Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-03-23

TO unburden a conscience that is tot
tering on the verge of spiritual de-.
spair?"
you know I should listen to any
thing you said, dear friend, as 1 would
to the trouble OF brother"
Goddard drew himself up in his
chair.
81 am hungering for something
else" said he. 81 have heard that a,
confession made in due form under,
the rules of your church really does
help men maddened by the conse-
quences of-of their crimes. I want
that aid-whatever it is. l want it il
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 alphabetically look
ing into the face Of his visitor. The
pardon of God is the most beautiful
law OF the universe. You can get 1t.
You have 1t now, for L see that you
have already repented as deeply as
man can"
Goddard laughed harshly.
wait until tell you my story" he
said.
81 am ready to hear it,"
81 dislike to begin it, because I,
know that you will never look at me
in the old way again." said the ma
3or; "but to know that / have con-
hded 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. 1 feel that
God will let me help you. 1 think I
have helped every soul that has ever
confessed TO me-"
Then in a low, uneven voice Goddard
told the story of his first love for his
ward, his intention of making her his
wife.
"Ah, remember that WE'LL" put in
Father Surtees. 81 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 mo
OF my feet in admiration. Why, old
man, felt like shouting for Joy when
you told me she was to be your wife"
Then 1 met the other" said God
dard.
-Ah. yes, you met the otherI" 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 fin
features almost awry from the mental
strain upon him.
'Merciful Godl" he exclaimed.
81 knew you would be quite UMPIRE
pared for my disclosure" said God
dard. ''You see, even your church
cant undertake to palliate such stu
Pendous offenses against human law
and order"
sand you say you now love
Blanche?" said the priest.
CAS- never dreamt I could love
IT. has been . revelation of all tn
forces of tenderness which lay dor
mant in me. There Is but one solu-
ton / can make of IL, and that Is that
God has visited this love upon me az
the only adequate punishment for my
crime. tell you there Is a hell. I
am In Il. I had rather undergo the
physical pangs of an eternity in burn
Ing flames than to bear this q month
longer"
Father Surtees clasped his quivering
hands between his knees.
"God have mercy on YOU" he said.
Poor, poor BlancheI L have never
seen a creature nearer to God, my
/ friend"
For about Ave minutes nothing
! more was said. Then Goddard broke
| the stiffness.
81 have thought Of suicide" he said.
That could not possibly help you
or her." declare the priest.
81 am withheld even from that cow
! ardly act because the shock would kill
her. Don't you see how am buffeted
about by the consequences of my
crime ?"
81 see see. And for the same rea-
son you cannot tell her that she Is not
your wife"
mo, that would kill her. DR.. Elem
ing said she would not be able to bear
the slightest shock or excitement"
when did you see him?"
| 81 have not seen him since he exam
ined Blanche"
"How did you find out that Blanche
has this-this terrible disease?"
81 have just told you that Jeanne
told me that DR.. Fleming had con,
fided it to her. he enjoined 1t on her
to keep It even from me, and by al
! means from Blanche"
"Ahl" Father Surtees' brows were
knitted together. AS he uttered that
exclamation he rose and began ia
walk back and forth across the room
Suddenly he turned and stood over
Goddard.
do you think she could have in.
duced you to take a hand in this plot
if you had believed Blanche to be per.
fectly sound, physically?"
Certainly not; it is because she has
Euch a short life, and"
Father Surtees laid his hand on the
majors shoulder.
"Then," he said, your wife must