The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-22
THR QUALITYOF MERCY
A Story Of Contemporary
American Life.
By WILLIAM DEAN HOWElLS.
Copyright 1901. BY ". D. Howsnss
SEC0N ID PART.
CHAPTER VII.

aeptlemauly decorum and grave reposo OF
manner masked a complete ignorance OF the
things that interest cultivated people. and
That no was merely and purely business man.
Pigment OF commercial civilization. with only
tho crudost tastes and ambitions outside Of
tho narrow circle Of money making. Ho found
that he had pleasure in horses and cattle.
and from hints which Northwick let fall. re-
carding his life at home. that he was fond OF
having farm and conservatory with rare
plants. But tho flowers were possessions. not
passions: he did not speak OF them as IL they
Afforded him any artistic or scientific delight.
Tho young priest learned that he had put
good deal OF money In pictures: but then tho
pictures seemed to have become Investments.
and Of the nature Of stocks and bonds. Ho
found that this curious American did not care
to read tho English books which Bird offered
to lend him out Of tho little store OF gifts aud
accidents accumulated in tho course OF years
from bountiful or forgetful tourists: the books
IN French p1ro Etienne proposed to him.
Northwick said no did not know how to read.
Ho showed 10 liking for music. except u littlo
for tho singing OF Birds niece. virginie. but
when thc priest thought he might Gu % to under
stand that she sang the ballads which the first
yoyagers had brought from France into the
wilderness. or which had sprung out Of the
Joy and sorrow OF its hard life. he saw that the
TACT Sulu nOtilHE 10 NOTtlWlCks anu tnaC IL
rather embarrassed him. The American
could not take part in any Of those discussions
Of abstract questions which the priest and tho
old woodsmun delighted in. and which they
sometimes tried to make him share. He ap-
rurently did not know what they meant. 1t
was only when Pore Etienno gave him up as
the creature OF q civilization too ugly and arid
to be borne. that he began to love him as u
brother: when no could make nothing Of
Northwicks mind. he conceived tho hope Of
saving his soul.
Pere Etienne felt sure that Eorthwick had a
soul and he had his misgivings that 1t was u
troubled one. He. too. had heard Of the Amer
iran defauter. who has celebrity Of his own
10 Canada penetrating to different men with
different suggestion. and touching here and
there pure and unworldly heart. such as Pere
Etienne boro in his breast, with coinmisera-
ton. The young priest did not conceive very
clearly OF the make and manner Of the crime
he suspected tho elusive and mysterious
straneer Of committing. but he imagined that
tho great sum Of money he knew him possessed
Of was spoil OF some sort. and no believed that
Northwicks hesitation to employ it in any way
was proof OF un uneasy conscience in its pos
session.. Why had he come to TINT lonely place
in midwfnter with treasure such as that, and
why did he keep the money by him. instead Of
putting it in u bank Pere Etienne talked
these questions over with Bird and the doctor.
and he could find onyRne answer to them.
He wondered il he ought not to speak to North
wick. and delicately offer him the chance to
unburden his mind to such II friend as only
rriest could be to such u sinner. But he could
not think Of any approach sufficiently delicate.
Northwick was not Catholic. and the Church
lad no hold upon him. Besides. he had GER
tain pausibility and reserve OF demeanor
that forbade suspicion. well as
the intimacy necessary to the good
which Pere Etienne wished to do the
lonely and silent man. Northwick was in
those days much occupied with piece OF
writing. which he always locked carefully into
his bag when he left his room. which lie
copied In part or in whole again and again.
burning the rejected drafts in the hearth fro
that had now superseded the stove. and stir
ring the carbonized paper into ashes. SO that
no word was left distinguishable on it.
Ono day there came up the river a bateau
from Tadousac. bringing the news that the ice
was all out of the st. Lawrence. 1t will not
be long time. now" said Bird before We be-
gin to see you countrymen. The steamboats,
come to Ha!Ha! Bay In the last Of June
Eorthwick responded to tho words with no
visible sensation. His sphinx-like reticence
vexed Bird more and more. and intoerabiy
deepened the mystilcation Of his failure to do
any Of the things with his apital which Bird
had promised himself and his fellow citizens
He no longor talked OF going to Chicoutimi
that was true. and there was not the danger OF
his putting his money into Markham's enter
prise there: but neither did no show any inter-
est or any curiosity concerning Birds disccv-
cry Of the precious metal at Ha !Ha! Bay. Bird
had his delicacy as we'll as Pere Etienne.a aud he
could not thrust himself upon his guest, even
with the intention OF making their fortune.
A fsw days later there came to Pere Etienne
letter which. when he read 1t. superseded
the interest in Northwick which Bird felt
gnawing him like perpetual hunger. 1t was |
from the cure at Rimouski. where Pere |
Etienne's family lived. and 1t brought word |
that his mother. who had been In failing |
health all winter. could not long survive and |
30 greatly desired to see him. that his corre-
spondent had asked their superior to allow |
him " replace Pore Etienne at Ha!Ha! Bay. |
while he came TO visit her. Leave had been |
given. and Pare Etienno might expect his |
friend very soon after his letter reached him.
Where Is Rimouski?' Northwick asked. |
when he found himself alone with the priest |
that evening.
1t is on the ST. Lawrence. It Is the last and |
first point whore the steamers touch In going |
and coming between Quebec and Liverpool"
Pere Etienne had been weeping. and his heart |
was soitened aud embodened by the anxiety |
till went to make my studies In the Laval |
University 1t Is going home for me. Perhaps |
they will let me remain there" He added. by /
an irresistible impulse Of pity and love. Il
wish you were going home too. Mr.. Warwick"
Il wish were!' said Northwick. with q
heavy sigh. But can't-yet."
This is desert for you." Pere Etienne |
pressed on. II can see that have seen how |
solitary you are"
va mil oil nd fad
My son." said the young priest to the man |
who was old enough to be his father. and he |
put bis hand on Northwick's. where 1t lay OH |
his knee. as they sat side by side before the |
fire. lis there something you could wish to say |
to me? Something might do to help you"
In moment all was open between them. and |
they knew each others meaning. YES" said |
Northwick. and he felt the wish to trust In the |
priest and to be ruled by him we'll up like a |
La hail al Ia hi - Il u, hal