Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-05
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CHAPTER XVI.
t-opyrisht. reoo. by A N. Kellogg Newspaper Co,

tees, a 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 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 book he was writing. 'I hope I am not interrupting," said the major, as he was snown in. "You can't interrupt me, old man," said Father Surtees, emphasizing the first word O. his greeting as he warm ly pressed Goddard's hand. ''I am al- ways ready and waiting for you. But - as the major sat down before the glowing grate fire and his features stood out in relief in the light of the lamp-"you really do not look well, l old man."
 Goddard smiled and motioned to a chair. His smile was very artificial affair, his gesture mechanical.
 'Sit down." he said, ''before lose my courage.'
 Father Surtees complied, wonder ingly.
 lou have been a profound mystery to me for the last month, Rowland. Would you believe I was joking if I were to tell you I have lost sleep wor- rying over you lately? When l close my eyes at night I often see your face and it's awful gloom and mystery drives my rest away. I am glad you came. I was going to look you up if you hadn't
 "Do you remember how I laughed once," said the major. "at the idea some fellow at the club advanced that there could really be such thing as an unpardonable sin?"
 ''I think I agreed with you," said the priest, stroking his round, beard less face, while his gray eyes gleamed in the light of the fire.
 The major drew a deep breath. It was like the sigh of dying man.
 ''Would you mind lowering that la1np?" he said.
 "Certainly not" And rather Sur tees leaned back in his rocking chair and turned down the light.
 T like it this way myseh," he said. "One can think better in a subdued light like this from the grate."
 liam not a memb Der of your church, :" began Goddard; "but if I 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- spair?"
 You know I should listen to any thing you said, dear frienu. as I would to the trouble of brother.''
 Goddard drew himself up in his chair.
 "I am hungering for something else," said he. "I have heard that a 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. l 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 sympathetically 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 1 see that you have already repented as deeply as man can.''
 Goddard laughed harshly.
 ''Wait until 1 tell you my story" he said.
 ''I am ready to hear it.''
 q .dishke to begin it, because know that you will never look at me in the old way again." said the ma jor: ''but to know that l have con- fided my agony to some one will help little"
 ''Nothing you have done could make me feel differently towards you, my old friend, so go ahead. I feel that God will let me help you. l think have helped every soul that has evez confessed to me-"
 Then in LOW, uneven voice Goddard told the story of his first love for his ward, his intention of making her his wife.
 An, l remember that well!'' put ir Father Surtees. '1 remember. when you first came to me in your boyisl 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 off my feet in admirat ion. Why, ole man, I felt like shouting for joy whe1 you told me she was to oe your wife
 '0Then l met the other," said God. dard.
 "Ah, yes, you met the other!" The eyes of the priest were fixed on the rug at his feet. And as the major began the second part of his recital and plunged into the details o. Jeanne's plot, Father Surtees' face Seemed to turn to bronze in the fitfu gleams of the burning coals. He sal listening with clencheo hands, his fine features almost awry from the menta strain upon him.
 "Merciful Goal" he exclaimed.
 'I knew you would be quite unpre pared for my disclosure said God