The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-04-10
At the
Confessional
, BY w. F. G.. THACHER.

n from the channel and v~rapt
Paris in dripping shadow. 1t muffied
the noises of the streets and trans
formed the street lamps into CHASTITY
blurs of yellow light, reflected dimly in
the wet pavement. With the fog came
chill wind which nipped the bare toes
of the newsboys, quickened the meas
ured tread of the gendarmes and
caused the few belated pedestrians to
hasten homewards.
Within the great cathedral all was
gloom and silence. 1t was deserted,
save for few miserables, who lin
gered more for the warmth and protec-
ton than from any motives of piety.
!. The, saerifcial candles twinkled with
a lambent radiance which lent an un-
scanny aspect to the barbaric splendor
OF the altar, and served to eXaggerate
the impressive distances of the inte-
rior.
Before one of the confessionals a
priest was standing, alone. His arms
were folded on his breast and his head
lowered in an attitude of meditation.
he was man of 80 or thereabouts, tall
and massive, with fine patrician fea-
lures, from which his ascetic life had
not entirely erased the lines of youth
and enthusiasm. AS he stood there,
enwrapt in reverie, his face bore an
lncongruous expression of brooding
PAIN. 1t was as if a dead past had
come to life and was clutching at his
heart with cruel fingers-the past
which had drawn him to the priest
mood for refuge. and which even it's
stern consolation could not Danish.
In distant loft an organ sounded.
dlssipating the images of his reveries.
his fingers touched his beads and he
prayed swiftly.
outside, the mist had settled into
chill drizzle, and the streets were rap
lal being deserted. A brougham, con-
splcuous for its rich appointments,
swept out of the current of vehicles
anu drew up in front Of the cathedral.
"A llVeried footman opened the door,
ana woman veiled and garbed in a
long coat stepped out and ascended the
marble steps. Inside she noticed with
satisfaction the almost deserted con-
altlon of the interior. Then she ap-
preached the solitary figure of the
priest.
rather she said. in low voice. but
without hesitation, 81 wish to confess
TO you. Will you hear me?"
The priest had involuntarilv drawn
the eowl over his face so as to conceal
his features.
surely, madame" he replied. 1--WE
VIII enter the confessional, if YOU
please"
inside the little chapel they took
ehef places, he sitting behind the low
faii' on which the woman rested her
arms as she kneit before him.
Begin, my child, and may God for
give you for your transgressions."
nave no petty list of wrongdoings
TO confess to you, father" she began,
.hough there are enough of them,
heaven knows. but | wish to tell YOU
.he story of my life. have never told
!. before, but l can no longer keep
silence"
You do we'll to come to me-" the
priest answered, mechanically. "Mav
'ne holy Virgin intercede for you.'
ears ago" she continued, "no mat
'er now many. l was betrothed to
,oung man. We were very much in
,ove with each other, and life seemed
, ,ui OF bliss for us. We were not to
Oe married until my lovers fortune
vas assured, for although he was
seion OF noble house, his father had
aied and left his affairs in an embar-
.assea condition, and feeble mother
was ', dependent upon hin, for suppc rt.
~ was capable and willing to wcrk.
~ ana MS prospects were bright for an
= onoraole career; but-ah, well. it is
,ae a:.. Ola story. l was young and am
s.'ious and impatient at the long wait
. and ionged for luxury and socia
.sanetlon, :. so when Baron de"--she
aeekea herself suddenly-"wben the
nan | afterwards married offered all