The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-31

rcbuke. as Twomey groaned ami suffered rs
il ~ his vcry last gasp. 4 thought yoa't
como 10 your senses eool ard repent OF ycur
s.ns"--
lie had no TIM 20 say more for in an in
slant Twomcy threw out his left arm and
oncircled the priests rsck n a strau ling
grin. which dragged the faher down on the
roor while ct the Sane moment tho murder
GUS wretch drew back the cleaning Enife for
a terrific plunge.
Father Bradley, you traitor to your oaths.
you'yo rot to dici1 lie shouted. and then be
drove down the knife with such force that it
ran through the sleeve and urn Of the priest
and stuck fast in the floor, thus pinioning
him TO the ground But the priest, though
stout was strong. ar'i he ciutcAed the throat
OF the man above him with such yiSor that
Twomcy's brecth was nearly stopped forever
Seeing also that he had missed his blow,
Twomey struggled to pull back the knife ont
Of the floor, but only succeeded IN breaking
the blade and releasing the wounded arm.
Then the victory was all with the church.
The priest clutcl,.d at his foe with both
arms. throttled him and then nearly pounded
the life out of him against the iloor.
"You murderous william, tow dare you at
tack the Lords annointedP he shouted at
last. when Twomey's senses were DNrly
driven out of him.
e-you-betrayed me-to McGo-
5an,n gasped the helpless cur under BIN.
"Neveri neverl swear il by heavenw
cried the priest, starting up and leaving his
foe free, while be passionately raised his
clasped hands TO heaven. IF | speak falsely
NAV the devil prompt you to take up that
broken knife and finish me on the spot
Twomey was staggered and awed, but still
only half convinced.
~ never breathe,l a word Of it TO living
sowl but 10 you in confession, yet McGoyan
found it out" he persisted. "You must
IF had revealed the secrets Of heaven
that knife would have gone straight through
my heart, =" said the priest, raising with awful
majesty the arm from which the blood was
now streaming. "You have tried 10 slay the
messenger Of Godl Listen. You shall be
accursed before men! forsaken in sickness
and DEATH thrown out Of heaven"
Mercy mercyr' cried Twomey, throwing
of the blankets, and beginning 10 crawl on his
hands and knees toward the towering and
retreating priest. Don't spake the awful
words and I'll repent every day OF my life
Mercy mercy"
The priest however. continued 20 retreat
till he had nearly reached the door, when in
a paroxysm Of terror, Twomcy threw his
arms around his knees and tried to dctain
him. when with last effort the priest hurled
him of and turned to leave But then the
loss Of blood the shock OF the stab, and the
excitement of his denunciation came back on
him, and he family dropped on his knees On
the threshold, while Twomey, noticing the
streaming blood and CHASTITY pallor Of the
sinking priest. uttered a wall Of grief, think
Ing that Lo had killed him.
"Oh, father, dear lock up lie cried,
catching the priest in his arms and madly
kissing at the limp hands. i've killed you
tho best and truest that ever blessed q sin
ful world. Say one word-say you forgive
r,e-take back the curse and III repont-Il
do anythingp
The priest however. overcome though be
was, had still strength Of viii and dignity
enough to shake of the miserable, covering
wretch and to etagger to his feet. saying:
"lt's rot mo YOU have oifcnded-it's God,
Repcnt before him, if you cam and with
these words he slowly retired. shutting the
door after hin. ard leaving Tw0mey IL a
STATE Of frantic despair bordering on madness.
Re expected 70 be visited by the police in a
short time, bat they did not come and 80
length be grew impatient and went 10 give
Himself up But no charge h.d been made
against him by Father Bradley, and De went
thence. % find that tho priest had bravcly
crawlcd 20 his own homo and himself Lolnd
Up the bleeding wound in his arm, without
saving g word even q Dis servant
WEou Twomcy Afterwards appealed % me,
and / slowed him THAT be must have revealed
the secret 70 Slider in lis sleep, nc only
groanod out:
ooh. what a fool whGta fool Praise,sbe
GOD that saved mo from murder
lie has never gone wrong since, and is one
Of the most devoted ard Well doing II Father
Bradcy's fock-Jamcs McGovan 10 sheffield
iEngD Weekly Telegraph.