Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-25

can bear"
Choking with emotion, and with a
craving for air, he raiGed himself a
little, turning his face instinctiyely to
ward the light.
Apparently Lioubruno added TO his
character of brigand the more peace
full callings Of carpenter and carver,
and by some curious irony Of fate
his carvings were almost all Of them
ecclesiastical in this secret retreat OF
banditti were to be found delicately-
carved alm-boxes. destined for some
rich cathedral or church beautifully
| designed rosaries, when might some
day find a home in the private ora
tory of wealthy noble, and crosses
| by the dozen, because for them the
market was always good. Carlo was
so much accustomed to observing
things carefully, that he instinctively
took in all these little details, spite Of
his grieyous trouble. Lionbruno had
set a couple of torches in a carved
sconce, had lighted a small lamp with
a tin reflector, and, seated on stool
beneath 1t, was working with apparent
lazinesss, but with wonderful effect,
on a crucifix.
For some minutes Carlo watched In
silence The carving of one of the
pierced hands, then flood OF light
suddenly oyerpowered his darkness.
Was it more than man could bear,
this that had come to him?
He could not submit, no healthy hui
man nature could submit, to objectless
pain or needless sacrifice; but could
not he, too, seek only to do Gods
will and quietly take the conse-
quences, facing world, the flesh, and
devil, as the Divine Man had done in
the strength of dauntless faith?
Yes, he felt that it was possible.
There was in the very depths of his
being c0mething upon which he could
at will fall back, strength infinitely
greater than this craving for the joys
of life and love and freedom; stronger,
too, than that side Of his love for
Francesca which made him tremble at
the thought of her grief and loneli'
ness.
Carlo vas no theologian, probably
he could not have put into many-syl'
Tabled terms his own firm belief, but
he had the insight Of pure heart
and the vigor of one who has always
tried to conquer his own weaknesses
In a very simple and literal way he
believed that God was his Father
not in aame only. but in very truth
He knew that he, in common with ev
cry human being, had it in his power
to live as a son or as an alien; anc
| he knew, by that most sure proof the
experience of daily life, that he coulC
only overcome the cravings of selhsh
ness by constant effort to CONT
into closer union with that life-givin&
Spirit to whom he was truly akin
that so his spirit might not starye
but grow and develop.
The confusion, caused by physica
weakness. and the shock OF findin'
himself at the mercy of the merciless
began to fade, as he realized th'
strength OF that wisdom and love ant
peace which reigns above all the sin
of the world. and which is, in truth
taking it away" by the eternal powe
of love and sacrifice He felt sor
of surprise that only few minutes
/ ago the struggle within him had beef
so desperate. the revolt against hi
fate so vehement. After all, wha
ia It matter if, for a time, evi
seemed to triumph and might to con
quer right? Had it not Glway'
seemed to be so since the beginnin;
of the world? And yet had not gooC
steadily advanced. triumphant through
apparent defeat? Above all the an
guisn if his grief and pain and loss
there came to him, as there had Otter
come during those three years, {
wonderful happiness the pure delight
OF realizing the perfect will of God
al d with his whole heart trying to dc
it.
Looked at through this other atmOs
phere. tho future seemed less formid
able TO meet, though not one viii
| less important wave of horror
passed over him as he realized what
might be happening at that very mo
ment. and all thought OF self dice
within him. as, in terrible reaction
he passed from the vision of perfect
purity and love to the thought of i'm
purity and sin. In an agony he
prayed. willing now to die a Thousand
! deaths rather than that Anita SHOULD
sink into this black abyss, this h@lisf
contradiction to all love and light.
1t mattered nothing to him that
many would consider his adhesion tc
! Christs law as to marriage mere Cd
fashioned prejudice, it mattered moth
ing to him that the worldly-wise
would say he was throwing away his
life for the sake of keeping his sister
from the infringement of conven
tional law He knew that 1t was not
so. For since it is the pure in heart
who sec God it is also the prre in
heart who intuitively shrink from evil
and realize without analyzing the
hatefulness OF impurity.
SO the night hours passed by. ant
he prayed increasingly for Nita's SAT