The spectator., 1920-03-02

W
 Simeon struggled to his knees With an unwonted agility he lodged the sin glestick (movement 19 had always bothered the cure) and rushed forward with arms extended, like bear. But Father Lucien had movement 17 pat, and movement IT is especially de- signed for this. Placing the right toe against the left heel, he made a half turn. Smack! Simeon was reclining against the counter, his hands over his head, and blood streaming through his fingers.
 Simeon, Simeon" said the cure (smack, smack ) "are you going to close down?"
 Simeon lifted up his voice in a long, melancholy howl. He struggled feeb- ly to his feet, and instantly went down again under terrific blow across the right ear (movement 22A).
 'Is your soul better, Simeon?" asked Father Lucien.
 Simeon blinked up into the ring of faces about him. It was an extraor- dinary thing, but, though everybody seemed very much interested in his predicament, nobody showed any signs of interfering to help him. Public opinion was very fickle in Ste. Marie.
 "Now you may get up, Simeon" said the cure, and Simeon hastened to obey. His eyes travelled quickly in the direction of an empty brandy bot tie upon the counter. If he could get it into his hand.
 Smack! went the singlestick, and Simeon was down again with roar like a poleaxed bull.
 What did you do that for?" he whimpered.
 "1'm helping you the best way know, Simeon," answered the cure mildly. Are you going to close down?"
 "rll have you arrested" Simeon yelled. I'll write to the bishop about you"
 Crash went the singlestick. "Are quired Father Lucien.
 "No," muttered Simeon, covering his head with his hands.
 Crash! Simeon's hands flew apart as if they were attached to springs. Are you going to write to the bish- opp asked the cure.
 'No. For Gods sake let me go, you d. bully"
 Simeon snatched at the knob on the end of the singlestick nearest him. but movement f provides for that. and the crack of broken finger was distinctly audible to the intensely interested spectators.
 When are you going to close down. Simeon| demanded Father Lucien, standing over the prostrste liquor seller.
 At once" yelled Simeon, bursting into tears. "For Gods sake don't hit me again '"
 Simeon looked so abject that the cure had not the heart to continue his punishment. He looked about him. A singlestick describes a circle having radius of several feet. Exercise cleared the counter in jiffy, leaving wreck of rocking spirits and broken glass.
 When the cure turned upon the en- thusiastic. shouting throng, the grins died off their faces.
 Get out of here, my children :" he shouted. And. twirling his snglestick with indescribable velocity, he brought 1t down on one head after another, much as one might strike row of fence posts. The terrible implement seemed to fly in all directions at the same time. Father Lucien cracked the last man across the shoulders and sent him flying into the street
 For Gods sake don't leave me alone in here with him P moaned Sim con from the floor.
 Father Lucien came back and stood over him, twirling his singlestick meditatively. At last he laid it down upon the counter.
 'It's all right, Simeon, my son. he said gently. "I think I've cured you now I'm going to hear your comics sion. man never knows when he's going to be sick, Simeon. Let me hear you say your Act of Contritlon, if you haven't forgotten it."
 Wait minute" pleaded Simeon. Are you going to see my brother Louis afterwardw
 i've seen him." answered the cure.
 And Jean Pouliot, and Albert Drouin, and George Molsan. and"
 I'm going to-" replied the cure grimly. So Simeon, with new ex- pression of qualification. came back into the church.
 When, fifteen minutes later, Father Lucien emerged from the shanty, Ste. Marie was an extraordinary sight. Every drink-shop had locked up. their owners had fled, and the streets were packed with crowds which at the sight of the priest, set up a yell of delight. The women pressed about him. sob ping their gratitude. It was with diff ficulty that he could make his way