat"
Impossible |"
~ have had room prepared for you
in this house. Here, free from any dis
turbing influence, you can shape the
future course of your life. If you wish
to communicate with your residence at
Highgate-"
"Don't speak of it'll
Father Benwell sighed.
"Ah, I understand I" he said, sadly.
"The house associated with Mr. Win
terfield's visit is"
Romayne again interrupted him, this
time by gesture only. The hand that
had made the sign clinched itself when
it rested afterward on the table. His
eyes looked downward under frowning
brows. At the name Of Winterfield re-
memb ances that poisoned every better
influence in him rose venomously in his
mind. Once more he loathed the deceit
that had been practiced on him. Once
more the detestable thought of that as
serted parting at the church-door re-
newed its stealthy torment and reasoned
with him as if in words-She has de-
eeiyed you in one thing, why not in an.
other?
"Can I see my lawyer here?" he
asked, suddenly.
my dear Romayne, you can see
any one whom you like to invite"
HT shall moi trouble Won Inv sIay;np