Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-03-03

WOTu, TO IClul II " 0ON~ O~A'
what particular line OF her former
folly"
Father Rogan answered nothing.
During the silence that succeeded, he
sat with a quiet expectation beaming
In his full, lambient eye.
IF you would listen began Lori
son. The priest held up his hand
LAS I hoped" he said. Il thought
you would trust me. Wait but mo-
ment." He brought long clay pipe.
filled and lighted 1t.
Now, my son." he said.
Lorison poured twelvemonth's ac-
cumulative confidence into Father Ro-
gan's ear. He told all: not sparing
himself or emitting the facts of his
past. the events of the night, or his
disturbing conjectures and fears.
THE main point" said the priest,
when he had concluded, seems to me
to be this-are you reasonably sure
that you love this woman whom you
have married."
why" exclaimed Lorison, rising
impulsively to his feCt-"why should
deny it? But look at mean I fish,
flesh or fowl? That is the main point
to me, l assure you"
81 understand you," said the priest,
also rising and laying down his pipe.
THE situation Is one that has taxed
the endurance of much older men than
you-in fact, especially much older
men than you. l will try to relieve you
from 1t, and this night. You shall see
for yourself into exactly what predic-
ament you have fallen, and how you
shall, possibly, be extricated. There
is no evidence SO credible as that OF
the eyesight."
The two went out upon the street.
The priest turned his face down It,,
and Lorison walked with him through
squalid district, where the houses
doomed, awry and desolate looking,
high above them. Presently they
turned into less dismal side street,
where the houses were smaller, and,
though limiting of the most meager
comfort, lacked the concentrated
wretchedness of the more populous
byways.
At a segregated two-story house
Father Rogan halted, and mounted the
steps with the confidence Of familiar
visitor. He ushered Lorison into a
narrow hallway, family lighted by a
cobwebbed hanging lamp. Almost i'm
mediately a door to the right opened
and dingy Irishwoman protruded
her head.
Good evening to ye Mistress
Geehan," said the priest, unconscious
favored brogue. And is 1t yourself
can tell me If Norah has gone out
again, the night, maybe?"
"Oh, it's yer blessid reverence!
Sure l can tell ye the same. The
purity darlin' whit out, as usual, but a
bit later. And she says: Mother
Geehan,' says she, it's me last night
out. praise the saints, this noight is!
And, OH yer reverence, the swate
beautiful drame Of a dress she had
this tonne! White satin and silk and
ribbons, and lace about the neck and
arrums-'twas a sin, yer reverence,
the gold was spint upon it."
The priest heard Lorison catch his
breath painfully, and faint smile
flickered across his own clean-cut
mouth.
well, then, Mistress Geehan," said
he, "1'll just step upstairs and see
the bit of boy for minute, and I'll
take this gentleman up with me-"
Hes awake, thin" said the woman
I've just come down from sitting wild
him the last hour, filling him fine
shtories of ould County Tyrone. 'Tis
greedy gossoon, 1t Is, yer reverence,
for me shtories."
Small the doubt" said Father
Rogan. There's no rocking would
put him to slape the quicker, I'm
thinking"
Amid the woman's shrill protest
against the retort, the two men as
cended the steep stairway. The priest
pushed open the door of a room near
it's top.
rs that you already, sister,"
drawled a sweet, childish voice from
the darkness.
TITS only ould Father Denny come
to see ye, darlin'; and a foine gintle-
man I've brought to make We a
gr-r-rand call. And We resaves us
fast aslape In bed! Shame on yez
manners!"
"Oh, Father Denny, is that you?
I'm glad. And will you light the lamp,
please? It's on the table by the door
And quit talking like Mother Geehan,
Father Denny"
The priest lit the lamp, and Lorison
saw tiny, towsled-haired boy, with a
thin. delicate face, sitting up in a
small bed in corner. Quickly, also,
his rapid glance considered the room
and its contents. 1t was furnished
with more than comfort, and it's
adornments indicated a woman's dis
corning taste. An open door beyond
revealed the blackness of an adioin-
ing rooms interior.
The boy clutched both of Father