The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-08

he rose to his feet and went to the front OF
the confessional, where for one moment he
paused and then he put his hand behind
the sheltering curtain and flung in small
bundle, which fell on the priests knee
saying as he did it, "There Restitution
is made! You saved my body last year;
you have saved my soul this !"
Having received absolution, slowly and
humbly, and with head bent down in
shame, he began to creep out of the church
So noiselessly did he move-so earnestly
engaged in conversation were they that
two men, sitting with their backs turned
to him on a bench near the door, were
Unaware of his approach. One was speak
ing very earnestly in a very low voice, but
Proctor caught the words, "Offertory
money" and paused to listen.
"I can't help thinking that we ought to
have known that there was something
wrong about it before"
Even in this dark corner he recognized
that Mr. Blencowe was the speaker, and
that his companion was Mr.. Vickers.
aOther people will say that besides you, y
said Mr.. Vickers.
"Thats what I am afraid of! Is there
any one whom you suspect y
"No, not unless it is that hangdog-look
ing fellow whom Father Urquhart has been
SO kind to"
"What, Proctor?''
ayes, Proctor [ can't abide the fel-
low His knees knock against each other
as he walks, his teeth seem to be dropping
out of his mouth as he talks, he is loosely
knit together both in body and mind, and
might shuttle or stumble into any wicked
ness"
"He certainly has been launching ont
lately in a most surprising way in that shop
of his"
Proctor had heard enough, and left the
church at once. They sat where they
were. They had come to clear the boxes
50 much before the appointed time, that
there was no chance of finding Father
Urquhart in the sacristy for at least half
an hour longer. Desire to learn the result
of his experiment with the marked money
had made Mr. Blencowe restless, and he
had come early and made Mr.. Vickers
come too. The marked money was, Of
course, not to be seen. There was, indeed,
very little money of any kind to be seen,
and yet to both the collectors knowledge
some large offerings had been made.
About twenty five minutes later woman
left the confessional, and as no one came
to take her place, Father Urquhart, who
up to this time had not been able to stir
from the spot, rose to replace the stolen
money in the alms-box without further
delay.
"His Reverence is coming, Blencowe, u
whispered Mr.. Vickers. "Let us go to
the sacristy." But they were kept in
their places by what they saw.
Two steps led down from the confes-
sional, and Father Urquhart, in soutane
and stole, and with the packet Of stolen
money in his hand, was Just descending
them, when a policeman, who with the
sacristan had been standing half-concealed
by pillar, came quietly forward, touched
the priests arm, and said in a low voice
"You must come with me, sir. You are
charged with robbing the poor-box."
Father Urquhart started, turned as pale
as death, and the bundle he held in his
hand dropped from it and fell heavily tc
the ground.
II i Who charges
II do" said the saeFislan, coming from
behind the pillar, and never in his life had
he walked more firmly or spoken with such
decision.
"You Oh, my God r.
aeCaHatable," said the sacristan, ~ give
his Reverence in charge. saw him COM
nit the robbery not an hour ago" "You
scoundrel !" cried the priest, who was
trembling from head to foot. "You most
miserable scoundrell Policeman
and then he stopped, and his expression
changed to one Of absolutely blank dismay,
for he had remembered what in the first
shock of amazed excitement he had for
gottep, that all which could serve as his
own Justification had been impaired to him
under seal of confession, and that not one
single word Of it must ever pass his lips.
The look which he cast on Proctor made
the man quail It was seen by more than
the police constable, for Mr. Blenoowe
and Mr.. Vickers had drawn near.
ssYou have been kind to me, know, +"
said Proctor, "but | did see you doing it. !"
"Constable," began Father Urquhart,
al r
'luust warn yon TO be careful what
you say, sir, for it viii be used in evidence. '
aEvidence There is no evidence
against me-there can be none. am in
nocent So help me God, lam innocent. "
"No evidenced cried Proctor. "No
evidencel What was it that your ReveF-
enpe dropped in such . fright when the
constable came up and charged you with
the robbery? That may have been the
money for anything that We know, and if
it was, won't that be evidence ?"
''The man must be mad r. said Mr..
Blencowe, and then he turned to the
4 IL a