The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-24
(ContInued)

nestly. He noted how the hideous and stubbiy growth of bristie had blurren his features. Some men would nave laughed heartily at their appearan.e in similar circumstances. But fatner Francis did not smile.
 Put back the glass" he said quietly, "and tell the lady that will see her. The little maidservant left the room and a few moments afterwards return ed. holding open the door for Lady Sct- ty Drake.
 Father Francis rose to his feet and bowed awkwardly. She held out her hand, and he took it In his thin nnSers. Civility required this at least of him T am glad to see that you are bet ter" she said gently. Though we have only met once. l have followed your career from the day met you. l was sincerely grieved to hear of your Ill., ness.
 @It is good of you" he muttered; please sit down. What terrible swept wilderness. T was in the neighborhood. she replied, -and I particularly wished to see you"
 She sat down on a hard deal chair, v fioosened the heavy fur stole which
 from her Shoulders. Father
 Bis, who had slightly shifted nis
 HlOH WnSu tue HCtNGuN ASAN ~-~N ArA4l, was in the shadow. and the light of the lamp was on hls visitors face. He clasped his hands and star cd at the fire. waiting for her to ex- plain her visit
 aYoung Harry Brandon she said. af- ter pause. sTt was of him wished to speak to you.''
 eoh. yes that poor Eirl--your secre- tary--I understand. would have sent her message but for my Illness. It was so soon afterwards.' T.
 aYes, yes, I know. she said hastily. "The girl came to the funeral. She told me that she prayed for your death" The mans face grew hard and grim. He wondered If the prayer of heart broken girl would be answered.
 "But she has repented of her wick ed prayer" continued Lady Betty. sshe has asked me to tell you this. She thinks that you did what you believed to be right"
 Henry Brandon died in a great cause. He was the first martyr. God will reward him and those who loved him"
 "so T tried to explain" the woman said nervously. Tt was hard--at first. but, now she understands"
 'Tt is we'll" he replied: and then there was long silence
 ''Is she stilf with you?" he asked afs
 aYes. she. fs stin with me"
 T ag1 glad of that. One can forget ones sorrows in work. And you? How has your work progressed? Are you happy? Are you content?
 q am not content There is so much to do, more than I can deal with. But the work is prosperfng."
 Again there was silence. Father .arS tA~s -N Na man had come to see him He did not believe that the death of Harry Bran don was a suificient motive for her visit,
 Then the door opened. and the ugly little servant appeared.
 If you please. num-" she said hur- riedly, 'the missus wants to know if yer,d like fire in yer room"
 Lady Betty Drake flushed crimson as she encountered the inauiring gaze Of s''Yes, pfeass.F she answefed. and the girl left the room. -3s 7
 You are staying here tonight?. ask ed the preacher, after a pause. "Ye--es." she replied, 'the roads are teo bad to get back to Aberliyn to- night"
 he replied sternly. You have come up from London to see me. Only mat ter of importance could have brought you so far in this weather"
 Yes" she said, with a nervous laugh. T have come up to see you on a matter of importance"
 1t is good of you" he muttered: but he did not look at her, and shaded the firelight from his eyes with. one hand.
 "A fortnight ago." she continued. T met Sir pavids Llewellyn at dinner party. We had long talk about you. He told me all about your illness, and he told me that you would have to be very careful in the future"
 "An unusual subject of conversation at a dinner" the man answered drily: ''and if I may say so. Sir David was guilty of breach of professional con fidence."
 T dragged it out of him." she said quickly. You see, have always talk en an interest in you and your work. have prayed for you every night"
 You are a good woman." he replied. after a pause. "and am sure that your prayers have been heard"
 And now I have come to ask some thing of you she continued, and wish you to regard me. not as an tn- pertinent stranger. but as one who takes a heartfelt interest in you"
 q shall always regard you in that light" he rnurmured.
 "Sir David told me- she said in a low voice, that you are not strong enough to stand the excitement and toil of your present work. and that you will break down. that perhaps even your mind will gave way. Pardon me speak ing SO plainly, but am very much in earnest"
 "He told me the same" the man an- swered grinly. He knows what he is talking about"
 'T have come here tonight" she con- tinued. "to ask you to rest for l.-.Ie while--to take a years holiday, At the end of that time you win be able to deal with your work as you cannot deal with 1t now. It win be all for the good of your Cause. If you continue altogether. and then. who will take your placer Not only for your own sake. but for the work which is so dear to you. implore you to rest for a while-for a year"
 For a few moments Father Francis was silent. Then he rose unsteadily to his feet and gripped the mantle piece with one hand.
 ."FoT year?" he cried hercely. You ask me to wait for a year? must work. work. work, and not lose min ute of my time. For the night 10 coming. when no man can work"
 Lady Betty looked at his haggard face and sunken eyes. and her heart was filled with pity and terror She saw the. birth of madness on the face of the man she loved. and she cast aside all prudence and self-restraint.
 She rose to her feet with cry of anguish and gripping his arm with s.L. "A. -N.N- .