Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-12-19

know that | exist, yet how idle the
words must sound to you! For your life
Is SO full to OVERLOOKING of every good
gift of fortune-nay let me say, every
good gift of God. for fortune is blind,
but God, seeing how worthy you are Of
| these things, has given them to you in
| such abundant measure that there is no
| room for anything that ! can do. 1t
seems hard to owe so much and to be
able to give nothing; yet there is a
| sweetness even in that If one cannot
give. the next best thing is to take,
| from-from one so gentle, so noble, so
worthy of a mans best homage as your
| self
He had no idea how his voice was be-
traying him in the treacherous twilight
that threw its soft veil of shadow into
the pillared archway where they stood.
| At the last sentence he stopped himself
abruptly and substituted other words
| for the passionate ones that trembled
| upon his tongue, but, as his voice fell,
there was minutes silence that seemed
still to vibrate with the deep thrill OF
feeling in his tones
Zarifa. standing motionless In her
clinging black draperies, with her statue
like face and her eyes of soft gloom, had
asked herself at one mcment what she
should do. But it war My for a mo-
ment. She had felt til next instant
how entirely unconscious $ his be-
trayal and the strong sell 'Astraint
which was evident in his last -ords
touched her deeply She had to r., Sc
for a moment to initiate that self I,
straint before she could answer Then
she said, with something wistful in the
sweet music of her tones:
You are little wrong. No life can
be so prosperous, so we'll filled with the
good gifts of God, that there is not
room in it for the kindness of a friend
have been able to save your life. That
is true. But it was an accident Some
day you may be able to do for me what
will outweigh it as much as an act of
deliberate intention outweighs an act of
impulse. And if Motif the opportunity
is not given to you for one does not
make these things for ones self shall
know at least that you have the will to
serve me, and that is enough"
Surely" he said, moved almost be-
yond his power of self control, yet quiet
ed, too, by those exquisitely gentle
|
my life belongs to you; you may never
have any use for it-that is most likely
but nevertheless at any time you sum-
moned me, though it were from the end
Of the world. to do your bidding be-
ieve me, should come.
Il do believe it," she said, thrilled by
the passion of his tone. But let US say
no more of this. All is understood, il
not expressed. |. too, have thanked God
for your safety And now must &C
and find how it is with that poor creature
in the hospital"
He could not utter another word, but
he walked by her side across the court ir
the lovely twilight stiffness. and at the
entrance they met Padre Francisco. He
paused at sight of them, and Zarifs
looked into his pale, moved face with E
startled entreaty in her eyes.
He has made his confession" said the
priest, land he has promised to repeal
the part relating to his attempts on Seno1
Derwent's life to the proper officials
They are taking his testimony now, anc
it exonerates Senior Barrera entirely
But he is sinking fast"
"Ah, my God!' said Zarifa putting
her hand to her heart.
Padre Francisco extended a gentl,
; hand and laid it on her arm. my child,
he said gravely, stop and think what ;
good thing such an end as this is TO
him. What is the natural life when i
is spent in forgetfulness of God ant
, stained SO deeply with crime that VIC
lent death at any moment might sent
I the soul into perdition7 When such
life as that ends. by the mercy Of God
, with contrition. with penitence ant
with reparation is it not something TO
which to be devoutly rejoiced2 Try t.
look at things by the higher light-th
: light Of Gods eternal purposes You
) promptness and your courage saved
life. You are grateful for that, know
r But, believe me-and | speak who hav
seen the depths Of this poor soul-yo1
r should be far more grateful that you
bullet has saved soul Never nigh
such a grace have come to him other
5 wise-the grace that sends him forth t.
t the bar of eternal justice contrite, alb
solved and fortified by the sacraments
8 Come with me now. am going to tn
, church for the holy eucharist