Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13


bitter wind swept the coast like a
scvthe cutting down the weak and feeble
IN its path But the man did not finch
from his task
He was tired of inaction. During the
dreary months of illness his mind had
worked increasingly: he was longing to
fling himself once more into the thick of
the conflict Everything had seemed so
clear to him as he lay on his bed of sick
ness And all the time he was consumed
with desire to speak out his thoughts
10 the world He felt as though God mad
given him fresh inspiration, as though
his illness had been sent to purify his
heart and strengthen the visions OF his
brain.
And so once again. regardless OF MI
Iampirthy's opposition and the doctor
warnings he went forth to preach MS
gospel to the world. His disciples gTeeted
him with wild enthusiasm and the Neish
peoplC foCked in thousands TO near MINI
His illness had been so much discussea
by the newspapers that II had assumed
the proportions of national calamity
His temperance in public was hailed as
an event of supreme Importance Inc
crowds that gathered together were SO
immense that his voice was scarcely
strong enough to reach to the edge OF
them. Every day he made hundreds OIL
converts to his cause.
1t was a long and bitter winter, Dul
even the severity of the weather seemed
to have no effect on the ardor of Father
Francis and his disciples. nor on the not
enthusiasm of the men and women VINO
came to hear them. The people STOOD
ankle deep in snow. or barred their heaos
in the binding sleet. or knelt on the
ground till their clothes froze TO the Ice
covered rock The words of the preacher
carried them beyond all thought of dis
comfort They were uplifted. in ecstasy
They responded to every tone OF ms
voice: they wept or laughed with JOY as
he willed them to weep or laugh.
But Mr.. Lampirthy. after consultation
with Sir David Llewellyn, learnt that 1t
was his duty to check the fury or the
crusade if he wished Father Francis TO
live. He travelled down into Wales with
the express purpose of persuadlng tne
preacher to relinquiSh his task for rev
months.
He found Father Francis in a small
ruined cottage on the slope of the noun
tains south of Aberllyn. The snow was
sixteen inches deep in this place. which
was nearly a thousand feet above the
level of the sea. Round the cottage were
dozen tents. in which the sturdy foi-
lowers of the cause endured every hard-
ship that cold and self-denial could bring
them. Father Francis himself only sought
the superior warmth and shelter OF stone
walls because he had been in the doctor
hands and wished to keep all his bodily
strength for his crusade.
Mr. Lampirthy shaddered as he entered
the room. which was on the ground moor
The ceiling was dark with moisture. Tor
part of the roof had fallen in and the
room above was open to the sky. There
was not a stick of furniture In the place,
and the only signs of occupancy were a
few rugs and an empty box turned upside
down. Some damp sticks spluttered IN
the crate and poured out thick volume
of smoke. Father Francis stood at one
of the windows and looked out at the
clear. frosty sky. There was no glass 10
dim the scene that lay before his eyes
What devil of hole to live i'm said
Mr.. Lampirthy, roughly. Look here
Gaunt. you'll kill yourself il you sleep
in these sort of places
Il am ashamed of it, the preacher re-
piled without turning his head. My
followers are content with bare rag OF
canvas to shelter them. But for my ILL
ness l would not dare to sleep in SO
much luxury.
Luxury exclaimed Mr.. Lamprthy,
walking up to Father Francis and grip
ping him fiercely by the arm Look here,
Gaunt, I've come down here to put an
end to this nonsense. You must have
rest. You must go to the south of France
till the summer.
Go to the south of France. Mr.. Lam
pirthy? You must be dreaming.
No il is you who are dreaming. You
must be sensible. Llewellyn says you'll
kill yourself if you're not careful"
Bah, doctors are fools! My body is as
strong as that of a horse. l feel no ia
tigue. no cold. L am as well as L ever
was in my life
Mr.. Lampirthy looked at the thin. mus
cular frame. at the deep-set. burning
eyes. at the unhealthy flush on the
sunken cheeks.
You can't stand it," he said. quietly.
you've knocked about a bit in the past,
you know.
Il know my own strength. 1t is no
business of yours Mr.. Lampirthy.'
millionaire
cit is my business. l am running this
show. paying the bills. I want to see you
win. If you were a racehorse L should
consider il my business to see that you
were we'll and strong. fit to win the race"
Father Francis turned away from the
window and paced up and down the tiny
room. Then he paused and fixed his
burning eyes on Mr.. LampirthyS face.
Il am very grateful to you he said,
sternly: very grateful for all you have
done. God will reward YOU. Yet should
like you to understand that the battle is
over. the cause has triumphed. We no
longer need the assistance of your wealth
The nation has responded TO the call of
God. ! hold the people in my hands
He stretched out his lean fingers and
erasped at the air. Mr.. Lampirthy
smiled.
These emotional people are slippery"
he replied: they go as easily as they
come. But ] am here to insist on your
having long rest. Your disciples can
south of France: you must be idle: you
must not even think or write a letter.
You will return to your work with re-
doubled energy | insist on this
And If / refuse?
Il shall withdraw my support
Father Francis studied the millionaire s
face
You are not we'll" he said. after a
long silence. 1T was foolish of you 10
come 10 this place in such weather.
Il am not we'll But that hardly con-
Germs the matter | came to speak about
IF anything were to happen TO you.
the preacher continued. Il should have to
do without your support. Life is uncer-
tain.
Very true. But | intend to provide for
the cause in my will--if you are content
TO obey me-.
Il cannot obey you. cried Father
Francis. Il must obey God and He calls
ou me TO speak all that is i'll my heart. y
Very we'll. Then YOU will be able 10
see if you can do without me. Ii will be
an interesting experiment, But remember.
that if / once withdraw my support,
shall not give il back again.
II am a servant OF God. / do not need
the help of the world or of riches
You needed il once" Mr.. l.ampirthy
said. driy: but you had better think
over the matter. ! will give you fort
night. Perhaps when you consider the
question in the quietude of this place.
You will change your views. ] Will re-
turn 10 Aberllyn: my motor is waiting
there for me.
Il will go with you. These mountains
are dangerous i'm the dark in this