The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-06-29
Father surtees complied, wonders

to me for the last month, Rowland
Would you believe l was joking if
We're to tell you | have lost sleep wor-
wing over you lately? When ! close
NY eyes at night 1 often see your face
nd its awful gloom and mystery
lrives my rest away. l am glad you
came. l was going to look you up if
you hadn't
"Do you remember how l laughed
once" said the major, "at the idea
some fellow at the CLUB advanced that
there could really be such thing as
IN objectionable sin?"
81 think | agreed with you," said
the priest. stroking his round, beard
less face. while his gray eyes cleaned
in the light of the fire.
The major drew deep breath. It
was like the sigh of dying man.
''N ould YOU mind lowering that
Iamp?' he said.
"Certainly not" And rather Sur
tees leaned back in his rocking chair
and turned down the light.
81 like it this way myself" he said.
Gone can think better in subdued
light like this from the CRATE"
clam not member of your church"
began Goddard; "but if l were to
make a special request would you al
low me to make a confession to YOU
to unburden Il 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 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
he rules of your church really does
help men nladdened by the conse-
Guemrcs of--of their crimes. ! want
that nid-whatever it is. ! want it if
/ vcu can by any hook or crook get it
, for me-
, "lf you have done wrong, God will
pardon it, answered the priest, bend
ing forward and sympatheticaly look
ing into the face of his visitor. 1.-The
pardon of God is the most beautiful
, law Of the universe. YoN can get it.
You have it now. for | see that YOU
have already repcnted as deeply as
man can.
| Goddard laughed harshly
wait until tell you my story" he
/ said.
l 81 am ready to hear it,"
/ 81 distlEr to begin it, because !
l know that you will never look at me
| n - nII G,
: ior "hut to know that | have con-
tided my agony TO some one will help
l little"
} Nothing you have done could make
t me feel differently towards you. my
: old friend. so go ahead. feel that
2 God will let me help you. ] think
: have helped every soul that has ever
: confessed to me-
Then in Il row. uneven voice Goddard
1 told the story of his first love for his
/. ward. his intention of making her his
e wife
: "Ah, remember that wel!" put il
: Father SurteeS. 81 remember when
You first came to me in Your boyisf
e 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
e off my feet in admiration. Why. ole
n man. felt like shouting for Joy wher
e you told me she was to De your WIFE
''Thrn | met the other" said God
: darl.
e "\h yes. you met the other!" The
l eyes of the priest were fixed on the
n rug at his feet And as the major
S began the second part of his recital
u and plunged into the details O
t Jeanne's plot. Father Surtees' fac,
seemed to turn to bronze in the fitfu
d Cleans of the burning Goals. He sa
listening with clenchea hands, his fin,
! features almost awry from the menta
a strain upon him.
Il "Mcrciful God!" he exclaimed.
81 knew you would be quite UMPIRE
e pared for my disclosure" said God
dard. "You see, even your churcl
e can't undertake to palliate such stu
pendous offenses against human Law
and order"
"And you say you now low
" Blanche?" said the priest.
O "As l never dreamt l could love-
it has been a revelation of all tn
q forces of tenderness which lay dor
e. mant in me. There is but one solu
= ton I can make of it, and that is tina
l. God has visited this love upon me Il
1t the only adequate punishment for m
6 crime. l tell you there is a hell.
am in it. l had rather undergo tn
n, physical pangs of an eternity in burn
"a ing flames than to bear this mont
q longer"
lie Father Surtees clasped his quiverin
NJ hands between his knees.
u "God have mercy on you," he sale
g. "Poor, poor Blanche! 1 have neve
seen creature nearer to God, m
y friend"
e. For about five minutes nothiH
IL more was said. Then Goddard brok
the stiffness.
II have thought of suicide" he sale
'"That could not possibly help 20
to or her." declare. the priest.
r. II am withheld even from that COW
t. ardly act because the shock would XII
d. her. Don't you see how am buffete
IN about by the consequences of m
X. crime?"
ns II see I see. And for the same re;
ii. son you cannot tell her that she is nc
as your wife"
.ir "No, that would kill her. DR.. Flen
H. ing said she would not be able to bea
no the slightest shock or excitement"