Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-11-05

II did not bring You here to talk of my
self or my work Come these are my
English books.
He walked up to division of the en-
circling shelves. and Derwent was sur
prised to find himself confronted with
the works of every no;sd English writer.
even the most advanced" and destruc-
tive III their tendencies: apostles of free
thought were ranged by the side of Ro-
man cardinals and all the brilliant
modern essayists were well represented.
do you read these booksy he asked.
unable to keep his surprise out of his
voice. as he took down one of the most
roted volumes of skeptical literature,
Certainly" answered the padre
How could feel the pulse of the times
otherwise? A physician must under
stand the disease for which he is to pre-
scribe. But | confess that have no
very high opinion of your English think
ers They are iconoclastic enough but
they have neither the logic of the French
nor the scholarship of the Germans.
"You understand both Of those Ian
guages?"
''Oh. yes; here are my French books
and here are my German. Perhaps they
may interest you.
what interests me more are these, :
said the young man. walking over to a
range of vellum bound Latin volumes
"There must be some rare old editions
here.
"Yes-if yon care for such things
very rare and fine" said the priest, with
his dark eyes shining What does a
scholar and a lover of books like better
than to find some one who can sympa-
thize with his passion and appreciate the
value and rarity Of his treasure? Volume
after volume was lovingly taken down.
exhibited and dilated upon-all Of them
valuable. many Of them SO rare as to be
worth more than their weight in gold
While they We're thus occupied time flew
by unheeded: the shades of color on the
distant hills had changed many times.
and its mantle Of golden sunshine was
fading from the plain. when the sound Of
a bell suddenly ringing ont on the silence
of the court made Padre Francisco start.
''Ah," he said. putting down the vol
ume which he held, "that is my sum
mons. Tomorrow is a feast. and we
have the vespers this evening Do You
care TO 20 into the church. senorg 1t is
well worth seeing, the interior Of our
church Go, then, across the court and
enter by the door showed YOU
Derwent willingly obeyed. Crossing
the court. where the doves at his APP
proach rose in soft gray cloud above
the arches, against the sapphire sky. he
entered the door directed. and found
himself in region of mysterious gloom.
where only few starry lights here and
there dissipated the obseurity
Presently. when his eyes became more
accustomed to the twilight atmosphere.
he found that he had entered at the side
into a church much larger aud more
handsome than he had expected to find
1t seemed to him, indeed. that not even
in Mexico had he seen anything more
rich than the interior Of this hacienda
chapel. Beautiful tiles paved the wide
nave. where many dark forms were
kneeling - men praying with out
stretched arms, and women shrouded in
the folds Of their rebozos; fine carved
woodwork rose in fretted arches. and
around the high altar was a blaze of
gold-a splendid specimen of churriguer-
esque work. as he found later
On each side of the sanctuary lamps
Of exquisite design We're swinging; but.
as he looked. the tapers were lighted on
the altar. and its beauty was revealed
and enhanced by their soft radiance.
Padre Francisco entered with train Of
acolytes. and then. like the sound Of a
great Amen" an organ chord rolled out.
and the air was flooded with noble har-
monies.
Nothing can be more devotional than
such an evening service-especially In
Mexico. where the faith and fervor of
the people might move the coolest OBJ
server. Derwent found himself stirred
by sentiments altogether unwonted as
he leaned in his dark corner. and when
at length he heard the same rich. sweet
voice. that had haunted him since the
evening before. float out in the beautiful
strains Of the benediction hymns. it
seemed only part of the perfect harmo-
ny of sight. sound and emotion which
enthralled him.
CHAPTER XII