Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-17
At the
Confessional
BY w. F. G. THACHER.

A THICK wet mist had crept mp
~ from the channel and wrapt
Paris in dripping shadow. 1t muffled
the noises of the streets and trans
formed the street lamps into CHASTITY
blurs of yellow light, reflected dmly in
the wet pavement. With the fog came
a chill wind which nipped the bare toes
Of the newsboys, quickened the meas
nred tread Of the gendarmes and
caused the few belated pedestrians to
hasten homcwards.
Within the great cathedral all was
gloom and silence. 1t was deserted,
save for few miserablcs, who lin
gered more for the warmth and protcc-
ton than from any motives Of piety.
The sacrificial candles twinkled with
a lambert radiance which lent an I'M
canny aspect to the barbarc splcndor
of the altar. and served to exaggerate
the impressive distances of the inte-
rior.
Before one Of the confessionals
priest was standing, alone. His arms
were folded on his breast and his head
lowered in an attitude Of meditation
He was man of 30 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,
cnwrapt in reverie, his face bore an
homogeneous expression of brooding
pain. II was as if dead past had
20 70 MI 1,tc inn al lie
heart with cruel fingers the past
which had drawn him to the priest
hood for refuge, and which even it's
stern consolation could not Danish.
In distant loft an organ sounded,
dissipating the images of his reveries.
His fingers touched his beads and he
prayed swiftly.
Outside. the mist had settled into a
chill drizzle, and the streets were rap
idly being deserted. A brougham, con-
spicuous for its rich appointments,
swept ont of the current of vehicles
| and drew up in front of the cathedral.
A liveried footman opened the door,
and woman yelled and CARRIED in a
long coat stepped out and assembled the
marble steps. Inside she noticed with
satisfaction the almost deserted con-
dition of the interior. Then she APP
preached the solitary figure Of the
priest
Father" she said. in low voice, but
without hesitation, 81 wish to confess
to you. Will you hear me?"
The priest had involuntarily drawn
| the cowl over his face so as to conceal
his features.
Surely, madame" he replied. eve
will enter the confessional, If you
please"
Inside the little chapel they took
their places, he sitting behind the low
rail, on which the woman rested her
arms as she knelt before him.
Begin, my child, and may God for
give you for your transgressions."
81 have no petty list Of wrongdoings
to confess to you, father" she began,
Though there are enough of them
Heaven knows, but | wish to tell you
the story of my life. I have never told
it before, but I can no longer keep
silence"
"You do we'll to come TO me-" the
priest answered, mechanically. MAY
the Holy Virgin intercede for you"
wears ago." she continued, mo mat.
ter how many, I was betrothed to a
young man. We were very much in
love with each other, and life seemed
full of bliss for us. We were not tc
be married until my lovers fortune
was assured. for although he was q
scion of noble house, his father hat
died and left his affairs in an emhar
raised condition, and feeble mother
was dependent upon him for support
He was capable and willing to work
and his prospects were bright for ar
honorable career; but--ah, well, it is
the old story. I was young and am
bilious and impa tent at the long wait
ing. and longed for luxury and socia
distinction. so when Baron de"-she
checked herself suddenly-"when the
man I afterwards married offered al
these things-I was weak and foolish
and my father urged me-and SO &C
cepted him-God forgive me.-an6
broke faith with my lover
Her voice broke, and she paused 6
moment to gain her self-control.
at is not so awful thus far, is it
father? But the terrible part is tC
come. Fabrice, my lo-what is it, ia
ther?"
The priest had uttered halfsup
pressed cry.