Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-08
A SAVING GRACE.

A SAVING GRACE.
Father Jerome, at 26 was sent to tax
sharge of mission, Grigg's Gulch, nea
sne OF the beautiful lakes of Arizona.
Three months skipped by, and th
priest looked back in wonder at bis Lift
IN the monastery; how could he have en-
sured its dullness, its petty, laggint
duties?
And Rose! At first he told himsel
vahemently that the girl was no more t.
hmm than any other precious soul il
Gngg's Gulch; at last, however he faced
the truth, and with passionate regret ad
united that his vows were, in the spirit
broken.
81 ammo more worthy to be servant
q God" he lamented; "and yet, never
ean I be free, as other men are to ask he1
10 be my wife. Holy Motherl show me
how I may honorably end my
uretched life!''
And he would rush away from human
Eyes and fling himself down in some
1nely wood, there to weep and mourn
aver his apostacy.
Lance Lyford, too, loved Rose Tyler
but he had no computations on any
ground whatever. He meant to marry
hen, and he was correct in his opinion
That it would be in every way a good
thing for him.
One September evening Rose sat sew
ing in the little parlor of her home. He1
father had not yet returned FROM his
daily trip up the lake. Father Jerome
: mt little distance from her. He held a
book, but in reality was watching the
girl with wistful eyes. His manner was
troubled, and he glanced toward the door
~ II in fear of some visitor.
It was 10 o'clock before this expecta-
ton was realized The door opened to
admit a man called Dagger Joe, one OF
the most violent characters in that sec
ton. Without noticing Rose, he address
ID the priest abruptly.
~ take it you know the whereabouts
of Ned Mackay, boss theft"
II d." said Father Jerome, calmly.
1He came to me six hours ago, impart-
Cd certain facts under seal of confession,
md told me of the pursuit of him. I
furnished him with the means of flight,
and he is forever beyond your reach"
Dagger Joe's darkened ominously,
md he said with an oath. you'll have
10 take the responsibility upon your
sslf."
s'Certainly, I expected to-" replied the
1spaied the priest, rising, and taking up
his three-cornered, black hat. At the
door he paused, and, fixing upon Rose
his deep eyes, full of unutterabie love
and suffering, he said, simply:
!'Good-byP'
sWhere are you going? Are you not
coming back?" Rose asked, anxiously.
Father Jerome only said again, with a
sad smile, ''Good-byp'
When the two men had gone, the girl
mt for some minutes in hard thought.
She knew perfectly well to what fate the
unofending priest had been so sudden
" summoned, but no means of prevent
ing it occurred to her mind. At last she
ns0se, flung on her hat and hurried after
The men, overtaking them just as they
turnsd into little half-cleared grove.
The wind was blowing and clouds OBJ
scured the moon, but several pine
torches gave lurid, ftful light. There
were about thirty men in the lynching
party. Even Rose read in their faces an
mappeasable thirst for blood.
Without any formalities, with scarce
Iva word to break the grim and awful
Stiffness, they bound the priests feel to-
esther, then his hands, and finally began
% adjust the moose about his neck. He
offered no resistance whatever; he was
only too glad to die, so that death came
not by his own hand.
Steadying her trembling voice and
limbs by tremendous effort, Rose walk
Cd boldly and quickly into the midst Of
&hs group.
"What are you doingf would you
harm the Amounted of God?" she de-
manded.
There was short silence, then one oi
IL men said.
sGet out o'this, Miss Tyler, it's nc
paaoe for q woman"
stBut what has Father Jerome doneP
persisted Rose, fearlessly.
sHe has helped too many thieves and
nnurderers to escape Justice, that's what
hes done, and now he must pay the
penalty. You clear out now, Miss Tyler
q I'll carry you out into the road my
aclf." said another man.
81 don't believe" said Rose, intensely
agitsted, 'that any people since the be
9inning of the world ever dared to hang
priest"
81 guess that's true" said Dagger Jot
frankly; ''and I guess no man here would
mise his hand against good honest
suul-savin priest; but this fellow is only
one in name; at heart he is as black a
he rest of us-perhaps blacker."
Father Jerome had indeed signally
filled to secure the regard of his charge
"A priest OF another stamp, jcvial, sympa
thetic, and fatherly, might have dons
vunders with these ungoverned men; bu
Juume WIS too austere and too young
20 have the least influence. bsids