The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-19
THE POPE IN FICTION.
Leo XIII as He Appeared at q Greaf
Religions Function.

From Mrs Humphry Wards "Elinor."
A roar came up the church-passionato
-indescribable. Lucy held her breath.
There--there he is-khe old mani -CSaght
in a great shaft OF sunlight striking N1ru
south to north, across the church, and just
touching the chapel of the holy sacrament
the Pope energies. The white figure, high
above the crowd. sways from side 10 sides
the hand appraised gives the benediction-
Fragile, spiritual as is the apparition. the
sunbeam refines. subtilizes. spirituslizes it
still more. 1t hovers like a dream above
the vast multiudes-surely no living MANI
but thought. history. faith taking shapes
the passion of many hearts revealed. Up
rushes the roar towards the tribunes.
Lucy-the alien and Puritan Lucy-sur-
renders herself completely. She betrays
nothing, save by the slightly parted lips.
and the iutter of the black veil fastened
on her breast: but IL is as though her whole
inner being were dissolving. melting away
in the flame of the moment.
In a proud timidity--as one who feels her
self an alien and on sufferance-she hangs
again upon the Incompatible scene. This
is ST. Peters; there is the dome OF Michael
Angelo; and here. advancing towards her
amid the RED of the cardinals. the clatter of
the guards, the tossing of the fiabeila. as
though looking at her alone-the two waxen
fingers raised for her alone--is the white
robed. triple-crowned Pope.
And august unheeding, the great pageant
swept on. Close, close to her nowi Down
sink the crowd upon the chairs; the heads
fall like corn before the wind. Lucy Is
bending, too. The papal chair borne on the
shoulders OF the guards is now but few
feet distant; vaguely she wonders that the
old man keeps his balance as he clings with
one trail hand TO the arm of the chair. rises
tncessan;ly-and blesses with the other
She catches the very look and meaning
of the eyes-the sharp. long line OF the
closed and toothless jaw. Spirit and spec
ter-embodying the past. bearing the clew
To the future.
The Pope and his cortege disappeared be-
hind the confession, behind the high altar.
and presently Lucy, craning her neck 10 the
right could see dimly In the farthest dis
lance, against the apse. and under the
chair OF st. Peter, the chair OF Leo XIII
and the white shadow, motionless, erect.
within it, amid a court of cardinals and Dip
lomats.
One more moment" however. there was
very different from the great moment OF
the entry, yet beautiful. The mass is over
and temporary platform has been erected
between the confession and the nave. The
Pope has been placed upon IL and is about
TO chant the apostolic benediction.
The old man is within thirty feet of Man.
isty, who sits nearest 10 the barrier. The
red cardinal holding the service-book, the
group of guards. clergy and high officials.
-.
nay every line OF the wrinkled face and
fieshless hands, Lucys eyes command them
all. The quavering voice rises into the sud
den silence of St. Peters. Fifty thousand
people hush every movement, strain their
ears to listen.
All, how weak IL is, Surely the effort
Is too great for frame so enfeebled. so
ancient. Ii should not have been exacted-
allowed. Lucys ears listen painfully for
the inevitable break. But noi-The Pope
draws a long sigh-the sigh of weakness
t''Ahi poveretto!' says woman close TO
Lucy, I'm a transport OF pity)-tAen once
more attempts the chant-sighs again-and
sings. Lucy's face softens and CLOVIS; her
eyes al with tears. Nothing more touch
ing, more triumphant than this weakness
and this perseverance. Fragile, indomita-
bic face beneath the Papal crown. Under
the eyes OF $1,000 people the Pope signs like
a child. because he is weak and old. and
the burden OF his Office Is great; but In
sghlng keeps perfect simplicity. dignity.
courage. Not n trace of stoicai conceal
ment. but also not trace OF ninching.
He sings TO the end and ST. Peters listens
I'm a tender hush.
lapse The long. straight lips close as
though with snap, the upper jaw pro-
truding: the eyelids drop: the emaciated
form sinks upon itself.
But his guards raise the chair and the
Pope's trance passes away. He opens his
eyes and braces himself for the last effort
Whittier than the gorgeous cope which falls
about him. he raises himself. cllnging 20
the chair: he lifts the skeleton fingers OF
his partly gloved hand; his look searches
the crowd.