The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-12-22

|
were extinguished, the church was
empty Of its worshippers, and the doors
shut in pale and trembling child hid
den in a dark corner. Fanciful and
highly strung, it needed all the cour-
age Of Herry to carry out her intention.
Up the aisle she moved with shaking
limbs, and looked fearfully at the colors
which the moonlight radiated through
the painted windows. Before the altar
swung lamp of red glass, which burnt
like an evil and menacing star in the
profound gloom. The crimson ray
struck sparkle from the tall cross,
and the warm, heavy scent of the in
cense clung round chancel and altar.
Upon the marble steps in the darkness
Herry sank upon her knees and with
folded hands addressed her petition to
the Rock of the Church. to the a postle
of the Gentiles.
| CHAPTER II.
In the sacristy Joun kilvert linger-
ed long after the conclusion of the Mass
and talked to Father Vaux, who was
his confessor at the Court The law
yer was an elderly man, with shrunk-
en- frame and pain-drawn face; but his
keen bright eyes showed that his spirit
was unsubdued by physical pain and
undaunted by the shadow Of death
which lay visibly upon him. Indeed,
while conversing with the priest he re-
ferred to his approaching end with dry
composure.
"This will he the last midnight Mass
you will celebrate for me, Father"
said he grim!y. "a few months will
see the end of me-"
~ suppose there is no hope?'' said
the priest with plying glance.
"None. My disease is incurable.
Well if die, l die"
"But not at peace with all mankind
Mr.. Kilvert"
The lawyer laughed bitterly. "You
mean womankind. Father; you refer to
Dora Fortescue."
"Dora Tawleigh, my son." correct
the good Father with some dryness.
"No-not TawleigL! Never shall l
| give her the name of the man who
stole her from me. However," added
Kilvert savagely. II have made him
suffer for his treachery."
"And her Also" commented Vaux.
For moment or so kilvert was 81
lent.
II am sorry for her, "sail he, after
4 pause; ''but as she made her bed, so
she must lie on it She treated me
cruelty"
''My son. observed Vaux, softly,
"we have always differed on that point
as you know. Twaleigh was in love
with the lady as we'll as you; and he
won her in fair and open manner"
''To reduce her to beggary!' growl-
ed kilvert. "She and her children
have been paupers these many years"
"And whose fault is that, Mr. Kill
vert?"
"Nobody's fault, Father, but my
work. 1t was my right to foreclose
those mortgages; but had Dora marri-
ed me l should not have done so. AS
it is, she became Tawleigh's wife and
reduced him and herself to q pauper-
ism. He has been miserable the last
| fifteen years and has had to work hard
for bare subsistence. Now, | hear,
he takes himself and his family to
starve in London"
"And can you calmly think Of the
woman you loved starving in London
with her innocent children?"
| ''It is her own fault"
"But not the fault of the chill
dren."
"They must suffer for the sins of
their father, then"
"John kilvert," said the priest
sternly, ~ tell you the father commit
ed no sin; he Won the hand cf Dora
Fortescue in fair and honorable way.
1t is you who have committed the sin,
by robbing-aye, robbing him of house
and lands! But it is not too late for
you to make reparation.'
"Reparation!' echoed the awy er
"Do you know what you are saying,
my good Father? | have no children,
no relatives; and as you know, | have
willed Tawleigh Court and Tawleigh
lands to the Holy Church. Would
you have me deny my wealth to the
| Church -
Il would have you restore what you
have taken unjustly," replied the priest
coldly. "Oh, yes; l know that all you
did was done in Il legal fashion; all the
same, it was robbery, and if you are
wise, You will give back house and
lands to Tawleigh and his family
"kilvert rose and laughed harshly
81 may do so,' said he in scof1ing
manner, "when 4 mirat lie occurs to bid
me act in that way. Till then, MotL ey
Church shall inherit. my property.
Come, Father, let us return home for
supper"
The priest sighed, and putting on
his hat, followed kilvert TO the little
door which led from sacristy to
church. As the lawyer opened it he
| ,nl ho ,,,;oet in ,,,ut,,1 cur-