The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-08-27

Piled about Il In treach erous, drifting
masses. TheySwe Hospitality receiy:
ed By the brothers, whose duty it was
70 entertain the infrequent guests.
They drank Of the precious cordial.
finding It rarely potent and reyfying.
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 Qf the earth.
"a At 8 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
nled past. Eyres suddenly gripped Gil.
liam by the arm. Look, he whisper.
Y ed, eagerly, ''at the one Just opposite
You lnow-the one on this side, with his,
hand at his waist-if that isn't Johnny
Bellchambers then l never saw him!
Gillian saw and recognized the lost
glass of fashion.
what the Deuce" sud he, wonder.
tngly, "is' old Bell doing here? Tommy,
ttSsurely can't be he! Never heard OF
Z Bell having turn for. the religious.
Fact Is. I've heard him say things
when a 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 I'm pretty badly IN
need of an oculst. But think OF Johnny
Bellchambers.. the royal high chancel.
lors of swell toys md 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
4 the VOWS. Did the gentlemen wish to
speak with one OF the brothers? II
theyswould come to the rcfectory 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
Crtstofer the man they had seen. Yes
It was Johnny Belchambcrs. They
1 saw his face plainly now. us he sat
among the dingy brothers. never look
Ing up. eating broth from coarse.
brown bowl.
Permission to speak to one Of the
brothers was granted ito the two trav-
elers by the abbot, and they waited in
a4lreception room for him to come.
When he: did come, trending softly in
his sandals, both Eyres and Gillian
looked ut him I'm perplexity and aston.
lshment IT was Johnny Bellchambers.
bptFhe Ind different look. Upon his
smooth shayen face was an expression
8of5 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 "a long robe of rough brown
cloth gathered by q cord at the waist
and FILLING In straight. loose folds
nearly TO his feet. He shook hands
with his visitors with his old ease and
y grace sof manner. II there was any
embarrassment in that meeting 1t WINS
not manifested by Johnny Bellcham.
bers. Thesr 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 oil. Socicty'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"
"0h. cut that. Tommy" said Bell
chambers cheerfully. Don't be afraid
that Ill 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 1t. Gillian? Are they
wearing those things on Broadway
! now?'''
"Its the same old Johnny" said Gil.
liam joyfully. what the DEVIL mean
why oh. confound It! What did you
Z do 1t for, old man?''
"Peel the bathrobe." pleaded Eyres.
almost tearfully. ..and 60 back with u.s.
The; old crowd'll so wild to see you.
This isn't in your line. Bell. know
halfa dozen girls that wore the willow
OF, 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 a release
! from this ice factory. You'll get ca.
tarrh here, Johnny, and My God. you
haven't any socks onv.
Bellchambers looked down at his san.
daled feet ind smiled.