Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-04
PERE SEVERN WAS sILENC ED.
The Tender Story of n Good Man and
Weak Woman.

The Tender Story of n Good Man and =
Weak Woman.
The rustic OF the crisp skirts and q
subdued murmur OF voices from the
cool shadows OF the cathedral corridors
announced that some OF the worshipers
still fingered. A few women were
grouped near the vestibule that led to
the confessional. AS from time to time
they turned their eyes towards the gild-
edgrille an odor OF white rose an d
geranium was diffused from their gar
ments and mingled with the oder OF in
cense that still fingered in the air.
They had been standing thus for half
an hour with i'll concealed impatience
women OF the better class one might
imagine from the ivory and amber ros-
aries they carried and velvet prayer
books with old silver clasps.
The duty OF confession to-day had sspe-
cial interest. They were curious to have
an interview with the new priest OF
whom so much had been written and
said. He was little known in France,
this same Pere SEVERN, but much had
been published about his work. He
was still a young man; he had served
the church for barely three years. In
that short time he had labored among
the wild tribes of Algeria, and twice
narrowly escaped martyrdom at the
hands OF the Amazons and Dahomey.
They spoke at home OF a scarlet hat Tor
him.
A futter among the skirts, q gust Of
worldly perfume-Pere SEVERN awaited
another penitent She came forth tim
idly from the shadows OF one OF the
fluted pillars. The other ladies had
not noticed her presence. She was so
sliSht and the corridor was dim. They
looked at her frowningly as an intruder.
She advanced slowly toward the con-
fessional with faltering steps, sobblng
softly, her face hidden in awhile batiste
handkerchief. She was all in black,
vet the natural coquetry OF woman OF
the world was displayed in the arrange
ment OF her curling brown hair and
toque OF China crepe.
The short dress permitted view OF
two small feet in morocco shoes, with
high Louis Quinze heels. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY her first visit to the coniessor,
and she had made some concessions In
her costumes to suit the occasion.
Arrived before the confessional, she
hesitated and looked around, as If seek
ing q way to escape. She raised her dim
med ewes and saw through the gildea
bars the shaved head OF the priest bent
in PRAYER. A yellow shaft Of light fell
upon he figure OF Christ on the wall
above him. She bowed her head and
entered.
The priest slowly raised his face and
his soft ewes fell on the penitent kneel-
ing before him. She did not look up;
she was too ashamed. Here face was
still hidden In her handkerchief-the
sobs shook her slender form.
Speak. my daughter" he said, gent
". lay the burden Of your sins at the
feet OF God. His mercy and love are
eternal, he will dry your tears-speak
Then with her fsce still hidden in
her handkerchief she spoke, 80 low he
had to bend his head to listen.
81 know cannot hope for mercy now.
Il Is too late. But will tell you all.
And you shall judge. God shall-f
years OF penitence can atone for such q
sin Is mine"
''Go on"
1.-THE story is long one"
81 will listen"
She began in quivering voice, bro
ken with sobs.
81 was the only daughter Of . good
man now dead. From child l have
been petted, humored, spoiled. When
I grew to be q woman was silly, vain,
extravagant, fond Of admiration and
dress. Ny lovers were many, they
amused me. Most OF them had no
hearts to break. They were men OF the
world who soon forget their old wounds
In . Whirl Of pleasure But one-OusOl