The Washington times., 1913-12-26
THEHOUR OF CONFLICT
by A. HamIIt0n-GibbS geepyEs lss 9 rank 4 Mgay Co..
Son

+, wimeeux and the golf club. They de-
cided that he had come by 1t and in
dulged in speculations as to where ne
was staying.
| he was causing, Leyden wandered along,
looking idly about him until the table
outside cafe reminded him that he
was hot and thirsty. He sat down and
ordered beer.
Where does NJ. le Cure liver he
| asked.
The waiter flung out an arm. TOO
bad he said, but 1t Is now five min
| utes only that 1 saw him go down to-
ward the seashore. Monster will find
, him?''
Leyden nodded.
Continue along this street, and in
i dozen PAGES You will arrive at the
shore. Then you cannot miss M.
Apoc. He smiled and wagged his
| mead as IL he had made an excellent
WHY not?" asked Leyden.
me man spread himself and showed
his teeth. Because he Is Of q bigness-
un Herculei'
Leyden gave the man a franc pour.
ooire, was rewarded by an amazing se-
res OF bows and scraplngs, and con-
tinued his way through the Village until
he came at last to the seashore again.
the dozen PAGES developing into a olar.
| ter OF a mile. The yellow sands stretch
ed away to the right, and the only fig
ure in the landscape was that Of a
walked slowly along.
Leyden stood still for a moment. look
Ing at him in surprise. lnste ad of the
weedy, old, white-haired man he had
who stood at the very leasr six feet in
his socks and who was broad in proper
tion. His cassock was shiny and worn
IN places. and he was carrying his hat
under his arm. allowing the sun to
shine full upon his face.
Leyden noted the determined law Of
the man and wondered exceedingly why
such a useful specimen had wasted
himself by becoming "a religion-mon-
ger" He failed to see the point With
face and physique like that he might
nave done big things: and yet he was
pottering about in d-and- alive sea-
side village! IT was amazing.
Tho priest, on his side, remembered
the odd attitude of his niece when she
had told him about the golfing Eng
lishman. He decided that this must be
the man, and eyed him keenly to see
why the girl hadebeen alar med. When
Leyden raised his hat and gave him
good day, therefore, the priest bowed
and stopped, a mixture Of interest and
cold politeness.
They were q curiously contrasted cou-
pie, these two-the one with the worn
workaday clothes of somber black unre-
lieved except by the tiny row Of white
beads round the edge OF the rabat at
his chin. a man whose whole existence
was the abnegation of self: the other
with beautifully cut, expensive tweeds.
brogued golf shoes, the very personifi-
cation of twentieth century civilization,
whose life was the cult Of self. The
one simple, with the clear outlook of a
1t: the other sauntering unconcernedly.
thoughtlessly along the line OF least re-
sistance without ever having faced him.
self up with facts; the one steering a
steady course to a certain harbor, the
other. rudderless and anchorIess, drift
ing in whatever direction the wind blew
at the moment.
The able was wondering what manner
Of man stood up inside those immacu-
late garments when Leyden, with the
most bland of smiles, asked IL he had
not the pleasure of addressing NJ. PAbbe
Guerchard.
The priests eyebrows struggled not
20 move. but they went up irresistibly.
low did this stranger know his name?
Leyden explained that he had been
permitted to sympathize with the
priests brother on his increasing corpu-
lence, and that, moreover he had been
able to recommend a more pleasant and
efficacious remedy than vinegar
The abbe held out his hand. his eyes
''You must indeed be a good friend of
his" he said. "Allow me 70 consider
you as my friend also"
strength of the priests grip. That is
very kind Of you," he answered. 81
should like nothing better. Suppose We
sit down? That is. II you are not busy"
The priest flung down his hat and sat
on the sand beside II.
Have you walked over here to have
a look at my beautiful village?" asked
the able.
Leyden produced his cigarette case
and held it out No." he said "I
came because ! wanted to have a look
Both men laughed The abbe was de-
lighted at the Englishman's frankness.
i was ,s SO sskeS sSnpsfsy tSDs
were going to see some sort of freak"
NO said Leyden. "As a matter of
fact, I expected to find you a charm
ing old man with white hair and a
Liable Guerchard shook with laugh
ter. But this is delicious" he said.
why aRain?'
"Oh, ! dunno said Leyden. 81 rather
got the idea into my head somehow that
all French priests were old and white
"And senileg" The priests gray eyes
fixed him.
Leyden shrugged his shoulders.
Yes he said If ySn ,,b inss1 sn,Is tbaf nf
took out all the sting.
The able looked at him with twin
kle of amusement. Because man
chooses to wear a soutane and try and
look after other mems souls as well as
his own, you think he must necessarily
be a brainless imbecile?'
Leyden looked out 10 sea and blew
several little tunnels OF smoke through
his nose. Must I answer that?' he
said
The able smiled and flung out his
hands. You have salready answered."
he said, by your refusing TO do so.'
Leyden laughed. Very WE'LL" he