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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (June 24, 1894)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE-SUNDAY , , JUNE 21 , 1894. > * * . w CHILI COPYRIGHT EtfJWES GORDON BENNETT.1894 * RESUME OF LOURDES. if thn I'ortloii "f.nlo'd < lrcnl httiry Wlilrh linn Item I'ultllnlirtl. KII18T DAY. . CIIAITKH 1-Tlio opening sofncof "r-ouril" . which wn comtne-nrml in i"-rlnl form in Biin liny' * Ili-e of April 11. Is In a rnr of llic nlto train , ' which inrrtp * the wry cK P nr m from runs to I-ounlM. Amimu tinplliirlms I * Marie < Ie aiK-rmlnt , ft yountf woman wh'i for yon hnn lx > cn ljmlrMiii. ! . HI"1 ' nwoinpanlcil tiy nor fnther nnd the AM ) " 1'lorro I rommit. VHIAlTKIl M.ThiAlitw 1'lTrn * ' < wn of a tin-mint , who llve.1 nt Nr > ullly. > ' | next thorn wore M. dp Oitersnlnt nn'I ' hlj IUHO Marie do ( Iticrs.ilnt nnil I'lmc Pi * : Bi-ih'-r. ' and finally fell In love wlih each ol PT < v fhay RTPW up. Marie received an Injury which rrwullml In ncnrly total iwrnlyMii. A lili wlf I'lerrc became a ftp * ouM never become 'l Itt.-Thp nunVrlnit In Ihy train1" when It Btopn ( it I > olttlc-r half an hour TlHAI'TKU IV.-An the tniln ntartn Sophie Coii- ts u icln In. Hiio tr-IU the "lory of the runs ocrortlcd to her dliwinpd foot hy almply dlpplns It In tltnuilirB at I.oiirde . , . . CHAPTr.ll V.-ThP nlilHriMidn nlotm a book Blvlnn the history of ll TnndeUe. nnd 'l' ' rll > " the clRhtwn tlmoi "ho wiw " < V13i iILIA . - i- m" BTOtto. Ixiurdc-H In imclifd In the " -"fir Ini ? . AH the train roll * Into the station an un known man tl\v \ . SirONU DAY. . CHAPTKn I.-A vivid picture Li Riven of Iho confiinlon when the Invalids are landed and convi-yod to the hospital. .CJIAITnU II.-T'ie hospital It Kroally over- crowded. At Sam. th" prorcilon to the Hrtillo starts. ratlii-r Mn * al o ktt the \ast connresallon to pray for n Kreat miracle , a-i the l vly of the mnn who died In the train It to bo Imniorioil In the pool In hopei that llfo will Uo CHAtTnn III. The nblio meets his old friend. Dr. Chnn alKno. Thn < ro d forcex the nblito the pool * . The jlead man H broURht In nnd inmicWd No miracle occurs. On K'MK out t'.ie abbe nnd that Marie has been bathed with- " " HAl'Tbn IV.-Dr. Clmm-ilcn * accompnnloi the nWHto the Hurcau of Ccrtlllcatlrtns. l.llii Hou < ] iict , wlune facu wna made lildcouji by n lupui. declarer the sore Is steadllv drylnK lip Ln Orlvottn , who had been In the last "timy * < > t oonsuinptlon , cornea rUHhlng In , enoutlnff , I nm V.-In the eri-nln * the abbe vl lts Marie. She U much depressed and It loilnB her faith. Jdnads to the Invalids , continuing t.ie mwy of llcnmdetto. telllni ? how peiiwcutlons fol lowed upon Iho nrnt miracle ? 'rha recitation clu-ors them up , nnd restore * Marie * faith. TJimn DAY. that Mme. % ol- CHAPTEn I. 1'lfi-rc discovers mar , a devout iillnrlm , lina come to Lourdcs to ' ' : . - nnd M. de Our nlnt meet Mme. DesaRncaux. Mile. Hai monili ! and SI. do Ti-yrelonKue , to whom Ilaymondc U engageu. Ther visit places of Interest. CIIAI'THR III Mnile I * Kreatly pleased by the iiermlsilon obtained for her to spend n nlRht fit the Krotto. Accompanle.1 by her father nnd MeritBhe watches the iiuiKiilllccnt toichllBht prnccsslon , In which thirty thousand lighlel candles are carrle < l. . . . . . CIIAITUR II'lerro takes Marie to the Knitto anil InsUU on remnlnlnc then- with her throughout the nlsht. Unrnn flulre. tind rector. takes Plerro Into the Rrotlo nnd shown him the mlmculous spilnc. Knrly In the morning a l v vy ruin IwslnH to fall. M.irie will not go away. Hhe believes ( the has seen the uigm. IMIAPTUll V. I'lerro , In wnlklns nbout , mt-illH his old friend Ur. ChassalgnuKaln. . The doctor tells him nbout hl IntorMew with ISi-rnailettc , nml he duscrlbcs the efforts of Abbe 1'e.ymarnle to build a church at Lourdes In liiitor of the Vligln. _ I'OUUTH DAY. CHAPTER I. Marie is In th" IIoTillnl of .Jur. Lady of Sorrows nnd U stilt conlldent of being enrol. The death of Mme. \ etu Is "vividly portrayed. _ * lOURTH DAY. f n < CHAPTER iH. The rush of peoplo' toltliB grotto on that flay , Monday , was somethliiK tremendous. It was the last day of the national pllgrlKH ago nt IjOtirdcs , nnd In his morning Ipcturo Father Fourcado had counseled a supreme effort of faith and fervor tn order to ob tain from heaven nil that was to bo given by way of favors and prodlgioiu cures. Uy 2 o'clock In the afternoon 20.000 pilgrims had assembled at the grotto , feverish and agitated by most ardent hopes. And still the crowd Increased momentarily to such a point that Daron Stilro came out alarmed from the grotto , nnd said to Derthaud ; "My friend , we shall bo overrun , It Is sure. Double your corps' of assistants ; call all your men together. " The Hospitality of Our Lady of Salvation had the entire management for the mainten ance of order and peace , for there existed neither guardians nor police of any sort , and for this reason the president of the associa tion felt uneasy. But In all such emergencies Hertlmud was a hoU In him self , and reassured his chief. "Bo not fear. I will answer for everything. I will not stir from this until the procession at 4 o'clock has gene by. " However , he made a sign to call Gerard. "Give very strict orders to your men. Only allow people to pass In who can show a rardt nnd close them In. Tell them to hqld the ropp flrmly. " 'ilioyond , from under the Ivy that hung down from the rocks , the grotto appeared , with Us eternal glitter of candles. From a distance It appeared rather Insignificant , Ir regular , narrow and modest for the Infinite grace It was supposed to contain that made all bow with a pale fare. The Virgin's statue seemed like n mere white spot that moved apparently In scintillating breezes , heated by the little yellow ( lames. One had to itretch up to distinguish Inside the grat ing either the silver altar , the harmonium now uncovered , all tlie heap of boquets and the oxvotoi , that wore nearly hidden by the smoky tapers. The weather was perfect. A moro brilliant sky never covered such n crowd , and the .soft breeze was delicious nfter tho. storm of the preceding night that had relieved the intense heat of the two days of the pilgrimage. Gerard elbowed himself around to give his orders. People were already shoving. -"I want two moro men here , or four if necessary , nnd stretch the rope well. " It was Instinctive. Invincible. The 20.000 persons who wire there \\cre drawn insensi bly toward the grotto , going to It either from some Irresistible attraction or frun a burn ing curiosity to slack their thirst for the mysterious , All eyes were turned that way , all the mouth * , all the hands , all the bodies themselves were carried toward the palo luster of the tapers , toward the white opot , the moving marble Virgin. In order that the largo space reserved for the In valids Just In front of tno grating should not bo Invaded by the growing crowd , a thick rope had been stretched that , was held by both hands by the btrotchcr bearers at intervals of two or three yards. Tlwe men hnd orders to allow only the Invalids to pass who presented the card of admls- nlon t ° some hospital or nome persons specially authorized to come In. The ropa waa lifted nnd nllowed to fall behind the favored ones , but no other pleas to enter availed , They wcro oven tomawhat rudo. rather enjoying this authority with \\hlch they were Invested fsr but a single day. In reality they were greatly pushed , and one hnd often to help another nnd resist with all their might , not to be taken off their feet. During the tlmo that the benches in front of the grotto nnd the vast space reserved for the Invalids was being filled by push carts , litters nnd the appendages of Illiiosn. th" Immense crowd singed about the v.'holo place. It started from the I'laco du Koaalf lost Itself on the promenade Ulong the UIv Cavoand the whole ldowi lk. the entire w.iy Vij < 3 blnclc with people , a human mass so dot eo that any circulation wan Impossible. " " * 5TJn the railing sat an interminable row of women ; some wore rven Handing up in order to sue better , reflecting back the sun from tlrlr silk umbrellas , their light sawns , tfir-Ir holiday attire. They had tried tn clrar n way for the Invalids to pass , but U wan continually bring closed or obstructed , to that the Uatu chair * and litters oftsn wore iVUlncil , almost stopped , until some OHO cn-ild dlaongtige them fioiu the crowd H wi'k ! however , the onward nwrch of a UcclJ. ' Hook , an Innocent , crowd , ns mpck i.s hmb' . who * * very ptishlnR won Involuntary ; a ji'Bss ' of blind people turning to the llffht of tlm candles. Accidents never liappened li splti of the excitement that Increased itll < ' HUlmind produced u kind of delirium n Vdron"Sulrfl again forced himself through Iho crowd. "Ilorthaud , Ilcrthaud , do SCO that the file moves moro slowly. They are crushing women nnd children. " Ucrthatul made an Impatient gesture this tlmo. "Ah , dame ! I cannot be every where. Shut the grating for a while If necessary. " It concerned the file that had been or ganized at the grotto throng-bout the entire afternoon. The faithful entered by the right hnnd door , going out by the right hand aide. aide."Shut the grating ! " cried the Haron ; "that would bo oven worse ; they would all bo crushed then. " ( Jorard happened to bo there Just then , talking for an Instant to llaymomle , who was standing on the other side of the rope , holding a bowl of mllK that she had brought to an old paralytic woman. So Uerthaud ordered him to place two men at the en- trnnco to the grating , wltn Instructions to let the pilgrims go In only ten at n time. When Gerard had executed this order and returned he found Derthaud with Haymonde. laughing and Joking. As she moved away the two men exchanged looks , ns she helped the paralytic woman to take a drink. "Sho Is lovely. And It Is decided you are to marry her , are you not ? " "I am going to ask her mother tonight. I hope you will go with me. " "Of course I will. You remember I told you to do it. It was most appropriate. The undo will flnd you a bertli In six A slmvo separated them , and Derthaud went ofT to convince himself if the line nt the grotto was being carried out without any pushing. For hours It had been kept up , the same uninterrupted crowd of men , women and children , all who wished , all who passed by , come from the whole world. All classes were also to bo found In the general crowd beggars in rags next to well groomed bourgeois , peasants and well dressed ladles , bareheaded maid servants , girls with naked feet , painted women with ribbons In their hair. The entrance was free to all ; the mystery was opsn to all to the un believer as to the faithful , to those who came only from curiosity the same as those who penetrated with loving hearts. It was a sight to see , all filled alike with emotion , in the heated smell of the wax , somewhat stilled by the heavy atmosphere that gath ered under the roof , their eyes downcast , fearful lest they might slip on the Iron gratings. Many remained upright , did not even bow , with an uneasy expression of persons unaccustomed to enter a sanctuary. Hut the faithful crossed themselves , some times throwing letters , placing candles or boquets , kissing the rocks below the Virgin , or else rubbing It with their beads , medals or small pious articles that were blessed by this contact. So they passed on endlessly for days , for months , for years , and It seemed ns though the whole world must have coins to that corner In the rocks. All human wants and miseries were In line , In a hypnotic round , In search of happi ness. ness.When When Berthaud had ascertained that tilings were going on everywhere as well as possible ho walked about as a simple spectator observing mankind. His only un easiness was at the thought of the procession of the holy sacrament , when such a frenzy of excitement sometimes took place that accidents were al < vays to bo feared. This last day had begun so earnestly that ho felt the crowds to be all ready to. make some commotion. The excitement culminated with the feverish Journey , the repetition of the same canticles , the obstinate- performance of the same religious ceremonies , the constant talk about miracles , the same fixed idea on the divine shrines of the grotto. Many did not sleep at all during the three nights , and arrived in a state of waking hallucination , walking in a kind of exasperating dream. They took no rest ; continuous praying acted llko n stinging scourge to their souls. The cries to the Holy Virgin never ceased ; priests succeeded one another In the pulpit , calling forth the universal sorrow , directing the de spairing supplications of the masses , while all the tlmo invalids remained In front of the pale marble statue , that smiled with bands clasped and eyes turned heavenward. At this moment the white pulpit to the right of the grotto , against the rock , was occupied by a priest from Toulouse whom Dorthaud know and to whom he listened with approbation. Ho was a largo man , fluent in speech nnd celebrated for his prayerful ser mons. Just here his principal success con sisted In a pair of sound lungs nnd a violent way of uttering his phrases , crying out a sentence to bo repeated by the entire crowd ; for it was only a vociferation , Interlarded with avos nnd paters. When the priest had finished his rosary ho stretched up on his short legs , uttered the first line of the litany ho Invented as ho went along , that he con ducted according to his own ideas , with whatever Inspiration he possessed : "Mary , wo love thoe. " And the crowd repeated In a lower tone , broken and contused ; "Mary , we love thoe. " From that on It never stopped. The voles of the priest rang out , the voice of the crowd repeated in a sorrowful murmur : "Mary , thou art our only hopo. Mary , thou art our only hopo. Pure Virgin , maka us more pure among the 'pure. Powerful Virgin , save our sick ones. Powerful Vir gin , have our sick ones. " Often when ho nouid think of nothing moro or when he wished to futher enforce the appeal he would repeat the same words three times , while the docile crowd would also repeat them three times , trombllna under the unnerving lamentation that only increased Its fever. The litanies continued , so Berthaud turned toward the grotto. Those who were passing inside had a wonderful Eight of the sick people opposite them. The entire space In. side the ropes wns filled by a thousand ov twelve hundred 111 people , brought hlthor b > the national pilgrimage , and on this lovely day , under the pure blue sky. It was about thooiibst distressing sight one could have. All throe of the hospitals had emptied out their terrible wards. Furthcrest away on the benches were seated the able bodied In valids those who ( jouia still sit up. Many were women supported by cushions , others leaned against one another , the strong sup. porting theo weak. Nearer to the grotto the very sick \\oro stretched , oven the pave. ment disappeared under this piteous flood , a horrible , spreading , stagnant sea. There was a perfect mass of chairs , carts , mat. tresses and litters , Some of the Invalid * were In , sort of guttcrliko colllns , raised and apparent , but the greater number were lylna flat on the ground. Sumo were dressed , simply lying outside the plaid linen coveri. of the imUtresst-.H. Others had been brought In their very beds , nnd only their pale heads and hands appeared outside the sheets. Few of these pallets wcro clean. A few pil lows , dazzling white , trimmed with cm. broidery In a lai > t coquetry , shone out amid the fearful misery of the rest a heap of rags , tumbled quilts and linen , soiled and filthy. They were all crowded together , piled up as each one arrived men , women and children the drcBicd with the undrasieJ , underneath the broad daylight. Every disease was there In that fearful line that twice a day came out of the hos pitals to cnm through R horrified Lourdes. Henils eaten by eczema , forehead * pock- nuirkd , noses nnd mouths made shapeless by elephantiasis. Dropsical cases , swollen llko bladders , rheumatics with twUted hands , swelled feet , like bags stuffed with rags , and one caie of water on the brJln , whose enormous cranium , top heavy , hung way back. Then there V'ero consumptives , trembling with fever , exhausted by dysen tery , with livid skin and tlilu OB skelvtons. Contractions and deformities , twl-ted frames , crooked rmj , necks turned the wrong way , \\rutclied beings cracked and put In Im movable postures ll ! < o tragic masks. Poor glrU with rlckoJa , whoso disease was shown by their waxen color , their frail nocks already devoured by miming soroi ; yellow tinted WOMUMI , itupeflod by the suffering of thote who uru being CM on alive by can cer ; others again trembling , not daring to move , fearlnt ? the shock to their tumors , whoso agonizing weight la suffocating them. On the benches sat deaf people , who heard nothing , hut who sang all the same ; blind persons , their heads upright , remaining for hours turned towad the utatue of the Vir gin that they could not see. And there waa also a crazy woman , Imbecile , her nose eaten off by some disease , her mouth black and empty , laughing with a terrible noise ; whllo nn epileptic lay In a pallor of death , having had a recent nt , with froth nt the corners of her mouth. Hut nil thin Illness , this suffering , mat tered no longer , since they wcro all there , sitting or lying with eyes fixed upon the grotto. Those poor diseased faces , the color of the earth , became transfigured and turned with hope. Trembling hands were Joined , heavy eyelids found the strength to open , fslnt voices revived nt the appeal of the prlejt. At first there were only Indistinct murmurs , llko little puffs of wind rising , lost among the crowd. Then the cry In creased nnd spread over the entire crowd , from one end to the other of that Immense place- "Mary , conceived without sin , pray for us , " cried the priest In his rc'onant voice. And the Invalids nnd pilgrims repeated louder and louder : "Mary , conceived without sin , pray for us. " Then It Increased and went on faster : "Pure mother , holy mother , thy children are at thy feet. "Puro mother , holy mother , thy children are nt thy feet. "Queen of angels , speak but the word and our sick are healed. " "Queen of "angels , speak but the word and our sick are healed. " Over on the side of the pulpit M. Sabathler was sitting In the second row. Ho had been brought early , wishing to chooie hla place , as a frequent visitor knows the best corners. Than , too , he thought It a good Idea to be as near ns possible , under the very eyes , as it were , of the Virgin , as though It were necessary for her to see her faithful ones In order not to forget them. During all the seven years that ho had come he chcrlsed only this hope , to be noticed by her one of these days ; to touch her , bo cured , If not by choice at least by long suffering. It merely asked for patience , and the firm ness of hla faith could not be shaken the least In the world. But sometimes , tired by always expecting yet never receiving , ho allowed himself distractions from con tinuous prayer. Ho had permission to have his wife near him , and she was sitting on a camp chair , while from tlmo to tlmo they exchanged their thoughts. "Dear wife , pull me up a little. I am sliding down and am most uncomfortable. " He was dressed in trousers and a waist coat of thick wool , and sat on his mattress , leaning his back against a chair that was turned upside down. "Are you better ? " asked Mme. Sabathler. "Oh , yes , yes. " Then he became Interested watching Brother Isidore , whom they had managed to bring after all , and who was lying cov ered up to hla chin by the sheet , on the next mattress , his hands clasped over the coverlid. "Ah ! poor man. It Is very Imprudent , but the Holy Virgin is all powerful when she so pleases. " Ho took up his beads again , when he once more was diverted by seeing Mme. Maze , who had Just slipped Inside the reserved circle , very thin , very discreet , and she had doubtless passed under one of the ropes while they were not looking. She sat down on the very end of the bench and did not take up any moro room than a little girl , sitting quite still. Her narrow , tired lookIng - Ing face , her thirty-two years of faded blonde beauty spoke of an overwhelming sorrow , an infinite despair. "So , " continued M. Snbathler to his wife , with a little motion of his chin , she la pray ing for the conversion of her husband ! You met the lady this morning In a shop , did you not ? " "Yea. " anawered Mme. Sabathier , "and I also talked about her with another lady who knows her. Her husband la a commercial traveler. He leaves her for six months at n time to go joS with other women ! Ho Is very wild , but charming , and never leaves her without plenty of money. Only she adores him , and cannot feel reconciled to bis neglect , so she has come to pray to the Holy Virgin to give him back to her. Just now. It seems , he Is at Luchon with two ladles , and these two sisters. " M. Sabathler Interrupted her by a mo tion. He was gazing nt the grotto and was once more the old Intellectual professor , to whom matters of art were of the greatest Importance. "You see , they have spoiled the grotto by trying to beautify It too much. I am sure It must have been far better In Its former rude state. It has lost character. And that awful little shop there to the left ! " But here he was seized with a sudden remorse for his distraction. During all this tlmo might not the Holy Virgin have re membered one of his neighbors who was more fervent , moro Intense than he ? Ho re sumed his patient air , his sunken eye , hla vague thoughts to await the pleasure of heaven. Presently the sound of a fresh volco brought him out of these depths out of the condition of annihilation of mind In which ho had fallen. Another preacher had mounted the pulpit a Capuchin this time whoso guttural cry , repeated with Insistence , lashed the crowd with excitement. "Holy Virgin of virgins , blessed art thou. " "Holy Virgin of virgins , blessed art thou. " "Turn not thy face from thy children , Holy Virgin of virgins. " "Turn not Uiy face from thy children , Holy Virgin of virgins , " "Holy Virgin of virgins , but breathe on our wounds and they will be healed. " "Holy Virgin of virgins , but breathe- our wounds and they will bo healed. " On the end of the first bench in the mid dle path that was packed , the entire Vlgne- ron family had succeeded In seating them selves. They were all there little Gustavo , worn out , sitting with his crutch between his knees , his mother at hla side praying with all her heart ; on the other side the aunt , Mme. Chaise , suffocating and harrassed by the pushing crowd , while M. VIgneron ga/ed at her silently with great attention. "What Is the matter , my dear ? Do you feel III ? " She could scarcely breathe. "I do not know. I cannot fool my legs at all , and I am clicking for air , " He could easily Imagine that all this agi tation , this crowding and heat experienced on a pilgrimage could not be very good for a disease of the heart ! Ho certainly did not wish to see any one die , and had never prayed for any such thins to the Virgin. If she had already granted his desire ! oi advancement by the sudSen death of his chief , It must have been only because the latter had been already condemned of heaven. So , should Mme. Chaise die first and leave her fortune to Gustave , ho could only bow before the will of God , who plans to have old people pass away before the younger ones. Ilia unconscious hope could not , however , prevent him from exchanging a brief glance with his wife , whoso mind waa filled with the same Involuntary wish , "Gustavo , got back , " he cried , "you bother your aunt. " Then ns Ilaymonde passed , ho said : "If you have a glass of water to spare , MIsa , one of our party feels very faint , " But Mme. Chaise made a gesture to refuse. She was feeling better ; breath was coming back , though with an effort : "No , no , thanks. I am much bettor. Aht I was sure that 1 was choking this time , " She trembled with fear ; her eyes were- haggard , her face bl&nchod. She again clasped her hands and besought the Holy Virgin to spare her from other attacks , ta cure her. while the vigorous man and wife , good souls , made a solemn vow of happiness that had come to them nt Lourdes , look ing forward to an old ago well earned after twenty years of honesty ; the solid fortune that they should spend by and by In the country , cultivating flowers. Little Gustavo had seen all. noticed nil with his quick eye and Intelligence that suffering hnd sharp ened. He did not pray , but smiled to him self with his1 enigmatical and wavering smile. Why should ho pray ? Ho was quite aware the Holy Virgin would never cure him ; that ho was doomed to die. M. VIgneron could not remain long without looking about at his neighbors. In the mid dle of the crowded ulsla Mme. Dleulafay has been placed , though tat * In coming. Ho was astonished at nil thp luiury , the nort of tufted ceTin ( of white IU | , l/i which the young woman reposed , herself dressed In a rose colored peignoir trimmed "with Valenciennes Inoo. Her husband , In Ills frock coat , nnd her nUtor , In n black yjifwn of n simple yet marvelous elegance , s/ood'bosldo ' her , while Abbe Judalno , kneeUrr'g beside the Invalid , said a fervent prayer,1 When the priest K"t up M. VIgneron matlo1 room for him on the bench by his sldeV. ' Then ho questioned him : l- "Well , curate , how nbout that poor young woman ? Is she any better ? " Abbe Judalno inndo'in-very ' sad motion , "Alas , no , I was so filled with hope , It was I who decided her family to come. Two years ago the Holy Virgin worked such an extraordinary miracle upon me by curing my poor lost sight that j , again trusted to ru- cclvo a proof of grace. However , I will not be discouraged , we have until tomorrow. " M. VIgneron looked nt the woman's face , whoso pure oval nnd beautiful eyes were now completely destroyed , become like lead , like a mask of death In the midst of her laces. "It Is Indeed very nail , " ho murmured. "If you only could have seen her last summer , " resumed the priest. "Their country seat Is at Sallgny , In my parish , and I often dined with them. I cannot look at her elder sister , Mme. Josseur without feeling sad that lady over there dressed In black for she looked very much like her , only the Invalid was oven prettier , one of the beauties of Paris. Notice the brilliancy , compare that sovereign eign grace beside that piteous young creature. It breaks my heart and teaches us a lesson. " Ho paused a minute. The holy man was so natural , so without gullo of any sort , nor of quick Intelligence to corrupt his faith , yet showing an Innocent admiration for boatity , wealth , power , though he had cov eted none of them. Still , ho hazarded a doubt , a single scruple , that troubled his habitual serenity. "I should have preferred to have her come here with all their apparent luxury moro simply because the Holy Virgin lovea the humble. But I can ea < lly understand there are social obligations. Then , too , her hus band and sister love her so much. Fancy , they have left everything ho his business , she her amusements so completely over come at the Idea of losing her that they always have tears In their eyes , nnd that absent look you may have noticed. So wo must excuse them for wanting her to look well up to her very last hour. " M. VIgneron gave an approving nod. Ah ! not alone did the rich men profit at the grotto. Servants , peasants , the poorest were here cured , while fine ladles turned away with their Illnesses uncomforted In spite of their rich presents nnd large candles that they bad burned. And ho could not resist glancing at Mine. Chaise , who , quite restored , was resting In a comfortable man ner. ner.A murmur ran through the crowd , and Abbe Judalne spoke again : "There Is Father Mnssals going Into the pul pit. He Is a saint. Listen to him. " He was well known and never made his appearance without all souls being thrilled by a subtle hope , for It was said that hi ? fervor greatly aided the miracles. He was supposed to have a strong yet tender voice , greatly beloved of the Virgin. All heads were raised , and the emotion Increased still more when Father Fourcade was perceived at the foot of the pulpit , lean ing on the shoulder of hla well loved brother , preferred before all others , and there he remained to listen also to him. His gouty foot had given him "great pain ever since the morning , nnd it hxtulred a vast amount of pluck to stand uf 'the're ' , smiling. The growing exaltation of'the , crowd made him happy , and he foretold prodigies , brilliant cures , to the glory of 'Mrfry and of Jesus. Once In the pulpit , 'Father Massals did not speak Immediately. 'He1looked very tall , thin and palo , with nn ascetic face , that his discolored beard madt to look longer than over. His eyes sparkled and his largo , eloquent lips were piJuted''out. "Lord , save us , for'lve ' perish ! " And the crowd , carried away , repeated In a fever that augmented dach minute : "Lord , save us , forywe "perish ! " He opened his nrrrrs. , calling out his. loud cry , as If to tear It from hla hidden breast : "Lord , If Thou -wlJt.8'Tllou canst euro. mo. Lord , if Thou wilt , TfroW 'canst cure me. I am not worthy , O Lord ! Chat Thou shouldst enter my house. Say' but the word and I shall be healed. I an'hot worthy , O Lord , that Thou shouldst enter my house. Say but the word , and I 'shall be healed. " Martha , Brother Isidore's sister , had begun to talk In a low voice with Mme. Sabathler , near whom she bad finally come to sit. They had become acquainted at the hospital , and in the sympathy of so much suffering the maid servant told the woman of higher life how greatly troubled she felt nbout her brother , for she could see plainly ho was at his last gasp. The Holy Virgin must hurry If she was going to cure him. It was a miracle that he had been brought alive to the grotto. In her resignation the poor , simple creature did not even shed a tear. But her heart was so full that her rare words seemed to choke her. Then , as a flood of past recol lections swept over her , she broke her silence and derived some comfort In speaking. "Wo wore fourteen nt home , 'at Salnt-Yncut , near Vannes. Big as he was , he was always delicate , and for that reason he remained with our durate , who ended by placing him at the Christian schools. The oldest chil dren took what there was , but I preferred to enter service. A lady from Paris took mo back with her five years ago. Ah , what trouble there Is In life ! Every one has so much trouble. " "You are right , my good girl , " answered Mme. Sabathler , looking at her husband , who was repeating every sentence with de votion after Father Massals. "Then , " continued Martha , "when I knew last month that Isidore had returned from the tropical countries , where he had been a missionary , and had brought from there a fearful disease. Then when I hastened to see him ho told me that unless he came at once to Lourdes ho would die , but that It was impossible to take the trip , because he had no one to accompany him. Then I hnd saved 24 francs , , so I left my place nnd we started together. You see , mndame , I love him dearly , because when I was Fjnall ho used to fetch mo raspberries from the curate's , and all the rest of them used to beat me" She fell again Into silence , her face drawn by sorrow , although no tears could flow from those sad eyes that burned from watching. Only n few words came now. "Look nt him , madame ; Is It not sad ? Oh ! my God , his poor cheeks , his pooor cbln , his poor face" It was , Indeed , a sad sight. It sickened Mine. Sabathler to see Brother Isidore look so yellow , so gray and Icy In his agony of sweat. Nothing was seen outside of the clothes but his clasped hands and his face , framed In long black hair ; but If the waxen hands appeared already dead , If the long , sad face no longer moved a feature , the eyes were still alive ; those eyes of Inextinguisha ble love , whose fire was sulllclcnt to lighten his dying face like that of Christ on , the Cross. Never was 'Rreater contrast than that between the law' peasant brow , the stupid and dull features , and the divine splendor that now shohc1 from that poor hu man mask , devastatedc'sanctlfled ' by suffer ing , rendered subllmealn-lts last hour In the dying flame of Its faith. Flesh was annihi lated , nothing now romalnpd but a regard , a transcendent light. I i Ever since they iiad placed him there Brother Isidore had mistaken his eyas from the statue of the Virgin , . To him nothing else existed. Ho dld'nptBOO the enormous crowd ; ho did not oven hear the priest's cries , those Incessanti'crKes ' that so excited the populace. Only lUfxes were alive , and they were fixed on tiio vlrgln , never mor to be turned away , ? ! ] drank It In until deatb , in a last desire to vanish , to be ab sorbed by her. Ills rforitij opened for an In stant , and an expression-'of celestial happi ness covered his visage.- . Then ho moved no moro , his eyes renulfie\i ; w'ide open , obsti nately gazing at the'ulilt.o ! statue. Several moments passed. Martha felt a cold shiver that froze her very marrow ; "Oh , say , Madame , look ! " Over anxious Mine. Babathler pretended not to understand , , * "What is It myjgood girl ? " ' 'Look ' , .my brother , , look ! He does not move. He has opened his mouth , and since then moves no morel" Both of them shuddered In the certainty that ho was dead. Ho had passed away without a gasp , without a moan , as If his llfo had gone out through a look , by means of his pacslonalo gaze filled with love. He had expired looUIng at the Virgin , and noth ing could have 'boon such a blessing , BO he continued to eazo with his dead eyes as though with ineffable bliss. "Try to close his eye * , " murmured Mme. Sabathler. "Then we will know for sure. " Martha had rluon , and leaning so Unit she might not bo noticed , she tried to close the oyea with a trembling finger. But each Where to Go this Summer The Direct Line to MANITOU nnd PIKE'S PEAK is the Great Rock Island Route TICKET TAKES YOU TlIHOUdH DKNVEH. OOINO OR nKTUnNINO. AT TUB QAME t ruler , on TAICK TUB DIRECT MANITOU LINE. < BEB MAP. ) f CHICAGOROCK ISLAND a PACIFIC RAILWAY. V CHICAGO TO 'I ' " COLORADO SPR9 11 " PUtDIO sr. LOUIS " NEWOfilEASS TO OEHYtR OUT Big ia the train. Leaves Chicago at 10 o'clock every night nml urtivcsnt ijuj" - O ainnUou second morning. Quick trip. Most excellent equipment. Dining Cars , Chtilr Cars , nnd super ! ) Pullman Sleepers. Don't fall to go to top of Piko's Peak by the Cog Rnllroad. AVomlorful experience. Your Ticket Agent can lell you nil nbout it nnd sell you ticket with your Colorado Tourist Ticket , should you so dcslro. JNO. SEBASTIAN , Ccn'l Pnssentrcr Accnt. The only line running1 through sleepers to Denver , Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Colorado train leaves Omaha daily at 1:35 : p. m. Full particulars and berth reservations secured by calling on ser addressing CHAS. KENNEDY , G. N.-W. P. A. . > 1602 Farnam St. , Omaha , Neb. time the eyes reopened , looking again , ob stinately , at the Virgin. He was dead , ami she had to leave his eyes wldo open , over , whelmed by a never ending ecstacy. "All , It Is all over , It is nil over , Madame , she muttered. Two tears crept from her heavy eyelids nnd rolled down her cheeks , while Mmo. Sabathler took her hand to make her stop. Whispers had already been heard , and an uneasy feeling was spreading. Iiit what could bo done ? In the midst of such a rabble during the prayers the body could not be removed without the risk of producing a disastrous effect. It was better to leave It there and wait for a favorable time. No one was scandalized. He had not looked anymore moro llko dead ten minutes ago , and every one would think those flaming eyes were still alive with their ardent appeal to the divine tenderness of the Holy Virgin. Only a few persons , Just near by , know of It. M. Sabathier , suspicious , had questioned his wife by a sign , and. Informed by a dumb , but long affirmation , had given himself up again to prayer , pale before that mysterious power of death , -when one Is asking always to .live. The Vignerons were greatly Inter ested , and leaning forward , whispered , as If It were the result of some street accident , one of those many bits of news that the father often brought home from his offlce In Paris , and that they talked about for the en tire evening. Mme. Josseur had turned round , had murmured a word in M. Dleulafay's car , then they again took up the contemplation of their own dear Invalid , while the Abbe Judaine , informed by M. VIgneron , had knelt down and was repeating In a low voice the prayers for the dead. Was he not a saint , this missionary , come back from murderous lands with his mortal wound in ills hip , to die thus beneath the smiles of the Holy Virgin ? Mine. Maze longed to die , too , and resolved to supplicate heaven to remove her also If it was not possible to give her back her husband's love. But Father Massais' cry sounded again , striking with a desperate force in a sobbing breath : "Jesus , Son of David , I must perish ; save mo ! " And the crowd likewise sobbed with him : "Jesus , son of David , I must perish ; save mo ! " Then one nfter another the appeals seemed to grow louder nnd louder as he expatiated on all the miseries of this world : "Jesus , Son of David , have mercy on Thy children and on Thy sick ! " "Jesus , Son of David , have mercy on Thy children and on Thy sick ! " "Jesus , Son of David , come down , heal them , that they may live ! " "Jesus , Son of David , come down , heal them , that they may live ! " It wns delirium. Father Fourcade at the bottom of the pulpit , won over by the ex traordinary passion that overflowed all hearts , had raised his arm , thundering forth bis threats against heaven. And ever did the exaltation increase before the wind of desire , whose breath bowed the crowd more and more , and even the curiosity seekers who were sitting on the railing along the Illver Gave grew pale beneath their parasols. Miserable humanity was clamor ing from the bottom of Its abyss of suffer ing , and the call passed over the heads of nil present , so that there wns but one agonized congregation , denying death and calling upon God to decree eternal life. Ah , life ! llfo ! all these wretches , all these death stricken creatures from far away lands , who had come through so many obstacles , that was their only wish ; they longed only to live ; in a disordered heed to live again they demanded to live forever. Oh , Saviour ! no matter what may be our sorrow , no matter how wo suffer to live , heal us , make us to live again , to suffer afresh all that wo have already endured ! No matter how unhappy wo are , wo want to bo thus. It Is not heaven we ask , wo want the earth , to have It as late as possible , never to leave It nt all , If Thy power deigns to go so far ! And oven if we only ask for a physical cure , wo still need a moral one , too , and wo ask for happiness , that happiness whoso sole desire 1111s us with burning thirst. Oh , Saviour , make us happy and strong ; lot us live , give us life ! " Tills wild cry , the furious desire for life , pronounced by Father Massals , broke out In tears and cries from every heart : "Oh , Saviour , Son of David , heal our sick ! " "Oh , Saviour , Son of David , heal our sick ! " Bertliaml was obliged to rush forward twice to prevent the ropes from being broken by the unconscious pushing of the masses , In despair , uselessly , Baron Sulre made gestures nnd besought help , for the grotto was now Invaded and the line had resolved Itself Into n trampling flock , moving along as It wished to go. In vain Gerard again left Kaymondo and wont himself to stand at the entrance of the grating , trying to establish order by letting In only ten persons at once , He was shoved and swept to one side. The people , who were all excited , exalted , entered , passing like a torrent through the grotto Illuminated by candles , throwing letters and bouquets to the Holy Virgin or kissing the rock that millions of burning lips bad polished. U was faith let loose a great force that nothing could stop. Gerard , crushed against the grating , ovei- hcard two peasant women , caught In the crowd , remark on the spectacle of the in valids lying before them. One of them was struck by the palo face of IJrother Isidore , with his great eyes staring open , fixed on the Virgin's statue. She crossed herself nnd murmured , overcome by a devoted admira tion : "Oh ! look at that one. How he Is pray ing with his whole heart and how he gaze * at Our Lady of Lourdei ! " The other peasant answered : "She will surely euro him , ho Is so hand some. " Thus the dead man , In his act of love and faith , that he continued In his lonely state , touched all hearts by the Infinite purpose of his regard , and was still a cause for the profound edification of the masses , who passed htm by tn line. ( To bo continued next Sunday. ) DoWltt'a LHtlo Early rtlsers. Small pltli , eafn pills , best pills. There are In Texts eighty-eight Lutheran congregations , eighty churches anil H,06ti confirmed members. THE ONLY GUBAT SHOW THIS SUMMER ELLSENORMOUS ENORMOUS AUGMENTED BY ALL THAT IS Great , , GrgindL gind Gorgeous. A CYCLONE OF SUCCESS. The Big Ilnlf-Dollnr Show 1ms Lowered Us Price within reach of all. tf S"P - CENTS ADMITS TO COMBINED SHOWS - S Ij"J ! [ SSd CIRCUS , MENAGERIE AND 'HIPPODROME 1 A REMARKABLE RECORD BREAKER-THOUSANDS TU3NED AWAY AT EVERY PERFORMANCE COLOSSAL 3-RIMG GIRGUS Royal Romuu Hippodrome Sports , Huge Elevated Stages , 50-Cage Men- agcrie , Gladiatorial Combats , African Aquarium , Australian Aviary , Arabian Caravan. Spectacular Pageants and Trans-Pacific Wild Beast Exhibit. IE Exhibition Grounds 2Oth and Charles Stroats. Frcsrnttno Every Act tint ! all -Yiw Features a * Ilepreiontoil , rm'jrart g all of the Celebrities of the .Ircn/c n'ortil. 2OO STARTLING ACTS in Three Separate Rings and Two Elevated Stages It has nil the Croat Equostr onnos , Equ3strlans , 3O-Horso Rldors , Edu cated Horses , Tralnad Ponlos , Performing Elephants , Trained Seals and Sea Lions , Trained Hippopotami , Trained Storks , Rooster Orchestra , Comical Clowns , Jolly Jesters , Gladiators , Jockeys , Charioteers. Bicyclists Loapors. Dancers , In fact all the champion performers of America and Europe grouped In an Unprecedented Programme- SELLS BROTHERS' BIG SHOW of the World Is the Canorous Master of the Situation. PROGRESSIVE , TDERPETUAL , TDOPITLAR , EERLESS , -t R1NCELYtREEMlNENT. . WAIT FOR IT ! SEE IT ! DON'T MI83 II ! TT3 LIKE IS NOT ON EAETHJ Granrt Glorious Free Strost Parade at 10 A , M. on the Day of the Exhibition- TWO PERFORMANCES DAILY , AT 2 AND 8 P. M. CENTS ADMITS TO COMBINED SHOWS CIRCUS , MENAGERIE AND HIPPODROME Special Excursion Rates OH All Liiios of Travel , Special T.okot Sale at Branch Ticket Office , Merchants Hotel Oigar Stand. COUNCIL BLUFFS , JULY 2. 23,0110.1 Inaugurate One of the Grandest Clearing Sales. . OP FINE CLOTHING , FURNISH INGS , HATS , ETC. , AT LESS THAN EOC ON THE DOLLAU. SUCH AN OFFER SEEMS HTRANQn. BUT IT IS NEVERTHELESS - THELESS TRUE. YOUR ; HIONEV BACK .WITHOUT A MURMUR IF ANY HOUSE IN OMAHA OFFERS EQUAL VALUES. MEN'S FINE DRESS SUITS , SACKS OR FROCKS , AT 5.00 , 7.CO , $10.00 AND HOYS' SUITS , AGES 13 TO 18 , AT Jl.76 , $2.7G , | 4.00 AND $5.00. CHILDREN'S SUITS , AGES i TO 13 , AT COO , $1.00 , $1.00 AND $2.00. ALL OTHER GOODS WILL DE SOLT7 REGARDLESS OF VALUE. DON'T MISS THE PLACE. WESTERN CLOTHING CO , 1317-1319 Douglas Street. Three Doors from Corner 14th Street. Look for the large sign , Clearing Sale on Clothing. EXACT SIZE PERFECTOJ TI1E MERCANTILE IS THE FAVORITE TEN CENT CIGAR , ale \n nil First Clfisa Dealers. Mnnufacturod by tno F , H , KICK MERCANTILE CIGAR CO. , Factory No 301 , St. Louis , Mo ,