Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-03

Il
discipline as well as, the priest who
has rebelled against authority. There
fore have been sent up here
have enemies who declare that l am
successful In matters of discipline
the unfounded charge Of enemies, my
SOM"
After this flicker of irony the hard
lines came back into his face. though
he smiled srimly.
80 that is why a man by the name
Of Horrigan has been sent north TO
Attegat," he said.
This man among the children of the
parish Of Attegat! They were all chill.
dren. even those whose hair was white
and whose limbs were feeble. This
man replacing Pero Leclair. who had
pettcd their foibles, INDUCED their
griofs, and had made himself a child
along with them! Aldrich was aware
that the expression of his face must
be informing Father Horrigan that
1T may not be as bad as all that"
remarked the priest, his keen percep.
tion translating the officers thoughts.
II see that you are a friend of the
incumbent" he added.
Does Father Jeclair know that he
is to be taken away from his parish?"
Aldrich asked.
"a letter from the vicar general has
rigan.
Then It is settlcd-it is over: he
has no chance for appeal-to ex.
plain?" stammercd the young man, his
emotion visible.
"Res judicata, my son! Meaning
that the case of one who has defied his
superiors has been acted on. 1t is
settled"
lie resumed the study Of his little
book of offices.
They were at the top of the hill, and
Aldrich urged his horse on at a canter.
This news had shocked him. His
grief was deepened by his sense of
utter helplessness. He understood
through what difficult avenues must
appeal proceed. And yet, more than
all, he realized what calamity to
Attegat would the loss of Father Lc.
clair prove in this crisis of affairs
when the overwrought people needed
to be coaXed back to order and peace
and loyalty; when the wise prudence
of the good priest would prevail in
the end. OF that outcome of Pere
Leclair's intercession Aldrich was
sure in his own mind. What might
| happen when the militant Father
Horrigan arrived on the scene and
began his program of 'autocratic uis
cipine Aldrich did not dare to guess.
But he foresaw tumult. worse re.
bellion.
He determined to reach Attegat
ahead of the new priest
When night came on he found lodg
river road, and was on his way north
again at dawn.
He hastened eagerly.
i In the afternoon he galloped into
the yard of the stone house. knotted
the reins about the lettering rail. and
walked to the door with the ASPECT
and the woe Of a mourner who walks
to the portal of a tomb.
came out and waited for him under
the vines of the little porch.
you have heard! Your face tells
me you have heard" she told him, sor
, row in her upraised eyes.
THE new priest is on the way.
overlook him yesterday on the Ion.
road. If his heart is as hard as hi
face-and he seemed proud to boas
that he understood matters of disci
pline-then Attegat is going to have
! master who will lay on the lash
, Where is. the good man." he asked
. solicitously.
1 She nodded toward tho door of tn
+. little study across the narrow hal
}. They had entered the house. Sh
e could not control her voice TO reply
@ Tears were on her cheeks.
e He drew her to him and stroked he
l. hair.
r "One moment, sweetheart, for
word about our own troubles. Yo
q know the errand 1 went on! Bu
|. I could not find your father. l hunte
|. for him diligently. I went as far a
Monarda. / shall go again. Keep u
good courage. You will be watche
y over at Madame Ouillette's after thi
y, md | shall find your father and max
him understand"
There was time for no more thel
Y. for Pere Leclair opened the door {
his study.
TOMORROW