Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-04

 tears has long been denied me; and even time has failed to alleviate my suffering.
 4.Well, father, that is all. It is pitt ful little story, is il not? I hardly know why came to you. It was only an im- rulse-but l have no one to confide in. will go now"
 With the exception of t1 1. slight in- corruption at the name "Fabrice." the priest had remained mute throughout the recital; but it was silence born of feeling too intense for utterance. The first intonation of the woman's voice had thrilled and dazed him. At first he discredited his senses; but slowly and painfully the fact forced itself upon him that he was listening to the drama of his own life-that the woman kneeling before him was she for whom, nearly ten years ago, he l had renounced the life of pleasure and ambition and sought the seclusion of the priesthood, and whose face he never expected to look upon again. And now an inscrutable fate had brought her to him, and he had heard l from her own lips that she had loved him, and loved him yet.
 Like one in a trance he went through I the formula of dissolution; and not un- til she rose to leave the chapel did he come to himself. Then the full sig nifcance of the situation flashed upon him, and with it the alternatives; 1 should he let her go unspol1en and live on as he had, or should he speak to her and reawaken in his heart the { old struggle which he had sought so long to quell?
 But, no-there was no choice. The mischief had already been done, and he must speak to her, come what may. He followed her from the confessional 1 and spoke her name, "Emilie." She turned quickly, and, lifting her veil, looked him full in the face.
 "Good God!" she gasped ssIt is you -Fabrice!' Her face went white, and she reeled slightly, one hand extended, as if to ward off threatening horror. I ''Yes, it is I-Fabrice.' He grew more self-contained as he saw her agi- tation.
 "But-but I thought you dead-ten years ago." She passed her hand over her eyes, as if to clear away the mys- tery that impended.
 ''No, there is no mistake It is I, the man whose life you tried to ruin, whom you - but pardon -I have no re 1 proaches-now. I have, through the grace of God, both forgiven and for. gotten.
 "But tell me, Emelie." He went close to her and looked deep into her eyes wide with awe. 'Tell me, is it true what you said-you loved me, and not this other man?"
 Her eyes dropped before his and she turned half away-then, with an impa tient gesture, she faced him and spoke impassionately.
 "True, yes, every word of it is true God knows loved you then-and- you-yet."
 A new light had illuminated hel eyes, the light of yearning love, ant the hope of happiness.
 And you, Fabrice," she said, softly "have you forgotten?"
 'Forgotten?" He replied confusedly "Why-I hardly know-it is so long ten long years"
 "Yes, it is long," she answered, eager ly, ssbut true love knows no time. Ah Fabrice," her voice was vibrant witt pleading, Sis it too late? May we no yet be happy?"
 "But your husband-he is living and"
 ''Yes, but he is brolen-down olt man now, and we have never loved eacl other. Such union as ours is not true maria ge-besides, separation may be easily arranged-I am rich"
 ''But it is impossible. No, no! Hov can you tempt me! Think--I am ; priest-my VOWS"
 "What does it matter? You tool them because you thought you had los me. Now, see! give myself to you"
 As she spoke she threw back he long mantle and slowly held out he arms to him. She was doing all in he woman's power to win him to her. He half-pursed. lips, her lustrous eyes, he1 outstretched arms, every line of he figure was wooing him back to the love of his youth.
 The man fairly writhed under tn agony of the conflict that was riff W1Un1n nm. On the one ndnu lay LII world, pleasures, love, life, all that h. had schoo1ed himself to despise. On the other hand, the church, duty, ant "that peace which passeth understand ing'' Tn the midst of the struggl there came from distant alcove tn intonation of mighty organ and boy, choir singing 'sTe Deum." As h, heard, the crisis seemed to resolve it self-the way was clear before his feet The hollow world and it's life of tinse and vanity lost it's glamour. And tn woman-wio was she with her shallov beauty and slender passion to temp him from his duty? She seemed t shrink and shrivel away from him. I was as if a great light had been let int his soul.
 With the decision alook of holy cain came into his face. The woman saw it and knew that she had lost. With choking sob she stopped and kissed hi hand. then drew her cloak about he and swiftly left the cathedral. Ther was the click of closing door. wort of command, and then the rattle of ts vehicle, and the hoofbeats, which wer soon swallowed up in the eddy of stree noises.
 Within, the priest stood before tn