The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-15
Copyright 1897, by 10 hn Langdon Heaton,)

are different now He have conflde A
the librarian alone. No other knew OF
the coming of the thiefs, and am pro-
mise not to say Of 1t, and you also,
gentlemans. 1t Is not well TO talk of
evil deeds, and / think the Prior would
wish you not to speak the two thlefs,
but he Is to polite to say that. What
he wish to know is how rich men in
the great world-how the American
millionaire of whom he has read
protect their treasures
"a time locks de hardes' to beat.
An dat's right, see?" responded the
man of business.
Il agree that more adequate protec-
tion ought to be provided for the con-
tents of the church and library" said
Morgan, who now found his tongue,
"and 1 think Ashby is right in rec
ommending a time lock. Indeed. there
are few men who are better authori-
ties on the subject"
"Youse are too blame modest" said
Ashby.
But time lock-" resumed the cour-
Ter. THE Prior does not understand
what 1t is. Nor can | explain"
Morgan was forced, albeit unwilling,
| to enter into an elaborate explana-
| llbIl VI llt pllnNlIlt VI lIt llIlle TUCK
and to answer number of inquiries
about it. AT last the Prior nodded sat-
| isfaction.
Now he understand" said the cour-
| Ter: mo one can get in at night: not
even the librarian himself. And by
day no thiefs would make attempt.
! The Prior thanks you very much, and
thinks you must know much about
| 1polyg M Of gr1p hpfDra has
made such wise an advice. And do
they make good time locks in Lon
don and Paris?"
yep" said Ashby; but dey amt
in it wit good oil New York"
81 should think, however" said Nor
gan, that you would be able to get
a sufficiently good one in Vienna.
| Doubtless the Greek consul there
,Nwould be glad to make the necessary
inquiries"
THE Prior thanks you the most
heartily and will long remember
your visit" said the courier after an
other lapse into Greek. HE feels that
his poor convent, has been highly
honored by the presence of such dis
tinguished guests from such a far
country And now, as you are doubt
less anxious to breakfast, he will not
! further delay you at present"
I I'VE will gladly retire, as the Prior
is doubtless anxious to begin his days
duties" said Morgan; but first I
would like to ask what became of
the" he moistened his lips nervous
ly-"of the two thieves"
"I, too, am curious" said the cou-
rier. "I will ask"
| When the quetion was repeated to
him the Prior put his hands upon the
arms of his chair and with an effort
struggled to his feet. Pointing his
finger straight at Morgan he said: II
said to them, as If / were speaking
to you, for they sat where you now
do"
He paused and slowly turned to in
clude Ashby in his glance.
II said to them: Go and sin no
more!"
Half an hour later, breakfast was
eaten and the travellers were ready TO
| set out. From some mysterious re-
treat the Greek peasant emerged to
carry the handbags and the roll Of
| blankets down the hill again. The
monks gathered about at the depar-
ture, the heads of the little commun-
ity to bid them Godspeed, the others
to look on. Only the librarian was alb
sent, and the two men caught them
selves wondering If he were not buisily
at work putting away his treasures be-
fore their disarray was noticed by any
othe eye. The Prior stood at the top
of the steep path and waved his hand
to them, as they passed behind a jut-
ting point of rock.
A moment later, turning again, they
came in view of the convent on the
cliff and the bell away above them
pealed out lusty note. Both men
started.
"Aha!" cried Dimitri "It is always
thus. When guests of such distinc-
ton leave the convent, they ring good
by on the bell, every time they come in
sight. You shall see, there down!
Each time you become visible, ding
dong dong go the bell. Is it not beau
tiful custom, my sirs? But / will has
ten to prepare the horses. You may
come more slow, If the walk pleases
you. 1t will be beotter for you"
The sky was cloudless. The sun
streamed down upon the fine Greek
hills, cut and torn and SCARED by
mountain torrents, and bare of tree or
verbage, save on the northern slope of
one far peak, where Clumps Of swart
evergreens clung. Away below them
the path descerned the cliff in loops
and zig-zags. Coming out again some
PAGES below from behind a point had
hid them from the convent they heard
once more the sweet greeting of the
! bell rung by some stalwart monk who
still stood watching their descent.
Ring away, W'iskers!" shouted
Ashby in a burst of forced merriment,
to hide deeper feeling. "Soun's bet
terer now dan it would last night, no.
l don't tink not. Say Jnoes or Nor
gan, or oxford Joe, or wotever yer
fav'rlt name is say, amt my OF pal
up dere a peach? Say, amt e got a
nerve? Amt e a darlin'? Say, amt
'e?"
Fainter and fainter to their ears
came the blessing of the bell at every
turn OF the path that brought them
into view of the water on the cliff. ,Ai
the last, they paused as If by common
consent and gazed back at the build
ing, now a tiny speck of gray against
, a brown rock, The rill, grown TO a
. rivulet, babbled at their feet almost
drowning the last greeting from the
belfry above
, THE END.