The record-union., 1897-10-03

EunS down IN front OF the confessional
A man was just moving away from the
pillar TO which the box was affixed.
Even in the semi darkness, the priest
had no difficulty in recognizing that
this man was Proctor, and his heart
began to beat so violently that it SEEM
ed impossible that it could be unheard
by the thief
Proctor paused-stood STILL then he
moved another step, and again stood
still, as if unable to go through with
something that he had intended to do.
Had he heard the beating of the priests
heart? Had he seen the slight move
ment of the curtain or had a great
fear come upon him that he was about
to fall into the hands of the living God?
Proctor stood still a minute longer
made one more step forward-hesitated
then, like one who had instantly TAX
en- an important resolution, he plunged
forward, vehemently exclaiming, as if
to himself, 'I can't do it, l can't do
it!'' and having rung the bell of the
confessional, fell on his knees to await
the arrival of the priest. But the
priest was there already so with sobs
and tears Proctor began his confiteor.
The sum of his confession was this.
Nine months before being in urgent
need of money, he had, with much diff
Guilty, procured a key which would serve
his purpose, and since then he had
habitually appropriated a part of the
offertory-at first a small part, then
nearly the whole
Restitution must be made" said the
priest sternly.
yes, restitution said Proctor, but
he had forgotten that that would be en-
forced, and was half mad with rage.
Unwillingly 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 cur
tain and flung in a small bundle, which
fell on the priests knee, saying as he
did it. There! Restitution is madel
You saved my body last year; you have
saved my soul thisi"
Having received absolution, slowly
and humbly, and with head bent down
in shame, he began to creep out of the
| church.
| So noiselesslx did he move-so earn
estiy engaged in conversation We're they
that two men, sitting with their backs
turned to him on a bench near the
door, were unaware of his approach. One
was speaking very earnestly in a very
low voice, but Proctor caught the
words "Offertory money" and paused
| to listen.
| L can't help thinking that we ought
TO nave known that there was something
wrong about it before"
| Even in this dark corner he recog-
nized that Mr.. Blencowe was the
speaker, and that his companion was
Mr.. Vickers
Other people will say that besides
you,'' said Mr.. Vickers.
THAT'S what I am afraid of Is
there any one whom you suspect?"
mo, not unless it is that hangdog-
looking fellow whom Father Urquhart
has been so kind to-"
What, Proctor?"
Eyes. Proctor. I can't abide the fel-
| lowi 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 wickedness."
He certainly has been launching out
lately in 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
| SO 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 mark
ed money had made Mr.. Blencowe rest
less. and he had come early and made
Mr.. Vickefs came 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 offer
ings had been made.
About twenty-five minutes later wo-
man left the confessional, and as no
one came to take her place, Father Ur-
quhart, who up to this time had not
been able to stir from the spot. rose to
replace the stolen money in the aims
box without further delay.
His Reverence is coming, Blencowe" !"
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 confess
SOutd0R
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-con-
cealed by pillar, came quietly for
ward, touched the prest's 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 to the ground.
Il! Il Who charges
! Il do" said the sacristan, ST give his
Reverence in charge. I 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 ex-
preston changed to one of absolutely
blank dismay, for he had remembered
what in the first shock Of amazed ex-
citement he had forgotten, that all
which could serve IS his own justifca-
ton had been impaired to him under
seal Of confession, and that not one sim
gle word of it must ever pass his lips
The look which he cast on Proctor made
the man quail. 1t was seen by more
than the police BILE, for Mr.. Blen-
cove and Mr.. Vickers had drawn near.
You have been kind to me, 1 know"
| said Proctor, "but I did see you doing
it,
Constable" began Father Urquhart,
Tt
Il must warn you to be careful what
VOu say sir for. II will he 11end IL, o,r;