Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16
VII.
VII.
The Enemy Within the Gates.

tUc WHY piuluCSt IOOu.
VII.
The Enemy Within the Gates.
When Father Francis reached Dartford
road 1t was nearly dark. He was worn
out with want OF food. and his long in
terview with the millionaire had strained
his powers OF body and mind to the ut
most. But even on the way home the
fierce ardor Of his spirit hared up into
words. Twice he stopped and spoke TO
the people-once In the Strand outside the
ofYices OF a weli-known newspaper. and
again in one OF the East End slums. He
poured out the vial Of his wrath against
the great city, where men went to and
fro all day In their desire for money: he
spoke Of tho nobler and the better life.
in which all men should be content with
little. and should think more of their
minds and souls than OF their bodies. I'm
the first instance he was stopped by the
police. In the second he was jeered at
by q little band OF unemployed.
STOW yer jaw shouted one burly ruff
nan. go to them as as almonds and
Gawd don't feed starvin' men nowadays.
<Aiio WI l. oCb 10, WO WOh ave -
any price!'
Az he climbed up the uncarpeted stairs
to his bare. cherries room. the words OF
this man still rang in his ears. What was
he going to do for such as these? They
were asking for bread and what was he
going to give them? A mere exhortation
to Be content with little? He remem-I
bered the words Of Christ: THE poor you
r,,t her he h.H c,o..A th. aoor ana
lit the candle his physical cravings for
food drove all other thoughts from his
mind. He took a loaf OF new bread in
his thin. muscular hands. and tore at e
his strong white teeth. It was delicious
q food for men. When he had taken the
edge OF his appetite. he added the relish
Of small piece OF cheese. He washed
the meal down with q glass OF water.
When he had finished his brain began to
work. The meal itself suggested the idea
to him. 1T was delicious" he said TO
himself. yet Il only seemed 30 because I
existence. Every one is pleased with
that which they cannot always set. Put
tho whole plan Of social life on q lower
level Of comfort and luxury and every
one vii! be satisfied With very little"
He did not see another lesson. which
he might have learnt. He did not ponder
on the fact that the sight OF food had
driven all else from his mind. and that
even the great cause was forgotten In the
had done 80 the incident might have
struck fear into his heart. The body
cries out for food and, until the body is
satisfied. all noble thoughts must 60 to
the wall.
Gaunt's meditations were interrupted
by a knock at the door. In response 10
his invitation to enter the landlady APP.
psarsd with q lighted candle in her hand.
Her thin. white face looked ghouiish in
the Pickering light.
"What about the rent?" she croaked.
dismally.
He rose to his feet and held out three
and sixpeBce in the palm Of his hand.
She took the money without word OF
thanks and then turned 10 leave the
room. On the threshold, however. soma
kindly idea seemed to strike her.
TITS mortal cold ere" she eroaned.
mortal cold
1T is not warm" he answered.
There's a bit of a fire downstairs. il
you'd like to warm yer feet. The feet do
get cold without a fire.
mo. thanks. Mrs. Hill. am going out
in a minute
might have expressed pity in face more
adapted for the display Of emotion.
you'll be paying yer rent more reGler.
maybe" she said. after pause.
II hope to do So.
Got work, ave yer?"
Eyes, Mrs. Hill. I've got work
mo more OF this shoutin' and preachin'
and 'owiin'. as don't bring yer in brass
'a'penny"
HILL"
She looked at him with cold. unseeing
eyes.
1.-The folk in this street do larf at yer.
Mr.. Francis" she said. after pause.
FOR avn yer In this 'ouse. But / sez to-
them strife. SO long as e pays Is rent.
that's wot ] ses, so long as q pays is
rent reg'ler.
Father Francis did not answer, but a
faint smile played about the corners OF
his mouth.
GOOD night" said Mrs Hill. and she
closed the door behind her with crash
that ratified the window. He heard her
steps creaking down the Stare.
In half an hours time he went out into
tho streets and continued the work that
he had set himself to do. The result was
not gratifying 10 an enthusiast. HE was
with dinacuity rescued from q crowd OF
from the hands OF the law by the inter
vention OF a kindly clergyman. His face
had been cut by stone and there was
nasty bruise on his forehead. His limbs
ached. He felt tired out in mind and
body. When he regained the calm and
shelter Of his room he drank greedily
from the water jug. Then ne opened a
small pocket Bible and read 1t diligently.
he BLDG vas comparatively new oook
to the man who had once been known as
Sir Richard Gaunt. As child he had
been forced to read il. and q few texts
and facts had remained In his memory,
even In his darkest hours OF sin and deg
When. In the wastes Of the Arabian
desert. he aWoke to the possibilities of a
new life. and when clean living. and pure
air and solitude. and time for reflection
had worked a change In his brain and
heart. he had no opportunity of studying
the sacred book. All his plans for the
future were founded on his own con-
scioueness Of what was right and wrong.
and his thoughts only dweit on the evils
existing in the world and possible
remedy for them.
The hrst copy OF the Bible came into
his hands when he was working his way
back 10 England on d tramp steamer. II
belonged to fellow stolser. who had. to
use the mans own words. got religion"
The book was grimed with coal dust. the
cover and some Of the outer pages were
chaYred With IRE. An angry atheist had
once thrown 1t into the furnace and had
been laid up with . broken jaw for tho
rest Of the voyage The history OF this
little volume appealed to Sir Richards
imagination.
(Te be continued next Sunday