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


Father resumed; "the time of expla-
nation has not yet come. I have some-
thing else to show you first. One OF
the most interesting relics in England.
Look here"
He unlocked fiat mahogany box,
and displayed to view some writings on
vellum, evidently of great age.
"You have had little sermon al
ready" he said. "You shall have
little story now. No doubt you have
heard of Newstcad Abbey-famous among
the readers of poetry as the residence
Of Byron? King Henry treated New
stead exactly as he treated vange AbbeSl
Many years since the lake at Newstead
was dragged, and the brass eagle which
had served as the lectern in the old
church was rescued from the waters in
which it had lain for centuries. A secret
receptacle was discovered in the body of
tho eagle, and the ancient title deeds of
the Abbey we're found in it. The monks
had taken that method of concealing the
legal proof Of their rights and privileges
in the hope-a vain hope, l need
scarcely say--that time might come
when justice would restore to them the
property of which they had been
robbed. Only last summer one of our
bishops, administering northern
diocese, spoke of these circumstances
to devout Catholic friend, and said he
thought it possible that the precaution
taken by the monks at Newstead might
also have been taken by the monks at
Vange. The friend, should tell you,
was an enthusiast. Saying nothing
TO the bishop Whose position and re-
sponsibilities he was bound to respect),
he took into his confidence persons
whom he could trust. One moonlight
night--in the absence of the present
proprietor, or should rather say, the
present usurper, of the estate-the lake
at Vange was privately dragged, with
result that proved the bishops con-
lecture to be right. Read those valu-
able documents, Arthur. Knowing
your strict sense of honor, and your
admirable tenderness OF conscience, 1
wish you to be satisfied of the title Of
the church to the lands of Yange, by
evidence which is beyond dispute"
With this little preface he waited
while Penrose read the title deeds.
"Any doubt on your mind?" he asked,
when the reading had come to an end.
"Not the shadow of doubt"
ais the church's right to the prop
erty clear9"
"As clear, father, as words can make
it,"
every good. We will lock up the
documents. Arbitrary coniscation,
Arthur, even on the part of king, can
not override the law. What the church
once lawfully possessed, the church has
right to recover. ANY doubt about
that IN your mind"
"Only the doubt Of how the church
can recover. Is there anything in this
particular case to be hoped from the
law?"
Nothing whatever"
"And yet, father, you speak as if you
saw some prospect of the restitution of
the property. By what means can the
restitution be made?"
"By peaceful and worthy means,'
Father Benwell answered. "By honor
able restomtion of the confiscated prop.
erty to the church on the part of the
person who is now in possession of it."
Penrose was surprised and interested.
"Is the person Catholic?" he asked,
eagerly.
"Not yet" Father Benwell laid
strong emphasis on those two little
words. His fat fingers drummed rest
lessly on the table; his vigilant eyes
rested expectantly on Penrose.
"Surely you understand me, Arthur"
he added, after an interval.
The color rose slowly in the worn face
Of Penrose.
ct am afraid to understand you," he
said.
"Why%
"I am not sure that it is my better
sense which understands. l am afraid,
Father, it may be my vanity and pre-
sumption"
Father Benwell leaned back luxur-
iously in his chair.
"I like that modesty," he said, with
relishing smack of his lips, as if mod
esty was as good as a meal to him.
"There is power of the right sort,
Arthur, hidden under the dihidence
that does you honor. I am more than
ever satisfied that l have been right in
reporting you as worthy of this most
serious trust. 1 believe The conyer-
sion of the owner of vange Abbey is
in your hands-no more than matter
of time"
"May I ask what his name is
"Certainly. His name is Lewis
Romayne."
"When do you introduce me to