Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-07-28

permitted to revile your commander"
"Yes, / know; but how can a man
restrain himself under such abolnina-
BILE conditions?"
Father Beret shsewdly guessed that
Hamilton had been giving the captain
fresh reasons for bitter resentment.
Moreover, he was sure that the moving
cause had been Alice. So, In order to
draw out what he wished to hear. he
said very gently:
How is the little prisoner getting
alongT'
Farnsworth ground his teeth and
swore, but Father Beret appeared not
to hear. He bit deep into a scone. took
a liberal sip Of the muddy red wine
and added:
"Has she a comfortable place? Do
you think Governor Hamilton would
let me visit herr"
ut Is horriblew Farnsworth blurted.
"She's penned up as II she were dan
gerous beast. the poor girl. And that
ID scoundreI-
"SoD, SOM
| "Oh, it's no use to try. can't help
1t, father. The whelp"-
1--WE can converse more safely and
| intelligently II we avoid profanity and
undue emotion, my son. Now. II you
| will quit swearing. I will. and II you
will be calm, so will -
Farnsworth felt the sly irony OF this
absurfly vicarious proposition. Father
Beret smiled with a kindly twinkle in
his deep set eyes.
"Well, IL you don't use profane Ian
guage, father, there's ho telling how
much you think in explctives What Is
your opinion Of man who tumbles
Z poor. defenseless girl into prison and
then refuses to let her be decently
cared fori How do you express your
self about him."
my son. men often do things Of
which they ought TO be ashamed. |
heard Of young officer once who NAL
treated d little girl that lie met at
night in the street. What evil he
would have done, had not passing
kind hearted man reminded him of his
honor by friendly punch In the ribs,
/ dare not surmise."
"True, and your sarcasm goes home
as hard as your fist did, father. /
know that I've been a sad dog all my
life. Miss Roussillon saved you by
shooting me, and / love her for 1t.
Lay on, father; I deserve more than
you can give me-"
"Surcly you do, my son, surely you
do, but my love for you will not let me
give you pain. All, we priests have to
carry all mems loads. Our backs are
broad, however; very broad, my SON."
"And your fists are heavy, father;
mighty heavy"
The gentle smile again flickered over
the priests weather beaten face as he
glanced sidewisc at Farnsworth and
said:
Sometimes. sometimes, my son, q
carnal weapon must break the way for
spiritual one. But we priests rarely
have much physical strength. Our de-
pendence is upon
"To be sure; cert1inly," Farnsworth
interrupted, rubbing his side. Your
dependence IL upon the first thing that
offers. I've had many a blow, but
yours was the soIldest that ever Jared
The twain began TO hugh There Is
nothing like "reminiscences TO stir mp
fresh mutual sympathy.
III your intercostals were somewhat
sore for time on account OF con
tact with priestly knuckles, doubtless
there soon set In corresponding uD-
easiness in the region Of your con
science. Such shocks arc often vigor-
ously Alternative and tonic; ell, my
sonT
you jolted me sober. father and
then / was ashamed OF myself But
where does all your tremendous
strength llcl You don't look strong"
While speaking Farnsworth leaned
near Father Beret and grasped his
arm. The young man started, for his
fingers, instead Of closing around
Gabby, slIrunken old mans limb,
spread themselves upon n huge, knot
ted mass OF iron muscles. With a
quick movement Father Bcret shook
Off Farnsworth's hand and said:
II am no Samson. my son. Non sum
qualis cram" Then, as II dismissiDg |
light subject for "A graver one, he
sighed and added, Il suppose there is
nothing that can be done for little |
Alice"
lie called the tall, strong girl little |
Alice" and 30 she seemed 10 him. He |
could not, without direct effort. think |
OF her as n magniGccntly maturing |
woman. She had always been his |
spoiled pet child, perverseiy set against |
the holy church, but dear to him never |
theless
IL came TO ask that very question. |
father" said Farnsworth
And what do / knowf Surely, my |
son, you see how utterly hopeless an |
old priest IL against all you British
And besidcs"-
Father Beret" Farnsworth husltily |
Interrupted. "is there a place that you
know OF anywhere In which Miss |
Roussillon could be hidden IT,
"My dear sonw
but, father, mean IT,"
"Mean whntf Pardon un old mans
slow understanding. What nre you
talking about, my sonT
Father Bcrct glanced furtivcly about,
then quickly stepped through the door
way, walked entirely around the house
and came In again before Farnsworth
could respond. Once more seated on
his stool he added intcrrogntlvely:
"Did you think you heard something
moving outsider
mo"
"You were saying something when ]
went out. Pardon my interruption"
Farnsworth gave the priest n search
ing and not wholly confdIng look.
"You did not interrupt me. Father
Beret. was not speaking. Why are
you no wntchfui7 Are you afraid Of
eavesdroppcrsr'
You were speaking recklessly. Your
words were incendiary; ardcntln verbn.
My son, you were suggesting danger
Gus thing. Your life would scarcely
satisfy the law were you convicted Of
insinuating such treason. What if one
Of your prowilng guards had over
hcard youf Your neck and mine might
feel the bnltcr Quod avertat doml.
nus He crossed himself and In
solemn voice added in English:
"Mag thc Lord forbldjr An. 10Y scn.