The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-28
HIS FIRST PENITENT.
BY KATHLEEN MATHEW.
Copyright, 1899. by Kathleen Mathew.
PART l.
Duty vs.. Justice,


in New York city.
1t was hot, oppressive August night.
The air was heavy with electricity that
would not burst and sweep some of the
awful humidity from the atmosphere.
In the rectory adjoining the church the
pastor and his two domostics, an old
housekeeper and man servant, had. in
accordance with their usual custom, gone
TO bed quite early.
But FIR darcy, the young curate. still
sat at his study window, looking out at
the night or seeming to do so.
He was a very handsome man, with the
kind Of face that men trust and women
love. The kind of face that haunts one
who has once seen it. because of some
thing strangely prophetic in the eyes.
This something it is hard to define, but
most people have felt it at times.
There are eyes with nothing behind
them. You feel that tomorrow they will
90 out forever.
But these other eyes, the prophetic ones.
seem to foreteiI an Immortal futurty,
here or in other worlds. Who knows2
Only with or without reason you feel sure
that somewhere, forever, they will con-
tinue 10 see. Fr d'Arcy's eyes were OF
this order. In color they were gray and
deep set, with heavy dark brows and
lashes. The nose was straight and strong
with clean cut sensitive nostrils. The
mouth. large and full, might have been
sensuous, had not years of ascetic training
drawn and changed its lines. The head
was superbly shaped and built on the
shoulders II was covered with heavy
masses of dark curling hair, worn close
cropped almost to tonsorial severity.
But any one. who could have gazed into
the young priests face on this particular
night, would have noticed nothing but its
expression, which denoted intense mem
tai agony. Horror fear, resolve, doubt,
despair all swept over the features in
turn. One chased the other but 10 re-
turn again, like the spokes of an eyer
revolving wheel.
Two months before Henry Arthur OAR
cy had completed his long clerical course.
and, amidst the imposing ceremonies or
the Catholic Church, had been solemnly
ordained a priest.
On the day of his ordination, as he lay
PROSTATE at the foot of the altar before
uttering the last vows of conservation,
were reflected on the camera of his mind!
The good he would do! The wonders
he would accomplish in the world!
Like another SaVonarola, he would wage
war against the superstition that made a
serfdom of Gods service.
Single-handed and alone. he would sweep
from the eyes of the multitude the cob
webs of credulty, which impeded their
progress. He had found the light and
he wanted all the world to enter into the
grand curve of It's orbit And PERHAPS
some day-involuntariy his eyes wander
ed to the episcopal throne, where his grace
the archbishop sat in mitred and regal
dignity. Henry Arthur darcy was an
ambitious man. with a power loving and
powerful nature
Immediately after his ordination, he
was appointed TO the curacy of ST. Sc
bastian's Church.
He had entered on his duties there with
much ardor and enthusiasm.
But before one week had seen him al
his post an extraordinary change took
place in the young priest.
This change dated from a Saturday aft
ernoon in June, when for the first time
he took his seat In the confessional, to ex-
ereise the enormous power of his ministry
TO hold or retain the sins of his fellow
man.
He had entered the tribunal with the
courage and sanctty of a young Ignatius
but after having heard the confession of
his first penitent, he mad Immediately left
the confessional and sent word that he
would hear no more confessions that arr
ernoon. From that moment he was an
altered man. He grew silent and per-
formed his priestly duties with a dun
apathy, strangely contrary to his former
ardor
on this hot August night, as he sat at
his window looking out with unseeing gaze
could the brush Of some artist have seized
the expression on his face, that painters
fame and fortune We're assured. In ii Law
a drama such as no Hugo or Lardon has
ever yet told.
IL looked as if IL had lived through Inc
tragedy of each human life, "since man
was born to sorrow, as the sparks fy up-
ward, and each had left its trace. not in
scar or wrinkle, but in the fathom;ess. ag-
ony OF the eyes and tensity of the lines
around the mouth.
For the monotonous agony of mind
which for two long months had wracked
the young priest there seemed to be no
respite. Day and night the same thoughts
were always recurring and giving birth
20 the same arguments. certain apa-
thetic heaviness seemed to hang around
did not bear on the awful problem which
was creating schism in his mind be-
tween duty and justice.
Two o'clock struck, and then 3. and
presently a sickly gray dawn light stole
into the room and gave form and palpa-
bidty 70 the objects it touched
The man of sorrows looked down from
the ebony cruciflX over the mantel
Did he know of the agony in his disci-
pies heart? Perhaps. but he gave no sign.
On the wall over the bed. Guido's beautiful
Madonna looked externally upward. with
her heart-broken, tear-iilled eyes AS the
light grew stronger, the young priest look
ed up and into those eyes.
He thought: IF they would but lool,
down into mine, they might give me coun-
sci, tell me how 10 act. whether to keen
stiil, and true to my oath OF eternal 81
lence and perhaps go mad beneath the
burden of my secret. Or would they conn.
sci me 70 scatter vows Of holy church Ia
the winds and see justice ride triumphant
through dark places2"
Perhaps the Virgin understood. and the
woman in her throhbed 10 his SUFFERING
for, presently a g.eam of light-the FIRST in
weeks-shot through his mind.
Why not go ana seek council of biphe,
mowers in This dark hour ~ ctr,,..-,