Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-11-06

alice lCdS absolutely charmed.
been here. All, you should have seen
his dear old eyes full of loving tears
He would walk a hundred miles to see
you, he said, but never expected to in
this world. blessings, blessings upon
dear Father Beret, was what he muir
INJURED in my ear when we were part
ing He says that he will never leave
Quebec until he goes to his home
above-ah."
The way in which NJ. Roussilon
closed his little speech, his large eyes
upturned, his huge hands clasped in
front of him, was very effective.
Il am under many obligations. my
SON. said Father Bcret. "for what you
tell me. 1t was good of you to remem
Der my dear old friend and go to him
for his loving messages to me. l am
very, very thankful. Help me to an
other drop of wine, please"
Now the extraordinary feature of the
situation was that Father Beret had
known positively for nearly five years
that Father Sebastian was dead and
buried.
"Ah, yes" NJ. Roussillon continued,
pouring the claret with one hand and
making pious gesture with the other
The dear old man loves you and prays
for you. His voice quavers whenever
he speaks of you"
Doubtless he made his old joke to
you about the birthmark on my shout
der" said Father Beret after a mo-
ment of apparently thoughtful silence.
"He may have said something about l.
in playful way, eh?"
True. true; why, yes, he surely men
toned the same" asscnted NJ. Rous
silon. his face assuming an expression
of confused memory. at was some.
thing sly and humorous. mind, but it
just escapes my recollection. A right
jolly old boy is Father Sebastian. In.
deed very amusing at times"
AT times. yes" said Father Beret
who had no brthmark on his shoulder
and had never had one there or on any
other part of his person.
How strange" Alice remarked 81
too. have mark on my shoulder-a
pink spot, just like a small. five petaled
flower. We must be of kin to each
other. Father Beret.'
The priest laughed.
IF our marks are alike, that would
be some evidence of kinship," he said
"But what shape is yours, father?"
1--WE never seen it, he responded.
Never seen it. Why?"
"Well, it's absolutely invisible" and
he chuckled heartily, meantime glanc-
ing shrewdly at NJ. Roussillon out of
the tail of his eye.
Its on the back of his shoulder"
quickly spoke up NJ. Roussillon, land
you know priests never use looking
glasses. The mark is quite invisible
therefore so far as Father Beret is CON
cernedr
you never told me of your birth
mark before. my daughter" said Fa-
Their Beret, turning to Alice with sud
den interest. 1t may some day be
good fortune to you
"Why so, father?'
''If your family name is really Tarle.
ton, as you suppose from the inscrip-
ton on your locket the birthmark, be-
ing of such singular shape, would prob
ably identify you. 1t is said that these
marks run regularly in families. With
the miniature and the distinguishing
birthmark you have enough to make ii
strong case should you once find the
right Tarleton family"
"You talk as they write in novels"
said Alice. 1--WE read about Just such
things in them. Wouldn't it be grand
if l should turn out to be some great
parsonage in disguise~
The mention OF novels reminded
Father Beret of that terrible book
which he last saw in Alice's possession,
and he could not refrain from men.
tioning It in voice that shuddered.
REST easy, Father Beret," said Alice.
"That is one novel have found Who'll.
y dlstasrerul TO me. | tried to read II,
but could not do it. l flung 1t aside
In utter disgust. You and Mother
Roussillon are welcome to hide it deep
as well for all care. l don't enjoy
reading about low, vile people and
hopeless unfortunates. | like sweet
and lovely heroines and strong, high
souled, brave heroes"
Read about the blessed saints, then.
my daughter. You will find in them
the true heroes and heroines of this
world" said Father Beret.
NJ. Roussillon changed the subject,
for he always somehow dreaded to
have the good priest fall into the strain