Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-12-20

piled about it in treacherous, drifting masses They were hospitably receiv- ed by the brothers. whose duty it was to entertain the infrequent guests They drank of the precious cordial, finding it rarely potent and revivtng They listened to the great, ever echo- ing bell and learned that they were pioneer travellers in those gray stone walls over the Englishman whose rest less feet have trodden nearly every corner of the earth.
 At 3 o'clock on the afternoon they arrived the two young Gothamites stood with good Brother Cristofer in the great, cold hallway of the mon- astery to watch the monks march past On their way to the refectory. They came slowly, pacing by twos, with their heads bowed. treading noselessly with sandaled feet upon the rough stone flags As the procession slowly filed past, Eyres suddenly gripped Gil liam by the arm. Look" he whisper ed, eagerly, "at the one just opposite you now-the one on this side, with his hand at his waist--if that isn't Johnny Bellchambers then I never saw him!'
 Gillian saw and recognized the lost glass of fashion "What the deuce," said he, wonder ingly. lis old Bell doing here? Tommy, it surely can't be he! Never heard Of Bell having turn for the religious. Fact is. Pve heard him say things when four in hand didn't seem to tie up just right that would bring him up for court martial before any church." ''It's Bell, without doubt," said Eyres, firmly. "or Pm pretty badly in need of an oculist. But think of Johnny Bellchambers, the royal high chancel- Tor of swell togs and the mahatma of pink teas, up here in cold storage doing penance in a snuff colored bathrober' Brother Cristofer was appealed to for information. By that time. the monks had passed into the refectory. He could not tell to which one they referred Bellchambers? An. the brothers of St. Gondrau abandoned their worldly names when they took the VOWS. Did the gentlemen wish to speak with one of the brothers? If they would come to the refectory and indicate the one they wished to see. the reverend abbot in authority would. doubtless, permit 1t.
 Eyres and Gillian went into the din ing hall and pointed out to Brother Cristofer the man they had seen. Yes, it was Johnny Bellchambers. They saw his face plainly now, as he sat among the dingy. brothers, never look ing up, eating broth from a coarse. brown bowl.
 Permission to speak to one of the brothers was granted to the two trav- elers by the abbot. and they waited in reception room for him to come. When he did come. treading softly in his sandals, both Eyres and Gillian ! looked at him in perplexity and aston ishment. It was Johnny Bellchambers. ] but he had different look. Upon his | smooth shaven face was an expression of ineffable peace, of rapturous attain ment, of perfect and complete happi. ness. His form was proudly erect, his eyes shone with a serene and gracious light. He was as neat and we'll groom ed as in the old New York days. But how differently was he clad! Now he seemed clothed in but single gar ment, long robe of rough brown cloth gathered by a cord at the waist l and falling in straight, loose folds nearly to his feet. He shook hands with his visitors with his old ease and grace of manner. If there was any embarrassment in that meeting it was not manifested by Johnny Bellcham. bers. The room had no seats. They stood to converse.
 ''Glad to see you, old man," said Eyres somewhat awkwardly. Wasn't expecting to find you up here. Not a bad idea, though, after all. Society's an awful sham. Must be relief to shake the giddy whirl and retire to-er contemplation and-er-prayer and hymns and those things"
 "Oh, cut that, Tommy" said Bell. chambers cheerfully. Don't be afraid that I'll pass around the plate. Pm Brother Ambrose here, with just ten minutes to talk to you fellows. That's rather new design in waistcoats you nave on, lSnC IL. Gillian! Are they wearing those things on Broadway now?"
 Its the same old Johnny" said Gil- liam joyfully. What the devil-I mean why Oh, confound it! What did you do it for, old man?"
 "Peel the bathrobe." pleaded Eyres. almost tearfully. "and go back with us. The old crowd'n go wild to see you. This isn't in your line, Bell. I know half dozen girls that wore the willow on the quiet when you shook us in that unaccountable way. Hand in your res ignaton, or get a dispensation. or what ever you have to do to get release from this ice factory. You'n get ca tarrh here, Johnny, and My God. you haven't any socks onY'
 Bellchambers looked down at his san. daled feet and smiled.
 "You fellows don't understand" he said soothingly. It's nice of you to want me to go back, but the old life will never know me again. l have reached here the goal of all my ambi. tions. am entirely happy and con-