The morning news., 1888-11-04

son lived She wished to reappear in the
children of their child for ever. And he
was causing her to die over again. by refus
| ing to her son the betrothed of his choice,
| the one through whom the race was to be
continued. When a man had once been
| married to a woman he should never think
of wedding the church. Face to face with
| his father, who, motionless, appeared IN his
| fearful silence to grow taller and taller. he
| uttered untilial, almost murderous words.
| Then, shocked at himself. he rushed away,
shuddering at the extent to which passion
had carried him.
| When once more alone, monseigneur, as
| if stabbed in the full breast by a sharp
weapon, turned back upon himself and
| struggled deeply with his soul, as he knelt
| upon his prie-Dieu. A half rattling sound
came from his throat. Oh; these frishtfui
| heart contests, these invincible weaknesses
| of the flesh. This woman and his beloved
| lead, who was constantly coming back to
| life, he adored her now, as he did the first
| evening when he kissed her white feet; and
| this son, he idolized him as belonging to
| Ter, as a part of her life, which she had
| eft TO him. And even the young girl, the
| little working girl whom he had repulsed,
| lie loved her also with tenderness like that
Of his son for her. Now his nights were in-
| expressibly agitated by all three. Without
| his having been willing to acknowledge it,
| had she then touched him so deeply as he
saw her in the great cathedral, this little
enbroiderer, with her golden hair, her fresh
| pure neck, III all the perfume oil her youth!
| lie saw her again; she passed before him, SO
| ielicate, so pure in ner victorious submls-
sion. No remorse could have come to him
| With step more certain or more conquer
| iny. He might reject her with n loud voice.
| He knew well that hencefor5h she held him
| strongly by the heart with her humble
| hands that bore the signs of work. Whilst
| Felicien was so violently beseeching him, he
seemed 10 SEQ them both behind the blonde
head of the petitioner-theSe two ldolized
women, the one for whom his son prayed
and the one who had died for her child.
rhey were there in all their physical beou-
| tv, in all their loving devotion, and he
| could not tell where he had found strength
] to resist, SO entirely did his whole being go
: out toward them. Overcome, sobbiug, not
| knowing how he could again become calm,
Ie dem anded from heaven the courage to
tear out his heart, since this heart belonged
40 longer to God alone
Until evening monseigneur continued at
| prayer When he at last reappeared, he
vas white as wax, distressed, anxious but
still resolute. He could do nothing more,
but he repeated to his son the terrible word
| Never" 1t was God alone who had the
right to relieve him from his promise; and
| you, although III JlOIcQ, SuNt 1lAill LO II
| of change. 1t was necessary TO suffer
Some days had passed. Felicien con-
stantly wandered round the little house,
wild with grief, eager for news. Each time
that he saw any one come out he almost
tainted from fear. Thus it happened that
on the morning when Hubertine RAJ to the
church to ask for the sacred oils, he learned
that Angelique could not live through the
day. The Able Cornile was not at the
] s.priSfU and bo rnShpl ahnnt thp town n
fad him, still having a last hope that
through the Intervention of the good man
some divine aid might come. Tnen, as he
brought back with him the sought fo'
clergyman, his hope left him and he had q
frightful attack of doubt and anger. What
should he dos In what way could he force
heaven to come to his assistances He went
away, hastened to the bishops palace, the
doors of which ne again forced open, and
before his incoherent words his father was
for a moment frightened. Atlas he under.
stood. Angelique was dying. She
| awaited the extre ne unction, and now God
alone could save her. The young man hao
only come to cry out all his agong, to break
all relations with this cruel, unnatural
father, and to accuse him TO his face of will
iugly allowing this death. But monsaig-
neur listened to him without anger; upright
and very serious, his eyes suddenly bright
ened VITA a strange elearness, as if an inner
voice had spoken to him. Motloning to his
son to lead the way. he followed him, sim
ply saying at last:
''If God wishes it, also wish it,"
Felicien trembled so that he cou d scarcely
move His fa her consented, freed from
his personal vow, to submit himself to the
good will of the hOped-for miracle. Hence
forth, they, as individuals counted fol
nothing; God must act for himself Tear:
blinded him. Whilst in the sacristy mon
seigneur took the sacred oils from th'
hands of the Able Cornille. He accom-
panied them, almost staggering; he did not
dare to enter into the chamber, but fel
upon his knees at the threshold of the door
which was open wide.
The voice of the bishop was firm, as h
said:
PAX hulo domui."
"Et omnibus habitantibus in ea," tine
priest replied.
Monseigneur had just placed on the whit
table, between the two wax candles, the
sacred oils making in the air the sign OF
the cross with the silver vase. Then ht
took from the hands of the Able the cruel
fix, and approached the sufferer that ht
might make her kiss it. But Angeliqu'
was still unconscious, her eyes we're closed
her mouth shut, her hands rigid, and look
ing like the little stiff figures of stone
placed upon tombs. He examined her for
| moment. ana, SBolilR ny Juo ollkHb HlOVe
ment of her chest that she was not dead ht
placed upon her lips the crucitix. He waited
His face preserved the majesty of a minis
ter of penitence, and no signs of emotion
we're visible, when he realized that no
even quivering had passed over the ex
quisite profile of the young girl. nor in hel
beautiful hair. She still lived, however
and that was sufficient for the redemption
of her Sins.
The Able then gave to monseigneur th,
vessel of holy water and the asperge'
brush, and while he held open before hin
the ritual book, he threw the holy watel
upon the dying girl, as he read the Latir
words:
Asperges, me, Domino, hyssopo ct mum
dabor; lavabis me, ct super nivem dealba
Dor.
The drops sprung forth in every direction
and tue whole bed was refreshed by them a
if sprinkled with dew 1t rained upon hel
hands and upon her cheeks; but one by on,
the drops rolled away as if from iusensiblt
marble. At last the bishop turned toward,
the assistants and sprinkled them in theil
turn. Hubert and Hubertine, kneeling side
by side, in the full union Of their perfect
faith, bent humbly under the shower Of thi
benediction. Then Monseigneur blessed alst
the chamber, the furniture, the white wall
in all their bare purity, and as he passet
near the door he found hims II before hi
son, who had fallen down on the threshold
and was sobbing violently, having covered
his face with his burning hands. With Q