The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-18
Copy light. 1908. by Daily story pusli.Aiss Gel

l Hepita .Holce recalled him to hi,
 duty. but her actions outweighed hel
 words q hundred times. As she spok,
 the young priest hesitated. Then h,
 looked in her eyes and all thought O
 the life to which he had pledged him self was gone.
 | grasp.
 And for me you would sacrifice youl | future!"
 A mocking, increduious smile made
 her doubi- handsome, but with a dia-
 bolical beauty.
 For you I will enthusiastically" Father Pedro's voice was husky, but
 there was ring of determination in
 1t which showed the woman her pow 1 CT. She placed her hands on his shoul- ders and looked long and piercingly into his eyes. It was the basilisk look
 which it Is said a serpent gives as it seizes its victim.
 Do you mean it?" she asked. T mean it," the priest answered brokenlv
 For moment the woman stood mo- tionless. She read his face and saw the struggle which was taking place within him. But she knew she had won. She saw the man, the priest, scorning the world. rejecting his life, defyfng his or der and sacrificing salvation for her. But there was no pity in her eyes. nine in her heart. The utter strength of her mind was put forth to accom- plish the evil she had planned. Slowly the expression of her face changed. The passion she had shown before returned and she sank into his arms.
 It was late when they left the grove. The priest was silent and like one in a dream. His arm was about the wo- man and she made no protest to the caresses which he gave. As they neared the outskirts of the town she stopped.
 We will take the midnight train" she said.
 "The midnight train." she said.
 we will go first to Mexico City. I have enough money for the tickets. Once there We can live quietly until we go to Spain. The church. treasure will give us plenty for the rest of our lives"
 "The church treasure" again echoed the priest.
 "No one shall know who we are or whence We came and love shall make our life better than paradise"
 The tempting passion of her whole nature was again in Pepita's voice. The priest was still like a man in dream. The woman again put her hands to his temples and drew his head towards hers. Again she poured into his eyes the burning gaze which deadened his will and scared oyer the thoughts which came to him. No one recognized them as they left town. No one gave a thought to the heavy packages they carried. The next morning there was con- sternation in the cathedral The treas- ures were gone, the altar itself was rifled. A sacrilegious hand had left nothing of the wealth of the church. But 1t was quickly evident that 1t was no stranger who had gone to the hid- ing place and had footed them with out force. Besides, Father Pedro was missing. His bed was undisturbed. On his pillow they found his breviary, his rosary even his scapular--aH the evidence of his religion. You fooll Did you think cared for you? have got what I wanted and now you can go to the devil who you are so sure will get you" Father Pedro again stood like one in a trance and again Pepita's eyes were blazing at him. But this time there was no passion, no tenderness in them.
 T tell you you can go to the devil to whom you say you have sacrificed your eternity" half screamed the wo- man. Do you think want you around? Why, your face is gloomier than your rusty old priests coat. Put 1t on and go back to your church. l am through with you. Get out"
 Pedro seemed deaf to the words. If he heard them his face did not betray the fact. Nothing that could be said or done could affect him now. The bat tie of his life had been fought with himself and he had lost. Silently he left the bouse.
 When they found his body it was ly- ing on the steps of the cathedral. It was dressed In black. but there was nothing to show that the man had eyer devoted his life to God. They did not take 1t into the church. renegade priest. a thief. a suicide-they could not do that But they buried him close outside the walls and the little stone obelisk at the head of the half-sunken mound still bears these words: