The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-11-04

returned my attention to my breViary;
but again l was distracted, this time
by the sound of tinkling mule bells on
the other side of the slope. With an
effort l shook off my attention to the
outside world and resumed my prayer.
| swiftly became absorbed in the beau
ties of what | was reading and | only
took sub-conscious notice when a dark
object passed my line of vision. Next
| was aware that a huddled form was
%kneeling at my side. Mechanically |
raised my hand and traced in air the
symbol of forgiveness. AS / completed
the cross my hand rested on his head
in token of benediction. Immediately
I realized that he was trembling vio-
lently. l quickly closed my book and
turned to him.
my son." | said, you are in trouble.
Tell me and let me help you"
ooh, Father!' he blurted out, 81
have committed a heinous crime, a
foul offense that cries to heaven for
vengeance"
| had often heard such u~tterances
from my penitents before and l tried
to comfort him.
MY son." I answered, do not
despair. In God there is forgiveness
for even the most heinous offense. Re-
member He has said, BE your sins as
red as scarlet and as numerous as the
sands of the sea, they Shall become
white as snow If you repent suffi-
GENTLY God will forgive everything"
The man trembled. Even m~urder?'
he half whispered.
| believe / started perceptibly, but
quickly recovered myself and man
aged to answer, Eyes, even murder"
Suddenly a cloud of fear overspread
his face.
Father" he said, "they are follow.
ing me-. Shrive me quick and let me
go. They will be here in a moment.
| sank upon q low bench and he
knelt at my side. The q%uivering lips
began to move.
Father, l am an outcast. A branded
thief. | was compelled to leave Spain
to avoid punishment. l came here. ]
lived on what | could steal. l hid in
the mountains and came down only
when it was necessary to buy pro.
visions. Who l am no n knows
They have been able to follow
me. Today l came down to lay in
supplies. On my way l passed a little
cottage on the other side of the hill
There was a magnificent gray mare
Ehitched to the door-post. The desire
to W it came into my mind. Swiftly
| united it. l wal just about to mount
when a man came up beside me. He
grappled me. I fought back. l was
fighting for my freedom, but he gained
the upper hand. I reached for the
knife in my belt. I struck twice and
he fell back. / waited for him to move
but he land as he had fallen. Then
my God! the awful reality of what
had done dawhed on mel had killed
a man. l dare1 not touch the mare
now. I sprang ,op my mule and hur
ried away. At ME top of the hill
paused. A woman with a babe in hel
arms knelt beside Mp. The wind bore
her cry to me. 1t vas a cry that
will carry to the graSe. 1t was thu
cry of a name"
What prompted ms to ask that mans
1 knew not, but I did.
|, 1T was Antoine!!"
Cold drops of perspiration rose OF
, my forehead. l grasped the BEECH TO
: support. Somehow a cry ESCAPED m,
lips, my brother!" y
The wretch at my side was on hi
feet in an instant. He was paving Ii
over in an apprehension of fear wit
: these very fingers which were still re
with the life blood of my own f1es
!, you will not give me up? Thin
Think what you have said! God TO
gives. No crime is too great. O
don't give me up"
: 1t brought me to myself. <'Tu
Sacerdos in Aeternum." l recalled tt
words. l was a priest. It was n
), duty to forgive. I cautioned silen'
and beckoned him to kneel. He stul
bled through his contrition and I pr
nounced the "Absolvo to-" Meanwhi
the words were constantly goil
= through my mind: God %forgives! G.
=, forgives!"
1 heard shouts in the distance. Wit
y out a word l pointed to the neighbC
. ing clump of bushes. He understood
A moment later the foliage hid hi
= from sight. When the men came
= was reading my breviary. They we
painting from exertion. The lead
= quickly asked for the fugitive. AS
- looked up from my book | chose Il
= words and spoke carefully. There
y no one here save those who are
peace with God"
Evidently the men did not percei
the true meaning Of ny words, ft
= with a murmur of disa pointment tn
!, retraced their steps and were So
- cyuoIIouod IN -, tho distance III