The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-03-28
CHAPTER XVI.

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 a green.
shaded lamp on his big writing table,
which was strewn with manuscripts
and notes for book he was writing.
Il hope I am not interrupting," said
the major, as he was shown in. H.
"You can't interrupt me, old man."
said Father -Surtees, emphasizing the
first word OF his greeting as he warm
| ly pressed Goddard's hand. II 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-'fyou really do not. look well,
old man." -.---:5 49, &,
Goddard smiled and motioned to q
chair. His smile was a very artificial
affair, his gesture mechanical
est down, he said, "before / lose
my courage" ~. IF
Father Surtees complied, wonder
ingly. 1:.>
"You have been a profound mystery
to me for the last month, Rowland.
Would you believe I was joking if 1
were to tell you have lost sleep wor;
rying over you lately? When 1 close
my eyes at night I often see your face
and its awful gloom and mystery
drives my rest away. am glad you
came. I was going to look you up If
: you hadn't" * s~.->~~ 80. r .s..--.s>
do you remember how / laughed
once said the major "at the idea
some fellow at the club advanced that
there could|really be such a thing as
an unpardonable sin ?'' - h. ..-. t.
= II think. 4 agreed with you," said
the priest, stroking his round, beard
less face, while his gray eyes CLEANED
in the light-of the fire. Ill.
:: The-major drew deep breath. It
was like the sigh of dying man.
. Would you mind lowering that
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.
'tOne can think better in a subdued
light like this from the CRATE - =
81 am not member of your church -
began Goddard; 3but If I were to
make especial request you'd you al
low me to make a confession to you
to unburden a conscience that is tot
tering on the verge of spiritual de-
spair %. = ~. :-.-c..5 s. ss
"You know should listen to any.
thing you said, dear friend, as would
| to the trouble of brother r.
Goddard drew himself up in his
chair. = -. ---z:-. : ,.sz .@.ss
| Il am shungering for something
Ielse, said he. II have heard that q
! 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. I want tiff
you can by any hook or crook get it
for me- =@ 81 O. = -. = ss
''If you have done wrong, God will
pardon il" answered the priest, bend
ing forward and sympathetically look
ing intoathe face Of his visitor. 1.-THE
pardon Of God IS the most beautiful
law Of the universe. You can get. it.
You. have It now, for I see that you
i have already repented as -deeply5.as
man can. ''5. 80 E=5.
Goddard laughed harshly. #=.zzz-
Wait until 1 tell you my story, !" he
said. =5z 49, 80
81 am ready to hear ii. = 81.
-. dislike to-begin It, because /
know that you will never look at me
rs the Old way again 9 said The. ma
7jor; but to know that have con-.