The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-03-22

that met him at your house-that is,
if-if-"
"Don't say ~ when it is already
three times a week" broke in Blanche.
with a laugh, and the two girls
parted.
CHAPTER XVI.
Major Goddard's most intimate
| friend in New York was Father Sur
| tees, priest, who lived in a comfort
able home in Madison avenue. God
dard liked him for his liberal views on
all religious subjects, and for his ex-
emplary life. They had been chums
at Harvard, belonged to the same regi-
ment, in which Father Surtees was
chaplain, and frequently met in their
club. They had made tour of Eu-
rope together, had slept in the same
bed; in short, were ideal friends.
The afternoon following the Incl
dent recorded in the foregoing chap
ter Goddard went to visit this priest.
The afternoon was as cloudy as the
preceding day had been, and Father
Surtees' study was lighted by green
shaded lamp on his big writing table,
which was strewn with manuscripts
and notes for a book he was writing
"I hope | am not interrupting," said
the major as he was shown in.
"You can't interrupt me, old man.
said Father Surtees, emphasizing the
first word OF his greeting ms he warm
" pressed Goddard's hand 81 am al
ways ready and waiting for you. But
-" as the major sat down before the
glowing CRATE fire and his features
stood out in relief in the light of the
lamp-"you really do not look well,
old man"
Goddard smiled and motioned to a
chair. His smile was a very artificial
affair, his gesture mechanical.
"Sit down." he said, "before / lose
my courage"
: Father Surtees complied, wonder
lngly.
'rYou have been a profound mystery
TO me for the last month, Rowland.
Would you believe I was Joking IL I
were to tell you have lost sleep wor-
. rying over you lately? When 1 close
my eyes at night often see your face
and its awful gloom and mystery
drives my rest away. ! am glad you
came. was going to look you up if
you hadn't"
ado you remember how / laughed
, once" said the major, "at the idea
some fellow at the clup advanced that
there could really be such a thing as
an 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.
I The major drew n deep breath. II
was like the sigh of dying man.
D would you mind lowering that
j lamp" he said.
Certainly not" And rather Sur
tees leaned back in his rocking chair
and turned down the light.
II like it this way myself" he said
0 zone can think better in subdued
0 light like this from the CRATE"
l "Iam not member of your church
: began Goddard; but If | were to
make a special request would you al.
low me to make a confession to you
, to unburden a conscience that is tot.
! tering on the verge of spiritual de-
y spair?"
y "You know | should listen to any
thing you said, dear friend, as l 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 g
: 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 aid-whatever it is. / want II il
you can by any hook or crook get II
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 It
You have it now, for | see that yor
= have already repented as deeply al
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
know that you will never look at m,
!, in the old way again" said the ma
jor; "but to know that l have con
fded my agony to some one will helF
), a little"
q Nothing you have done could make
me feel differently towards you, my
a old friend, so go ahead. | feel thar
!. God will let me help you. think
= have helped every soul that has evel
l. confessed TO me-"
I Then in low, uneven voice Goddard
q told the story of his first love for hi
ward, his intention of making her hi
wife.
a "Ah, remember that WE'LL" put il
d Father Surtees. II remember wher
e you first came to me in your boyisl