Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-03-15

began Goddard; but If were to
make special request would you al
low me to makesa confession to YOU
to unburden conscience that is tot.
tering on the verge of spiritual de-
spair?" ~ - .-, 49,. Il. +
b. '.You know should listen to any.
thing you said, dear friend. as would
to the trouble of a brother" \.
Goddard drew himself up in his
chair. - !
Il am hungering for something
else,'' said he. II have heard that .
confession made in due form under
the rules Of your church really does
help men maddened by the conse-
quences of-of their crimes. want
that adv atever it is. l want it if
you can by any hook or crook get it
for me-
IF you have done wrong, God will
pardon it," answered the priest, bend
ing forward and sympat hetically look
ing into the face Of his visitor, THE
pardon of God is the most beautiful
law of the universe. You can get it.
You have it now, for see that YOU
have already repented as deeply as
man can"
Goddard laughed harshly.
''Wait until tell you my story" he
said.
II am ready to hear it,
II dislike to begin it, because I
know that you will never look at me
in the old way again." said the ma
jor; "but to know that I have con-
aded my agony to some one will help
little"
Nothing you have done could make
me feel differently towards you, my
old friend, so go ahead. I feel that
God will let me help you. I think I
have helped every soul that has ever
confessed to me-"
Then in low, uneven voice Goddard
told the story of his first love for his
ward, his intention of making her his
wife.
"Ah, I remember that WE'LL" put in
Father Surtees. II remember when
you first came to me in your boyish
enthusiasm and told me about her.
Then you remember, when you intro.
duced me to her, how her rare beauty,
her wonderful personality swept me
off my feet in admiration. Why, old
man, I felt like shouting for joy when
you told me she was to ne your wife,"
'sThen I met the other" said God
dard.
'Ah, yes, you met the other!" The
eyes of the priest were fixed on the
rug at his feet. And as the major
began the second part of his recital,
and plunged into the details of
Jeanne's plot, Father Surtees' face
seemed to turn to bronze in the fitful
CLEANS of the burning Goals. He sat
listening with clenched hands, his fine
features almost awry from the mental
strain upon him.
''Merciful God!" he exclaimed.
II knew you would be quite unpre-
pared for my disclosure" said God
dard. you see, even your church
can't undertake to palliate such stu
pendous offenses against human law
and order"
| And you say you now love
Blanche?" said the priest.
"As I never dreamt Iscould love-
| it has been a revelation of all the
forces of tenderness which lay DOR
mant in me. There is but one sou-
ton I can make Of it, and that is that
God has visited this love upon me as
the only adequate purishn ent for my
crime. I tell you there is hell.
am in it. I had rather undergo the
physical pangs Of an eternity in burn
ing flames than to bear this a month
longer"
Father Surtees clasped his quivering
hands between his knees.
'God have mercy on you," he said.
''Poor, poor Blanche! l have never
FRIEND"
For about five minutes nothing
more was said. Then Goddard broke
the Stiffness"
II have thought of suicide,'' he said.
'"That could rot possibly help you
or her." Declare. the priest.
II am withheld even from that cow.
arQly act because the shock would Kill
her. Don't you see how I am buffeted
about by the consequences of my
crime?''
II see 1 see. And for the same rea.
son you cannot tell her that she is not
your wife,"
mo, that would kill her. DR.. Flem-
ing said she would not be able to bear
the slightest shock or excitement" -.
when did you see him."
II have not seen him since he exam.
ined Blanche"
'How did you find out that Blanche
has .this-this terrible disease?" .
II, have just told you that Jeanne
told me that Dr.. Fleming had con.
fided 1t to her. de enjoined it on her
to keep it even from me, and by all
means from Blanche
"Ah!" Father Surtees' brows were
knitted together. AS he uttered that
exclamation he rose and began to
walk back and forth across the room.
Suddenly he turned and stood over