Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-14
A LIVING T0N.


 The cure, Father Aloysius, showed me everything which he thought would interest a stranger. As some slight re- turn for his kindness I asked him to lunch with me. We went to the hotel Very old, with snowy hair and face as ruddy as pippin of his province, my companion carried sunshine wherever he went He had a cheery greeting for all, and it was easy to see that all ven- erated him.
 ''Yes, monsieur, my people know me-" he said in answer to so ne remark. "Forty- years I Lave labored among them. It is almost lifetime. The church has called me often. My friends say might have been a bishop, but I could not leave"
 A group of men excitedly gesticulat- ing stood round the hotel door. They came to meet us hurriedly.
 ''Have you heard, father-have you heard:" they cried.
 ''No, my friends" he answered "What is the news?"
 Several spoke at once, but this is the gist of what they said:
 You know the old castle is sold? To a rich bourgeois-yes? The place is tum- ble down. He will have it repaired. Pierre Valois and Jean Prudhomme went with their tools this morning to take down some masonry. NJ. Grous- set, the purchaser-he was there too They found skeleton ill the wall.
 Sacred namev' cried the priest, white as a corpse. At Vallon? No Not a mile away? ImpossibleP'
 Ut is true"
 Father Aloysius turned to me. He shook like man with the ague.
 "YOu will pardon me, monsieur? I must go at once. This is a great discov- cry. will verify it and return.
 He hastened away. I lunched alone. It was o'clock when he came back, still pale and very subdued.
 ''I have been rude," he said. ''I crave again thousand pardons- could not tear myself away. Forty-seven years I have sought what chance has brought to light today. You shall hear.
 'Forty-seven years ago came to this village. had been asked to take charge of it i'll the absence of the cure. It was my second night here-so dark one could not see ones hand. Twas tired. had been visiting the sick. I lay down ill my soutane and slept. A loud knock. ing awOkc me.
 " 'Who is there?' I cried.
 |" Friends of the church, voice an, swered-
 'Iopencd the door. Two men entered, tall and well dressed I could not set their faces They wore masks.
 '' Are you the curc?' said the man who had answered me-a foreigner by his accent.
 II explained.
 '' No matter he said; one priest is as good as another. A man is dying. He wishes to receive dissolution. Will you go:'
 II hesitatcd. Will you explain why you wear those masks2' said
 He laughed It is the simplest thing in the world. We do not wish to b. recognized Now, will you go: You poor will benefit. '' I am ready replied
 "A carriage stood outside the door My poor lamp revealed it. I entered i with the spokesman. The other mount ed the box Many time. the carriag turned completely round. Doc. your companion not know tn way:' asked. '' It is very dark, was the reply.
 II have been reminded of the circum stances. apparently trivial, today. A the time I suspected nothing. I knoy now that the carriage was turned t confuse me. My companion was taci turn. He answered me No. Yes
 Many miles we travelled, 20 c more Two hours VIC had journeye when the carriage stopped in pave yard
 '''W 'We alight here,' said my moros companion.
 II followed him. The coachman d, scended. could not see him. I coul not distinguish the carriage.
 " Is it necessary to blindfold tn priest:' he asked.
 '' No, was the reply.
 Twas disquieted, but not afraid. poor monk need not fear robbers.
 t Give me your hand, said my fe low traveller
 II obeycd. He led me along a passae between nigh walls.
 ''Tho sounds told me. We crossed al other paved yard and climbed stor staircase. The apartment we entere was fiagged. My guide halted
 '' The priest is here, he said in loud voice. I saw nothing. His voiC echoed as if in an empty room of va size
 Where is the dying man? aske' Stand close to the wall He pla ed me in position Cold air struck II face-a draft There was a cavity, The priest is here, my guide repeated
 '.Then I heard another voice, vel faint, as of a man near death. Is alone:' it said. No answered. One of the me who brought me here stands beside me
 ''The poor wretch sighed
 I will retire, said my companio His footsteps sounded like those of ol walking in vault The dying mi heard
 'YUu are alone nOw?' he said
 Yes, answered. Speak on
 "He did so. An, monsieur, thoug l was dreaming.
 '' T am near death I need the Ia , rites of the church, he said
 Confess your sins, answered. My sins are trivial, he returne ,, I would speak of a great crime. IC cupy cell twice the width of my bod know not where. I am condemned =. die of starvatiOn- I know not why. have never injured fellow creature.
 My blood boiled Speak ou, I l peated & e. My name is Jules Davoust, he - stunned. I am of Caen and we'll know \ I was a happy man until met Sopl