Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-09-10

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 noiselessly
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, lat the one just opposite
! you now-the one on this side. with his
hand at his waist-if that isn't johnny
Bellchambers then l never saw himr'
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 II turn for the religious
| Fact Is, I've heard him say things
when four in hand didn't seem to tie
up just right that would bring MIN up
for court martial before any church
ITS Bell. without doubt" said
Eyres. firmly. "or I'm pretty BADLY in
need of an oculist But think of johnny
Bellchambers the royal nigh chanceI-
Tor of swell toys and the mahatma Of
pink teas, up here in cold storage doing
penance in a snuff colored bathrobe!'
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? All, 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 it
Eyres and Gillian went into the din
ing hall and pointed out to Brother
Cristofer the man they had seen Yes
1t 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 1t was Johnny Bellchambers.
but he had a different look Upon his
smooth shaven face was an expression
OF fneffable peace, of rapturous attain
ment, of perfect and complete happi
ness. His form was proudly erect, his
eyes shone with q 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, a long robe of rough brown
cloth gathered by cord at the waist
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 1t 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
bad idea. though, after ALL Society's
an awful sham. Must be a 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. I'm
Brother Ambrose here. with just ten
minutes to talk to you fellows That's
rather new design in waistcoats you
have on. isn't it. Gillian? Are they
wearing those things on Broadway
now?"
IT'S the same old Johnny" said Gil
liam joyfully. What the DEVIL mean
why oh. confound it! What did you
do it for, old man?"
peel the bathrobe." pleaded Eyres
almost tearfully, land go back with us
The old crowd'll so wild to see YOU.
This isn't in your line. Bell. know
half Il dozen girls that wore the willow
on the quiet when you shook us in that
unaccountable way. Hand In your res
fgnation, or get dispensation, or what
ever you have to do to get release
from this ice factory. You'll get ca
tarrh here, Johnny, and My God. you
haven't any socks orr
Bellchambers looked down at his san
daled feet and smiled
you fellows don't understand" he
said soothingly. Its nice Of you to
want me to so back, but the old life
will never know me again have
reached here the goal of all my amhi
tons, am entirely happy and con
tented. Here shall remain for the re-
mainder OF my days You see this ROBE
that | wear?" Bellchambers caressing
~ touched the straight hanging gar
ment- AT last | have found something
that will not bag at the knees have
attained
At that moment the deem hoor of tha