The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-01-08
A BRAVE DEED.
BY B. De La Fontaine

(By b. de La Fontaine.)
1t was in the year 1891 when France. though
freed from the Reign of Terror by the death of
Robespierre, still groaned under the laws made by
the Jacobins priest was coming! The whis-
pered message had gone forth; and in answer to
The summons, misty forms could be seen hurrying
toward the little hamlet of Saint-Maurice One bv
one they came, though the dew still Law thick on
flower and hedge; and each one as he reached the
hamlet, looked cautiously round before entering
The house where. in defiance of all ediets Mass was
10 be celebrated.
The Mademoiselles de Gagniere, who owned the
house, were well known in the country round for
their pety and charity. Their mother Madame de
Gagnere had been arrested and condemned to
death some years previously for harboring priest
Yet these brave girls-Sophe, the eldest, was only
seventeen-turned one of the upper rooms into
chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament was kept and
Mass celebrated whenever priest succeeded in
tluding the vigilance of the gendarmes
On this particular Sunday morning one was ex-
peced-a venerable old priest who long since had
made the sacrifice of his life and led precarious
existence, hiding now here, there but though
hunted from place to place, consoling the perse
cuted and bringing many back to the Faith they
had lost.
The room which served as a chapel was soon
crowded; and, while watch was kept in the street
below, the Holy Sacrifice was offered the low voice
of the priest and the answering treble of the acoye
alone breaking the silence. At the Domino non
sum dgnus, peasant and nobeman advanced side
by side to receive the Lord of Hosts; then. after
hurried thanksgiving, the congregation began to
dispense The priest soon followed leaving the
sisters TO eace all traces of the recent gathering.
But, though the congregation had succeeded In
dispensing unmolested danger threatened the pious
househod for while the crowd melted away and
the little was restored to its usual state four
gendarmes were starting out from Saint-Ju st-
dAvray, large village, from which good view
could be had of the tiny hamlet In the valley. As
they rode down the hill their suspicious were
aroused by the large number of persons issuing
from Saint-Maurice and, after consulting together
they determined to search the house which formed
the center of the unusual movement.
On being admitted by a rather scared-looking
maid, the gendarmes proceeded to search the prem
lses The lower rooms, however, revealed nothing;
but when they reached the upper floor they found
themselves confronted by door which was locked.
why is this Z" demanded of the men.
"Open at once."
If you please. sir" said the girl "the room is
seldom used, and the key is not at hand"
She spoke with such an air of sincerity that the
men about to retire, when teltale odor of in
cense came from beneath the closed door. On OBJ
serving this the leader thrust the girl aside with
an oath, and. assisted by his companions, broke
open the door.
The small chamber thus revealed looked limo
cent enough; but a few minutes search brought to
light tiny lamp which usually hung before the
Blessed Sacrament and which still smoked, having
been extinguished only when the alarm was first
given. Shortly afterward one of the drew
forth from its place of concealment a golden pyX
containing several consecrated Hosts. With
uant cry, the man thrust his prize into bag which
he carried and, with his companions left the room.
1t would be impossible to describe the feelings
OF the unhappy women who thus saw the Treasure
committed to their care in the hands of these god
less men, Sophie especially was inconsolable. As
she stood listening to the tramp of the horses be-
low, farmers wife came hurrying up ali out of
breath
"Mademoiselle" she exclaimed, ''the gendarmes
are going to the Lion dor, mile up the road and
lhe have slung their travelling bags across their
saddles. 0 Mademoiselle, do you think we could
get it back again?"
Sophie understood the woman's meaning, and
caught eagerly at her suggestion. In few min
ues she had exchanged her ordinary dress for a
PEASANTS costume and had set out on her desperate
expedition accompanied by the farmers wife. The
INST was slowly rising as they hurried along, now
through hedges covered with brambles now
through golden cornfelds waving in the morning
breeze The damp earth chung to their stout leather
boots and overhead larks filled the air with liquid
notes But Sophie needed neither the song of the
ords nor the signs of the coming day; she was con-
Sumed with the desire of rescuing the Blessed Sac
Ianent from the sacrilegious hands into which it
had fallen.
IN the courtyard of the Lion dor Sophie met
NE lnnkeepers youngest daughter.
Where are the horses, little one"
In the stables, Mademoisee."
Then listen! Run in and tell your father to
supply his guests with as much wine they de-
NFe | will pay the bill"
Yes, Mademoiselle," replied the child. with