The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-26
THE BROKEN LAW
Copyright
 

Rlshts Rsssrvsa.

aires faco.
 You are not we'll" he said after
 long silence. Tt was foolish of you er"
 T am not we'll. But that hardly concerns the matter I came to speak | about.
 If anything were to happen to you" the preacher continued, T would have
 70 do without your support. Life is
 Very true. But intend to provide
 for the Cause in my wiii--if you are content to obey me-" T cannot obey you" cried Father
 Francis. T must obey God, and he
 calls on me to speak all that is in my heart"
 Very we'll. Then you will be able 10 see If you can do without me. 1t VIII be an interesting experiment. But remember, that If I once withdraw my support, shall not give it back again"
 T am servant of God. do not need the help of the world or of rich- es."
 You needed it once" MT. Lampirthy said drily; but you had better think over the matter. I will give you fort
 night Perhaps, when you consider the question in the quietude of this place. you will change your views. I will return to Aberllyn; my motor Is wait. ing there for me-
 T will go with you. These noun tains are dangerous in the dark in this weather"
 Thank you. but won't trouble vou rye got guide. He's shepherd who knows the hills and he's carrying lantern. Good-ufphf Good night" said Father Franc,s gently, and whatever happens in fine future. God bless you for all you have done in the past
 Ten days elapsed, and no word passed between MT, Lampirthy and the preach
 G ihe latter. drunk with the suc- Gess or his preaching. and finding that
 ne had become the most commandinr
 ngure m the religious world had ai- ready decided to continue his work and
 % without Mir. Lampirthy's support
 He had--though as yet he was irnor ant or the fact--lost all control over himself. His brain was unable to resi-.
 6antshment to the south of France would have driven him mad. He was
 pound 10 go on preaching, bound ts continue his work of gathering in souls. He had once told MT Lampir- thy that the curse of rich men was their inability to cease from the accumulation Qt6cdSG, less sordid in its symptoms. was moi very dissfmilar to this He could not cease from his work; he was bound fo continue 1t. Knowing no rest till the day of his death.
 Then one evening. as the preacher
 nelo vast audience speIlbound with nls eloquence, man pushed his way through the crowd and held out aela gram in his hand.
 Fatner Francis took no notice of him. but continued his discourse. The moon
 nung its trail of white fire over the
 crags and passes of the hills. The peo- pie wept and trembled as the preachers
 words swept across them like a storm
 across field of corn. The man waited patiently close against the slab of rock which served as a platform At last the preacher finished, and af- ter long and earnest prayer dismissed
 the people. As they began to move away in silence. the bearer of the tele- gram once more thrust out his hand. Father Francis. whose mind had not | yet returned to earthly things took the
 message without any show of interest.
 and opened the evelope slowly and
 mechanically in the light of lantern which hung on pole by his side.
 Then he read the contents: MT. Lampirthy died at noon. I wish
 to see you; tss Wharf Road. Rother- hithe.--Vtolet Lampirthy." EQF n WuiAS nG StOQu H1oLlOnleSS, ana
 the piece of paper in his hand duttered
 In the faint breeze. His disciples watched him and shivered in their rags. They were tired. cold. and hungry: they waited his signal to depart to the camp. which was half a mile away.
 Then he suddenly sank on his knees, and clssped his hands in prayer. Brethren" he said In clear voice 1t has pleased God to take our dear brother. Harry Lampirthy from the sins and sorrows of this world. Pray with me in silence for little while" All the disciples fell on their knees. and for the space of five minutes there was a great silence.
 Then Father Francis rose to his feet, and the others one by one; not togeth. err as at a signal, but when each had finished his prayer.
 Then one of them began to sing the opening lines of the hymn:
 4 few more years shall roll,
 A few more seasons come.
 The others joined in. and far down the slope the departing crowds paused and listened. and some of them joined in, for the Welsh people are a musical race. and cannot resist the strains of a hymn. And, as they looked back they saw the little band of disciples--a dark patch against the moonlit snow.
 When the hymn was over, Father Francis dismissed his disciples, and re- mained alone on the mountain
 Once more he fell on his knees, and