The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-02-09
A Strange Secret.

= was late one night that was sud.
denly summoned to attend stranger
who lay dying at neighboring inn.
As soon as l saw the lived, haggard
face knew there was no hope for
him. He had a swarthy face, like an
Italian. lit by dark, piercing eyes. and
his forehead painfully marked with
rigid lines left by prolonged mental
sufferings.
1 was about to administer an opiate.
when he thrust aside my hand impa-
tiently. II want you to hear my con-
fession first" he exclaimed. l shall
detain you but moment" Il am
physician, not clergyman" answer
ed, gently.
Nevertheless, 1 beg you to hear
me-" he PERSISTED. Quick! quick!
there is no time to lose!' his eyes
flash ng with fitful lurid Iustre.
For one in his condition '.humoring"
was the best treatment So, first see
ing that the door was securely closed.
I sat down 10 wait till the dclusion he
was under as to the nature OF my Office
had run Its course.
Il shall not trouble you with long
history he began. In my early life l
was II soldier, and brave one, l may
add without boasting; for had I not
vowed 10 win rank and fame for the
sake of one of the fairest of Italy's
fair daughters, who had secretly pledg-
ed me her lover Such an incentive
would have inspired courage even in
towards breast; but the Caslelles
were never towards!
At last I felt that might without
blushing present myself before Giuli-
eta s relatives and openly claim her
hand.
Impatient of every moments delay I
flew to lay my hard earned honors at
her feet; but, alas! what tidings await
ed me! In my absence Giulietta's
family had forced her to marry a dis
solute young noble, who coveted her
not herself. She survived the
cruelty but little season; for within
q month she dropped and died. the
vict m. doubt not of broken heart.
would have hurried back to the
field and sought death there. but the
war was over. The church offered an
other refuge from the world, now
grown insupportable. I became a
priest and in time an attache of one
Of the great cathedrals.
Ono night l entered professional
facing one of the outer aisles, that 1
might be ready to hear, as was my
custom, any chance penitent who
N ght come, as many did, to disburden
lis conscience under cover of dark.
ness.
Several came and went; and when,
It last, at a late hour. I was on the
point of retiring, believing my work
inished. stop approached and enter
ID the compartment on the other side
If the lattice.
OF course my lips are sealed against
what then heard. At the
lose the penitent started to withdraw.
quick movement brought me to his
tide. Selling his arm turned him
'ound suddenly to face him. We
'tood in the aisle, in the dim light of
me of the large windows. I threw
pack my cowL He recoiled. shivering |
Is if he had seen ghost.
Luigi Castello!' he gasped.
'Aye!-Luigi CASTILLO echoed.
is it your purpose to denounce me?'
10 asked. in a voice tremulous with |
error.
What I have heard, I have heard |
Inder the seal of my sacred Office I
eplied. i dare not disclose it.
He breathed more freely.
4 have given you absolution,' I con-
inued. as my eye. attracted by a
parking light fell on the jewelled
tilt of dagger at bis girdle.
4 humbly thank you. father he
nuttered.
"As far as it lies in the power of the
hurch. you are now prepared to de-
added.
Heaven grant itr he replied.
'Amen!' l answered and, snatohing
he dagger from his belt, sheathed it
4 his heart"
The last word was uttered almost in
!. shrek, and the sick stranger fell
ack insensible.
The restoratives I administered only
rought partial return Of conscience