Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-01-09


real criminal That is the only hope"
ut seems a slender one," said Der
went.
He knew that it did not in any degree
rest with him, however; SO he sat by,
smoking and watching the changing
shadows over the wide plain with its
luminous horizon, while the others talked
in Spanish of probabilities and chances
which they alone understood. Presently
Padre Francisco, passing under the ar
cade, paused at the open window for a
few words with the group. Don Mau-
rizio and Senor Barrera each asked his
advice on the subject they were discus
sing; he spoke with them for some min
utes, and then, turning, said to Der
went:
"Since you cannot do any more here,
senior, and since it is not very amusing
to listen to a conversation in foreign
language, suppose you come with me.
1t may interest you to look over my
library. have good many English
books"
with much pleasure" said Derwent,
rising with sense of relief
Joining the padre, they walked along
the arcade and presently turned into an
entrance which led to a small and very
charming court surrounded by clois-
terlike arches and full of cloister-
like quiet. Not sound broke the per-
feet stiffness here. A few doves were
walking about the pavement in the CEN
ter of the quadrangle, while the deep
blue sky looked down as if ON something
shut away from the world and open only
to God.
ut is like bit of monastery or con-
vent" said Derwent, glancing around.
The priest smiled There is the
church." he said, indicating a large,
pointed doorway opposite; ''and here
are my apartments close at hand, COM
municating with the sacristy. Enter,
senor."
Derwent found himself in sitting
room which had mingled religious and
scholarly atmosphere. The deep win
dows looked out on the distant hills; the
floor was laid in tiles like all the rest of
the house; the walls were almost entirely
faced with shelves filled with books, and
large writing table was also partially
covered with volumes, as well as with
many sheets of manuscript. while i'm
mediately opposite the large chair that
stood by it was tall crucifix, the ex-
quisitely carved ivory figure of which
was thrown into relief by the polished
ebony of the cross. In the few vacant
spaces on the walls two or three de-
votional pictures hung-notably beau
tiful Madonna and head of st. Francis
of Assist Beyond, through curtained
doorway, was a glimpse of chamber
simple in its arrangements as a monks
cell
What an ideal spot for scholar or a
saint, padre Mol" said the young man,
with smiling glance around.
TOO ideal, have often thought"
answered the priest gravely. Saints
are not made in fowery places, and
| Mirahores deserves its name in all re-
spects | could not reconcile it to my
conscience to stay here if were not
under obedience. But my superiors
think it good place for me- There is
certainly great deal to do. not only on
the hacienda, but elsewhere; for since
the banishment of the religious orders
the parish priests are not able to attend
to all the needs of the people. And
then have leisure in which to write"
"You write for publications" asked
Derwent, looking at the workmanlike
aspect of the table.
"Yes; that is part of my work-after
the care of souls. which is, indeed, in
cluded in it.
"You write, presume, on religious
topics"
"Can you tell me any great topic into
which religion does not enter?" asked the
other, with a smile. 81 write on the
social, the political, the philosophical
questions of our times, into all of which
religion enters deeply and vitality. But
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 noted English writer,
even the most advanced" and destruc-
tive in 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 books?" he asked,
unable to keep his surprise out of his
voice, as he took down one of the most
noted 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 nc
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
guages9"
"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 d