The Carbon County news., 1928-02-23

world and enter into holy orders. The
plan also suited Fabien's changed out
look on life. He imagined himself en-
tirely safe from the dangers of love
and honestly believed he had reached
the stage in life where prayerful
meditation was worth more than the
qualification Of his earthly appetites,
even those he had enjoyed with Ma
non.
Fabien was determined to lead
holy and christian life with the hours
so divided between study and religion
that there would be no leisure for the
perilous pleasures of love. He was
convinced that he had lost all esteem
for Manon. Yet her image, with its
exquisite features, was engraved on
his very hearts core and would al
ways remain uneffaced. He was, also,
positive that no other woman could
tempt him because he detested them
as class and as individuals he did
not care even to converse with an
other.
For nearly year now, Fabien had
been devoting himself to study. His
peace of mind was restored. His past
contact with love enabled him to un-
derstand many passages in the clas-
sizes which had been previously OBJ
scure, and he looked upon the world
with new eyes-eyes that saw III the
beautiful influence of the Church an
other life extending into the years
ahead. In this other life the memory
of Manon would be consigned to eter
nal oblivion.
The time was drawing near for Fa-
bien to take his public examinations
in theology, and at such events it was
customary for the names Of students
to be posted so that the public could
attend if they were interested.
1t happened that Manon saw Fa-
bien's name in this connection and lost
no time in availing herself of the OPP
1ortunity to attend. Ladies were fore
ed to sit in special seats behind
screen so that Fabien had no idea Of
her presence. Every day for a whole
week she was there, watching and
waiting, longing for chance to see
and speak with him privately. The
examinations ended and Manon's wish
remained ungratified. She knew that
Fabien was to take his final vows on
The following day, and as her whole
future happiness depended upon see
ing him before that time she deter
mined to throw convention to the
winds and seek him out at the
Church. Her love was not dead, in fact
it had matured until it was the only
vital thing in her life.
Manon had never been able to un-
derstand Fabien's cruelty to her that
night at the Gambling Club. 1t seem
ed as though he should have appre-
ciaeed that the situation her brother
ciated that the situation her brother
for her to live than for him to think
about. Yet he gave her contempt in
stead of compassion.
At the close of the service on the
day before Fabien was to take his
final vows, he knelt in prayer. A Won
derful, spiritual expression transfig-
ured his features. After year of
shattering conflict supreme peace was
his and he was prepared to relinquish
all worldly pleasures and become a
Priest.
Rising from prayer with the little
book in his hands he reverently passed
the altar just as an altar boy snuffed
out the last candle and went on his
way. The Church was deserted save
for Fabien. The last rays from the set
ting sun streamed in through the tall
stained glass windows and mingled
their beauty with the mystery of