The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-07-22

grey eyes, a large prominent nose and
square set jaws. 1t was not a hand
some face, still in certain respects it |
might be called attractive. Even in
repose the features were hard and
stern, there was bulldog-like express
sion on the countenance. Yet it was
an intellectual face and one that be-
spoke man of strong character.
CHANGING up from his desk, Blakley
motioned the priest to sit down.
Father McDevitt obeyed in silence
Then turning from his desk the lawyer
confronted his visitor. "Well, Father
McDevitt, what can l do for your" he
| asked.
Father McDevitt began Immediately.
You'll be surprised, Mr.. Blakley," he
said, when tell you my business.
may say at once I am here in refer
ence to the ring which I understand
you lost some time ago."
At this announcement the lawyers
face changed color. Raising himself
in his chair he stared blankly at the
priest.
1.-THE ring" he exclaimed, what do
you know about it?"
| "Only this said Father McDevitt,
chat l came here on behalf of the
| thief to make restitution I'm sorry,
however, to inform you," he added,
"that the ring is lost, but the thief has
sent you it's value in the coin of the
realm"
Again the lawyer stared in amaze
ment. His face searched the priest
from head to foot. Indeed" he muir
INJURED, "do you know the thief, then?"
he asked brusquely.
Father McDevitt hesitated for just
the fraction of second. Il cannot
say that l do, nor can I say that
DON'T" was his somewhat ambiguous
reply. "a young man." he explained,
"came to my house last night and
asked me to make this restitution. In
the interests of justice l agreed to do
so. / never saw him before and likely
never will again. That's really all
know about him."
Blakley looked incredulous. Most
extraordinary" he commented, most
extraordinary" His jaws snapped
with click like the sound of a closing
rat trap After a pause he demanded,
How did it happen that this young
man came to you?"
Through the confessional" re-
turned the priest.
Blakley fell back in his chair as if a
bomb had exploded at his feet.
Through the confessional" he echoed
with a grin. "You don't mean to say
the confessional had anything to do
with it, He smiled contemporary.
This was just the opening the priest
wanted Blakley had maligned the
confessional, so Father McDevitt was
glad to get the opportunity to en-
tighten him on the matter. He smiled
back at the man in front of him.
Yes, Mr.. Blakley, the confessional
had everything to do with it," he re-
torted. "The Catholic Church, you
know, teaches the doctrine of justice
and restitution and it is by means of
the confessional she is able to enforce
the law. Had it not been for the con-
fessional," he added with emphasis, sit
/ is quite probable you never would
have heard from the thief again.
Blakley's jaw dropped. For a mo-
ment he stared in silence at the priest.
Then suddenly the stern features re-
! Taxed and a strange, puzzled express
sion crept into the lawyers face.
ooh, see," he mHrmured, dryly,
that is something I didn't know
All, he didn't know. 1t was a
strange avowal for man to make who
had so lately presumed to attack the
fundamentals of the Church. Father
McDevitt was silently amused.
There was pause. Presently the
lawyer spoke again.
; Did the thief make his confession
to you?" he asked.
The question was not unexpected,
but Father McDevitt had no intention
of answering it. He looked the law
yer squarely in the face.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Blakley," he replied,
"but that is a question / cannot an.
swer. All l can say in the matter is
this: The young man went to confes
sion and as a result restitution has
been made to you for the loss of your
ring. Further, than this cannot go.
'Humph," growled the lawyer, look
ing disappointed. Then, suddenly, as
a new idea seemed to flash across his
mind, he turned inquiringly to the
priest.
80, in case of thief" he remark
ed, restitution is always a condition
for forgiveness"
Precisely So" agreed the priest
provided, of course, he is able tt
make restitution.
"And if not, what them" snapped
the lawyer.
Then he must promise to make res
titution just as soon as it is in hi!
power to do So"
t Again there was silence. Blake!
lapsed into thought. For moment ;
: troubled look clouded the lawyers face
as if doubts of some kind had arisen il
his mind. 1t was apparent that wha
the priest told him had made no inn
preston. Presently, as he turned tt
g speak, the expression on his fac
s changed and a new light shone in hi!
e eyes.
81 must admit, Father McDevitt," b,
| haro Too.roJ ,1~~,o