The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-07-08

sons. Protracted seclusion and mono
|. ony OF life are morally ant. mental
unprofitable to a man of your arde,
disposition. I abstained from me,
tioning these reasons at the time ont
. feeling of regard for our excelIer
resident director, who believes unr,
servedly in the institution over wbic
ne presides. Very good The Retrea
has done all that it could usefullv a
IN your case. We must think next q
now to employ that mental act;v;t,
which, rightfully developed, is one q
tne most valuable qualities that vo,
possess Let me ask, first, if you bav,
h some degree recovered your tran.
quillity ?" -. 'h
81 feel like different man. Fatbe,
Benwell." "''e'
That's right And your nervous
Snnerings-I don't ask what they are. I
only want to know if you experience a
sense of relief?'
A most welcome sense of relief -
homayne answered, with a revival Of
'he enthusiasm of other days. "The
complete change in all my thoupbts
and convictions which owe to yon-n
and 10 dear Penrose," Father Ben
well interposedy with the prompt sense
OF ustice which no man could more no.
comingly assume. "We must NOT for.
get Arthur" M
Forget him ?" Romayne repeated.
Not a day passes without my thinking
OF MN. 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.
ton, as OF one whose glorious life, with
oil its dangers, should like to share"
He spoke with a 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 in
bygone days, reasoned on Romayne's
case That " occurrence of some new
..rnuvnvo IA me, oI
which tho doctor had spoken-that
working of some complete change in
his habits of thought" found its
way to him at last, after the wife's sim
pie devotion had failed, through the
subtler ministrations of the priest.
"No," said Father Benwell, "Your
life must not be the life Of our dear
friend. The service on which the
Church employs Penrose is not the fit
service for you. You have other claims
on u.s." Romayne looked at his spiritual
adviser with momentary change OF
expression, relapse into the ironical
bitterness Of the past time.
"Have you forgotten that am, and
can be, only layman?" he asked.
What claims can have, except the
claim of all faithful members
Of the church on the good offices of the
PRIESTHOOD" He paused for moment,
and continued with the abruptness of
man struck by new idea. ~Yes! 1
have perhaps one small claim of nv
'wn-the claim of being allowed to do
ny duty"
"ln what respect, dear Romayne?"
"Surely, you can guess9 am a rich
nan; have money lying idle, which it
S my duty land my privileged to devote
o the charities and necessities of the
'hurch. And, while am speaking of
his, must own that am a little sur
'rised at your having said nothing to
ne on the subject. You have mover yet
'ointed out to me the manner in which
might devote my money to the best
nd noblest uses. Was it forgetful-
less on your part?'
Father Benwell shook his head.
"No," he replied; 81 can't honestly
ay that"
"Then you had reason for your
ilence?"
YES"
"May not know it ?"
Father Benwell got up and walked to
he fireplace. Now there are various
lethods of getting up and walking to
replace, and they find their way to out
ard expression through the customary
ieans Of look and manner. We may
'el cold, and may only want to warm
urselves. Or We may feel restless and
lay need an excuse for changing our
osition. Or We may feel modestly con-
lsed, and may be anxious to hide it.
ather Benwell, from head to foot, ex-
ressed modest confusion and polite
nxiety to hide it. Fiji
"My good FRIEND" he said, "I am
fraid of hurting your feelings"
Romayne was sincere convert, but
lere were instincts still left in him
hich resented this expression of re-
s-S. -a--.--.1-S-- - f,.~,ooodvu- -rrom
ian whom he respected and admired"
"You will hurt my feelings" he an
sered, little sharply, I" if you are not
lain with me-"
"Then I will be plain with you,"
ather Benwell reioined. "The church
speaking through me as her unworthy
,terpreter-feels certain delicacy in
pproaching you on the subject Of
ioney."
"Why p
Father Benwell left the fireplace with
ut Immediately answering. He opened
drawer and took out OF it fiat ma