The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-05-17
CHAPTER XVI.

Major Goddard's most intimate
friend in New York was Father Sur
tees, priest, who lived in 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
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 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 as he warm
ly 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 we'll,
old man."
Goddard smiled and motioned to a
chair. His smile was a very artificial
of hic c-ocf,1ro oooh
''Sit down." he said, "before I lose
my courage"
Father Surtees complied, wonder
imgly.
"You have been profound mystery
to me for the last month, Rowland.
Would you believe I was joking if /
were to tell you have lost sleep wor-
rying over you lately? When I close
my eyes at night often see your face
and its awful gloom and mystery
drives my rest away. I am glad you
came. was going to look you up if
you hadn't"
"Do you remember how 1 laughed
once" said the major, ''at the idea
some fellow at the club advanced that
there could really be such thing as
an objectionable sin?"
81 think I 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 a deep breath. It
was like the sigh of dying man.
'sWould you mind lowering that
lamp" he said.
Certainly not" And Father Sur
tees leaned back in his rocking chair
and turned down the light.
81 like it this way myself" he said.
"One can think better in a subdued
light like this from the CRATE"
"Iam not a member of your church,
began Goddard; "but if I were to
make special request would you al
low me to make confession to you
to unburden a conscience that is tot
tering on the verge of spiritual de-
spair?"
ssYou 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.
ST am hungering for something
else" said he. 81 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 it if
you can by any hook or crook get it
for me-"
eff you have done wrong, God will
pardon it." answered the priest, bend
ing forward and ssympathetically 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 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
jor; ssbut to know that I have con-.
fided my agony to some one viii help
q little"
Nothing you have done could make
me feel differently towards you, my
old friend, 50 go ahead. feel that