The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-07-07
AS ANGELS MAY.

II was getting dark. A little back
from the beach road. half hidden from
sight by the grove Of live oaks In
which it stood. the little Catholic
church at Pass Christian nestled down
among the trees. and in the veranda OF
the adjoining residence the village
priest allowed the FIRE OF his after din
ner cigarette to die out under the In
fiuenee of the twilight landscape before
him. as he seated himself to watch the
approaching night.
Like chancel lamp ,the great red
moon hung. at the edge of the horizon;
one by one the stars appeared like
candles being lighted at an altar; the
mists OF the surf remained in the air
like a heavy perfumed incense, and the
breeze, like an acolyte. tossed down
upon the ground the Spanish moss that
festooned the trees TO cling to andcush-
lOn tue pEtS-Ditu-HhS SeutuPS SSe's'N'
ed around as chance invitations to
someone who came there to scoff, but
who remained to pray" while out of
the darkness. out of the sea, from far,
far out among the isles at the edge OF
the sound. there seemed to sweep
from the surf the chords: DE pro-fun-
dis! out-of-the- -depths."
A nun in the garb OF the order OF
Bon Secour came through the road and
walked down on the beach. where she
seated herself upon one Of the moss
draped stumps and began telling her
beads.
The moon rose quicker and quicker.
Ii cast It's red glory over the quiet
southern skies and the placid cell of
the peaceful sea, and then like flame
ii flashed through the trees and cast
its light around her form.
The priest arose from the veranda as
the light fell upon her face, and tossed
aside his cigarette. Setting his cap
and gathering up his cassock, he ran
towards her.
''Helen." ne called with outstretch-
ed hands.
She arose as she came into the radius
Of the light, one hand at her throat and
the other moving over her rosary.
''You are Ia priest?' she said, as her
eyes travelled over his habit with a
glance OF wondering surprise.
"Yes. as you see,' he replied, taking
the hand she held out to him. What
are you doing here at Pass christain?"
he added.
I'm sent here to nurse. some one at
the hotel who is i'll. and who has been
very good to the order. and l stepped
out for breath of fresh air. But--you
didn't tell mel had not heard--of
your ordination" she said as her eyes
questioned his.
Il have not seen you and thought
best not to write Writing makes one
think. and 1 think Of you too much as
it is" he replied.
She had walked aside out Of the
light, and began to retell her beads as
her eyes strayed from his barrette to
his rosary and back again.
He picked up his cassock and wan
dered away little. his eyes on the
ground.
The shadows cast their spell upon
the palmettos in his path. and they
seemed like clusters Of amethysts as
the light surf, like a flashing diadem,
sent its spray and mist over their
leaves.
..Do you know why i did il? he
asked over his shoulder, as he turned
toward the sea.
"You are supposed to have become
a priest for the greatest glory of Cod
she answered. the woman and the ffun
struggling together in her voice.
.'WelI, / didn't" he said; 4 did 1t to
prove to you--to myself, / mean-that
loved you. At least, that's where the
idea started. It's sin, know, but
have confessed and have done pen
ance. Oh. yes! / have done penance"
ut was a great gin, think, I'm not
sure, but it seems to me you should
be, or you will be greatly punished for
that!"
well, lost you, didn't I?'
mo" she said, you didn't lose me
by becoming priest. You lost me, as
YOU call it, when I became a novice"
Pm not so sure of that" ne said as
he returned to her side.
Why?" she asked.
Because, strange to say" he said
quietly, Il formed the plan, just be-
fore you entered the convent, Of car"
rving YOU off against your win-ab-
ductlng you, you know--and marrying
you whether you would or not! I had
arranged all the details-wfere we
were to CO. how we were to get there,
and so on. But / lost courage at the
last minute, and then, as l had lost
YOU. I-ah-I-ah-beca priest"
she had placed herself at the far