The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-27
BROKEN LAW
$ by ,. B ia.a. Entered as statossrs. Rashts Ressrved.


 bowed his head. His Iips moved as if in prayer. Then he suddenly raised his eyes, and the woman shrank from his gaze.
 Mrs. Lampirthy," he said slowly
 may God forgive me for the thoughts that were in my mind. for the words that were on my lips. And may God that you will not be afraid in the hour of death"
 You have not asked me why am doing this," she continued. why 1 am forced to do this horrible thing" Because you want your money for other purposes Perhaps because you owe me grudge for what I once said to you It does not matter" Yes. 1t does matter" she exclaim- cd nerceiy; and then, as though asham- ed of raising her voice, she dropped It to a whisper. T want you to know that am acting justly and that my actions will need be forgiveness" Perhaps you have your own ideas of justice.''
 Has 1t never occurred to you" said Mrs. Lampirthy slowly. that the memorable laws of the universe are just. and that as a man has sown. so shall he reap. Have you never been afraid that one day dead and per haps forgotten sin may rise up against
  spite Of all repentance and prayer. may destroy the work which he looks upon as an atonement7 Has this nev- CT occurred to you. Father Francis?"
 There Is forgiveness for sins" he replied In a low voice.
 Yes. perhaps-in the hereafter. But we are taught that the laws are in- exorable. that a mans sin will find him out, that the wages of sin is death. do not know my Bible very well Henry Rankin, but many texts occur to me-"
 He was silent and scrutinized her face with his fierce dark eyes. He understood.
 "So that Is why you have been set against me and my work" he said. after a pause. Have you known all aIong?"
 T did not know until your illness. she replied. T asked to see won while you were unconscious. But for your threats to me should not have asked to see you. You aroused my curiosity. You have only yourself | to thank. Of course. I recognized you at once when you were clean sh aven. l One does not so easily forget Only l one thing has forced me to disregard | my husbands wishes. and that Is the knowledge that am punishing Sir Richard Gaunt for his past sins"
 May God forgive you" he said hoarsely."
 T shall not need forgiveness. I am His instrument of justice. To grati- | fy your own passions you ruined a young and innocent girl. It is fitting that she should rise up again from the past and destroy your work. shall have no pity. And I shall not rest un- til I have ruined you"
 What do you intend to do?"
 My first act" she said calmly, will be to give all the newspapers their freedom. You can then see how long they will let you have their support. shall also refuse to pay you and your preachers. You will all have to work or stanve. But, shall do more than this. shall be actively hostile | to your Cause I shall expose you, | rake up the details of your past, have them published in the papers. Doubt less many of your victims will come forward and join their voices to mine shall not rest till I have ruined you"
 Have you no shame" he exclaim- ed, mo respect for the dead. that you dare to harbour such thoughts at such a time as thisT' 'T do not speak for myself" she replied gravely. T am the instru-. ment of justice. I shall carry out the inexorable law-the law that you have broken"
 Father Francis looked at her stead fly and, though her claims were ridi- cuious he did not smile. The thought struck him that this fraggle, fair-hair- ed little woman was small enough item in the great scheme of Eternal Jus tice; but he knew that she had 1t In her power to do him much harm if the weight of her great wealth were used against him as an active and hostile force.
 T shall endeavour to make you un- derstand your position" she continued. You will be forced to realize that your work only exists by the sup port of the money which you affect to despise. Perhaps you think that your prayers, your personality, your life of self-denial have raised you to the position in which you stand. But you will soon know that only one thing has lifted you out of obscu- rity-my husbands wealth. Thar Is not a pleasant thought for one who Is preaching the gospel of poverty. But it is the truth. And now that you