Oxford Democrat., 1914-10-06

Bellchambers. the rOyai ngn cnancei
lor Of swell togs 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. Rellchambersf All. the
brothers of 1t. Gondrau abandoned
their worldly names when they took
the vows. Did the gentlemen wish to
speal: With one of the brothers? II
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
Crstofer 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 M. 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
a reception room for him to come.
When he did come. treading softly in
his sandals. both Eyres and Gillian
looked ut him in perplexity and aston
ishment. 1t was Johnny Bellchambers.
but he had Il different look. Upon his
smooth shaven face was IN expression
Of ineffable peace. Of rapturous attain
ment. Of perfect and complete happi-
ness. His form was proudly erect, his
eyes shone with serene and gracious
light He was as neat and well 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 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. II 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 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 a new design in waistcoats you
have on, isn't It, Gilliam7 Are they
wearing those things on Broadway
nowT
"Its the same old Johnny" said GIL
liam joyfully. what the DEVIL mean
why Oh, confound it! What did you
do It for, old manT
"Peel the bathrobe." pleaded Eyres.
almost tearfully. "and 90 back with US.
The old crowd'll 60 wild to see you.
This isn't in your line, Bell. I know
half a dozen girls that wore the willow
on the quiet when you shook US in that
unaccountable way. Hand In your res
tgnat.on, 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 On?'
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 go back. but the old life
will never know me again. have
reached here the goal Of all my ambi-
tions. I am entirely happy and con-
tented Here shall remain for the re-
mainder Of my days. You see this robe
that wearY' Bellchambers caressing
ly touched the straight hanging gar
ment. "At last have found something
that will not bag ut the knees. have
Ittained"-
At that moment the deep boom Of the
| >eat brass bell reverberated through
he monastery. 1t must have been a
ummons to immediate devotions. for
Rrother Ambrose bowed his head.
turned md left the chamber without
another word.
And this Is the story TINT Tommy
| Eyres and Lancelot Gillian brought
back with them from their latest Euro
| pean tour.