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 ,
