The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-24
A LIVING TOMB.

In France. July found mo in the depart
ment Of Calvados, Normandy, at q vii
1age near Caen, q mine Of antiquities.
The cure, Father Aloysius, showed
me everything which he thought would
interest 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 ns a pippin of his province, my
companion carried sunshine wherever he
went. He had CHEEKY greeting for
all, and it was easy to see that all ven
Grated him.
Eyes, monsieur, my people know me, :"
no. said in answer to come remark.
"Forty seven years 1 have labored
among them. 1t is almost q lifetime.
The church has called me often. My
friends say l might have been bishop.
but 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.
mo, my friends" he answered.
''What is the nowsf'
Several spoke at once, but this is the
gist of what they said:
"You know tho old castle is sold? To
rich bourgeois--yes? The place is tum-
BILE down. He will have it repaired.
Pierre Valois and Jean Prudhomme
went with their tools this morning to
take down somo masonry. M. Circus
set, tho purchaser-he was there too.
They found a skeleton in the wall.
''Sacred namer' cried the priest,
white as a corpse. "At WALTON? No.
Not mile away? Impossiblel"
sit 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 great discov-
cry. will verify it and return.
He hastened away. lunched alone.
Itwas 4 O'Clock when he came back,
still pale and very subdred.
IT have been rude" he said. 81
crave again q thousand pardons. could
not tear myself away. Forty seven years
have sought what chance has brought
to light today. You shall hear.
( "Forty-seven years ago came to this
village / had been afked to take charge
of it in the absence of the cure. 1t was
my second night hcro-so dark one
could not see ones hand. Twas tired. I
had been visiting the sick. 1 lay down
in my soutane and slept. A loud knock
ing awoke me.
I" .Who is there?' cried.
be-" Friends Of the church, aveice an
swerad.
ST opened the doo-. Two men entered,
tall and well dressed. I could not see
their faces They wore masks.
g Are you the cure?' said the man
who had answered me-a foreigner by
his accent.
81 explained.
No matter, he said; 'one priest is
as good as another. A man is dying.
He wishes to receive absolution. Will
you go?'
81 hesitated. will you explain why
you wear those maslls?' said.
"He laughed. Tits the simplest thing
in the world. We do not wish to be
recognized Now, will you go? Your
poor will benefit.
I am ready, replied.
"a carriage stood outside the door.
Ny poor lamp revealed it. I entered it
with the spokesman. The other mount
ed tho box Many times the carriage
turned completely round
"'Does your companion not know the
wsy?' asked.
g 1t is very dark, was the reply.
81 have been reminded Of the ciroum-
stances, apparently trivial, today. At
the time l suspected nothing. know
now that the carriage was turned to
confuse me- My companion was tact
turn. He answered me NO, Yes.
"Many m;los we travelled, 30 or
more Two hours we had journeyed
when tho carriage stopped in q paved
yard.
I'VE alight here said my morose
companion.
x@.'I followed him. Tho coachman de-
seconded. l could not see him. could
not distinguish tho carriage
is it necessary to blindfold the
priest! no asked.
No, was the reply.
II was disquieted, but not afraid. A
poor monk need not fear robbers.
Give me your hand, said my fel-
low traveller.
II obeyed He led mo along passage
between high walls.
"The sounds told me. We crossed an
other paved yard and climbed stone
staircase The apartment we entered
was tagged My guide halted. !
+" The priest is here, he said in a
loud voice. l saw nothing. His voice
echoed as if in an empty room Of vast
size.
Where is the dying man.? asked.
Stand close to The wall. He plac-
cd mo in position. Cold air Struck my
face--a draft. There was cavity.
The priest 10 here, M guide repeated
''Then ] hoard another voice. very
faint, as of man near death. Is he
alone?' it said.
NO, answered. One Of the nell
who brought me here stands beside me-
"The poor wretch sighed.
+" L will reti@', said my companion.
His footsteps sounded like those of one
walking in vault. The dying man
heard.
g You are alone now? he said
I" Yes, answered. Speak on.