The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-07-15
Continued from FIRST page.

obstinacy-iorgive me for saying SOTO
persist in your refusal"
at is downright duty, Romayne. II
gave way TO you, I should be the means
Of exposing the priesthood TO the vilest
misinterpretation. Ishould be deserv-
eddy reprimanded, and your proposed
deed Of gift would, without moments
hesitation. be torn up. II you have any
regard for me, drop the subject"
Romayne refused to yield, even to
this unanswerable appeal.
every WELL" he said, "there q one
document you can't tear up. You can't
interfere with my making another will.
I shall leave the vange property TO the
church, and shall appoint you one Of
the trustees. You can't object TO that"
Even rigorous Father Benwell was
now at loss for any further expression
Of honorable protest. He could only
plead sadly and submissively for an i'm
mediate change Of subject. mo more,
dear Romsyne, you distress me2 What
we're we talking Of before this unfor-
tunate topic turned up?"
He filed the glasses, he offered more
biscuits; he was really'and even percept-
IDLY agitsted.
Noticing this unusual expression Of
feeling, Romayne began to regret that
he had not more gently expressed his
intentions to his sensitive and excellent
friend.
In offering the hospitality Of his
lodgings the vange property had been
the object which Father Benwell kept
in view. He had gained the victory for
the church without ito do him justice)
thinking Of himself; like Romayne he
cared nothing for money for his own
sake. The necessity that now remained
was to make the victory secure. He
had resisted the temptation to accept
the deed Of gift in Romayne's lifetime.
The restoration in that form, while there
remained a possibility Of an heir being
born to the estate, would, under those
circumstances, have led to Q public
scandal. On the other hand. tesla.
mentary legacy Especially in the alb
sence Of an heir) would be an unassail-
able proof of the testator's attachment
to the church OF which he had become
member. Still, even with these pros
pective advantages, adverse chances
might lead, as things were, to revoca-
ton Of the will unless some serious OBJ
stacle could be placed in the way of any
future change Of purpose on the part Of
Romayne.
Father Benwell had long since made
mp his mind as to the choice Of an OBJ
stacle. The agitation which he be-
trayed had its origin in his own keen
sense Of the perils that threatened him
in safely setting the obstacle up. Un-
der sstute encouragement Romayne had
become Catholic, and had pledged
himself to restore the vange property.
Under astute encouragement there re.
NAMED one more act of submission
serious and even formidable in the con-
sequences that 1t involved-into which
1t was now necessary to lead the new
convert. Even the priests steady nerves
were shaken BY the prospect before
him.
Romayne sat looking thoughtfully
into the fire. Father Benwell, walking
up and down the room, was the first to
break the silence.
"What was it I had to say to you p
he resumed. "Surely, was speaking
ON the subject Of your future life, and
the right employment Of your energiesg'
"You are very kind, Father Benwell.
The subject has little interest for me.
Ny future life is shaped out-domestic
retirement, ennobled by religious
Duties"
Still pacing the room, Father Benwell
stopped at that reply. and put his hand
kindly on Romayne's shoulder.
1--WE don't allow good Catholic to
drift into domestic retirement who is
worthy of better things" he said. "The
church, Romsyne, wishes to make use
OF You. / never Aattered any one in my
life; but I may say before your face
what have said behind your back. A
man of your strict sense Of honor, OF
your intellect, Of your high aspirations,
Of your personal charm and influence, is
not man whom we can allow to run to
waste. Open your mind, my friend,
fairly to me, and I will open my mind
fairly to you. Let me set tho example
say it, with authority. an enviable
future is before you" ~ q
Romsyne's pale cheeks flushed With
excitement.
"What future" he asked, eagerly.
"Am I free to choosea Must 1 remind |
you that man with wife cannot think |
only Of himselfT
"Suppose you were not man with |
wifeT
"What do you meanT
"Romayne. ] am trying to break my |
way through that inveterate reserve |
which Is one OF the failings in your
character. Unless you can prevail upon
yourself TO tell me those secret thoues.ts, |
those unexpressed regrets which you can
confide to no other man, this CONVEX
sation must come 10 an end. You have
found refuge in the bosom of the |
Catholic church. Is there no yearning
in your inmost soul for anything beyond |
the position which you now occupyY
There was pause. The flush on Ro |
msynes face faded away. He was
silent.