The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-07-07

II was DIT lue llllle vi tue eNShluS
nun, setting gloriously in the scenic
and romantic west. The Clugniac
monks Of Iona were taking their GUS
tomary walk prior to supper. They
were looking at boat in the distance
rs If ii made for the island.
Nearer and still nearer it came, un-
ill they could hear the rythmic plash
of the oars and the monotonous song
of the boatmen keeping steady stroke.
Soon they distinguished a man seated
IN the stern. He was gazing with visit
ful eyes on the sacred buildings of the
nttle island home. For the first time
ne beheld the Cathedral and Saint
Grams chapel, and the sight took him
back to the time when Saint Column
ba, with twelve followers had taken
refuge there, from Ireland, from out
ward dominion. That to the man in
the beat was a matter of history.
By this time the Clugnias brothers
Rad gathered on the beach awaiting
the arrival Of the boat, an interesting
event to them in the midst of their
secluded life. They were of sad and
severe countenance. They looked as
n they carried with them the scenes
amid which they lived. At that sea-
son of the year their little island was
Of weird and melancholy appearance,
and the sea, wild enough occasionally,
while the mournful sky, now beautiful
with great white clouds sleeping in
uncertain sunlight might be soon
dark and pitiless as the coming doom.
The brothers Of Clugniac were no ex-
eeption to the rule that humans are
creatures Of environment; and the
coming stranger, If stranger he proved
himself to be, would receive a warmer
welcome than the outward appearance
Of the brothers might indicate.
AS the small craft approached land
the stranger, by the garb he wore, was
recognized as member of the Bene-
lictine Order. And when at last the
Boat grated on the pebbly beach the
earsmen unshipped the oars. assisted
their passenger to land. and then sat
down again to rest after their hard
Aoil.
Having stepped on soil made sacred
by many hallowed associations the
Benedictine priest crossing himself and
Bending low. said. Peace be unto you,
honored brothers of the Clugniac COM
munity."
"And unto you. also," they replied;
adding, Welcome. twice welcome, to
She hest we have"
Pointing in the direction of the boat
men. who seemed pleased for breath
ing spell, he said, "The boatmen will
be glad and grateful for refreshment
and lodging for the night; on the
morrow they will return. AS for me-"
he said, with far away look, my
stay here will depend on how soon
can see" But the sentence was nev-
or finished. He added quickly, and
with some confusion, Excuse me, but
! may not now speak of my secret
quest Is the Father Superior well2
Wonder if l can see him soon?"
"He is well thank you" one an
swered land he might have audience
with you now"
The procession moved slowly from
the shore up, up and away towards the |
sacred buildings in the distance, until |
they were under the shadow of the |
place where a religious light had been |
kindled. Meanwhile the curiosity of the |
Clugniac brothers had been aroused, |
not only by what the stranger had |
said, but what he had left unspok-
en-. They wondered greatly whom he |
had come to see. Moreover, his gentle |
manly bearing and intellectual appear
ance had made favorable impression |
pu their minds.
AS they approached the rectory the |
Father Superior stood at the front door |
for he, too, had observed the unusual /
eommotion the coming OF the stranger |
had caused. The visitor looked tired,
for he had traveller long and far, and |
his face betokened that he was glad |
that he was at his journeys end. |
Handing his letters of introduction to |
the Father Superior he was soon made |
to feel the warmth of the kindly well !
come.
Father john" said the Father Su- |