New-York tribune., 1905-12-03

in the thunder and the wind The Devil too ragged
openly upon the earth he skulked behind the hedge
rows in the goaming he laughed loudly in the night
time; he clawed the dying sinner, pounCed on the
unbaptzed babe, and twisted the limbs of the epep
tic. foul iend skunk by mans side and
whispered villaines in his ear, while above him there
hovered an angel of grace who pointed to the steep
and narrow track. How could doubt these
things, when Pope and priest and scholar and
King were all united in believing them with
single voice of question in the whole wide world?
Every book read, every picture seen, every tale
heard from nurse or mother, all taught the same
lesson. And as a travelled through the world
his faith would grow the frmer, for go where he
would there the endless shrines of the saints
each with its holy relic in the center, and around 1t
the tradition of incessant miracles, with stacks
of deserted crutches and silver vOve hearts to prove
them. At every turn he made to feel how thin
was the veil, and how easily rent, which screened
him from the awful denizens of the unseen world.
Hence the wild announcement of the frightened
monk seemed terrible rather than incredible to those
whom he addressed. The Abbots ruddy face paled
for moment it is true but he Plucked the crucitN
from his desk and rose valiantly to his feet.
Lead me to him!' said he. "Show me the foul
end who dares to lay his grip upon brethren of the
holy house of Saint Bernardo Run down to my
chaplain, brother! Bid him bring the exorcist with
him and also the blessed box of relics, and the bones
and contrite and humble heart we may show front
to all the powers of darkness.
But the sacrist was of more critical turn of
mind. He C1utched the monks arm with grip
which left its five purple spots for many day to
come.
is this the way to enter the Abbots own cham
Der without knock or reverence, or so much as a
Pax 7r0bisc1au ?" said he sternly. "4ou were
wont to be our gentest novice, of lowy carriage in
chapter devout in pSalmOdy and strict IN the
c1oister Pull YOUR wits together and answer me
straight1y. In what form has the foul hend ap-
peared and how has he done this grievous seattle
own eyes, or do you repeat from hearsay? Speak,
man, or you stand on the penance-stool in the
chapter-house this very hOur!"
Thus adiured, the frightened monk grew calmer
in his bearing, though his white lips and his startled
eyes, with the gaspng of his BREATH told OF his in
ward tremOrs
IF it please you, holy father and you, reverend
sacrist it came about in this way. James the sub
prior and Brother John and l had spent our day
from sext onwards on Hankley cutting bracken
for the cow-hOuses. We coming back over
the five-virgate field and the holy subpror was
telling us sanity tale from the life of Saint Gregory
when there came a sudden sound like rushing
torrent and the foul fiend sprang the high
wall which skirts the water-meadow and rushed
upon us with the speed of the wind. The lay
brother he struck to the ground and tramPled into
the mire. Then, seizing the good subpror IN his
teeth he rushed round the field, swinging him as
though he were fardel of old clothes.
Amazed at such a sight, | stood without move .
ment and had said a credo and three aves, when the
Devil dropped the subpror and sprang upon me
With the help of St Bernard | clambered over the
wall but not before his teeth had found my leg and