The Washington herald., 1906-11-16

mission, redeemed his VOW. and now on
the dawn Of the twelfth hour the cup Of
triumph was snatched from his lips. and
Providence presented in its place a
draught Of Incompatible bitterness.
For long tale OF years he had been un-
consciously plotting and planning the de-
stTuction Of his own parent. His father
was now his prisoner under sentence Of
death passed by the council which he had
himself created. He himself was intrust-
ed with the work Of effecting the dread
decree. He remembered the old world
famed story Of the Spartan father who
had condemned his own wicked son 10
death and remOTselessly enforced the
Judgment The relative positions were in
this case reversed. He. the son. had pro-
cured his own father TO be condemned.
He wondered miserably If he could find
fortitude enough in his heart to carry his
duty into execution. He had TO combat no
ties Of natural affection, for he owed his
parent nothing but Contumely and hatred;
but in spite Of that, and in spite of the
complete and dreadful proof he possessed
of the Count d Attala's mOnstrOus crimes,
the heart OF Perigord was so soft and
prone 10 reverence that IL appeared to
him that Notwithstanding what he might
elect 70 do he stood upon the threshold
of unacceptable spiritual annihilation He
had the choice Of two ways; either TO
keep faith with God and man. in which
case he became a parTicide, or to assist
his father 10 escape, a course which
would make him forsworn Of God and
traitor 10 his fellows.
For long hours he wrestled with his
so full Of unspeakable agony that his
physical frame was troubled and the
sweat poured from him so freely as TO
mark the ground on which he lay. 1t
seemed to him that the Almighty had
imposed on him a burden too great for
mortal man 10 bear. He had devoted his
life to mission which. from the moment
Of its conception, he had believed God
inspired and God protected. For mo-
ment he dared to dispute the issue and
to rail at his Creator for so treacheTOus-
ly Tewarding his years Of service and
seif-saCTifice.
The moment passed, and he expiated
the blasphemy with a prayer so heartfelt
and entirely earnest that his spirit be-
came at length filled with a species of
ecstasy, and he rose to his feet peaceful
and purposefuI believing that Heaven
had thuswise sent its answer to his cry.
Twilight had already drawn its mantle
round the earth. and he descended the
steps in the cleaning marveling to find
how softly beautiful the world appeared,
under its awning of awakening stars.
whose western folds were still flushed
family with a tender amber radiance,
which shot IN spiral streams across the
sky and gently touched the east with
gold
He drew fresh comfort from the glory
OF the heavens, fresh purpose from the
peace on sea and land. His first act on
arriving at the beach was to seek out
Cressingham and Oeltjen.
To the latter he said gently: GO, my
friend, TO the yacht, and bring back with
you the priest and fine gentlemen whom
you will find awaiting word from me"
When Oeltien had gone, he said to
Cressingham: You. my lord, desire will
take message to our prisoner. Tell him
that my plans are altered. and he must die
within an hour. Should he ask for me,
say that I shall not 60 Tell him further
that priest is here who will confess him
IL he wills"
Cresslngham departed, and presently en-
tered the counts tent. The old man was
still seated before the now empty cham