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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 1894)
Ifl TTIR rurAriA HAIT.V "RRn : . KimnAV .iriNR a inni TWF.NTY PAOKS. m CHILE i334 BESUME OF LOUBDE8. Jlrlcf Synopsis of I Portlmi ofohi's Crrnt Htory U'Micli Uim Itciui I'rlntcd. CKAITIJIl I. The opening tcencot "Lourd , " which wns commenced I" serial form In Sun day's HOP of April 15 , In In a car of. tlierhll * train. " which carries Iho very sick pllgrlma ) from Paris In I/mrdes. Among the pilgrims Js Mnrle do Clnermilnl , a yountf woman who for year * has Ix-rn bedridden. Bho la accompanied by tier father anil the At > b 1'lorre Kromcnt. CHAI'TIIU ir.-The Abb" 1'lerre was the nan of a chemist , who mm ! nt Neullly. Living next them writM. . Me llucriinlnl nnd hl.i family. Llttlo Marie ilc Cluenvilnt and Pierre played to- Kether , ami llnnlly fell In love with ench other ns they Krew jip. Mnrle received nn Injury which resulted In nearly total paralysis. An nhe could never be Ills wife I'lcrre bccamt a r-rlest. ClfAPTKn Iff. The mifrerlnn In the train li Intense when It stops at I'oillcra half nn hour for lunch , . CltAITKK fV. As the train slnrta Sophie Cou- tenu sets In. Hhc tells tlio story of the euro accorded to her diseased foot by simply dipping It In the water nt Ixurilc . CHAlTKIl V. The abbe rends aloud n book giving the history of Ilernndetle , nnd describes tna eighteen times she saw the visions In the IH-otto , Lourdes Is reached In the early morn- Inff. A the train rolls Into the station an un known man dlen. 8iCON DAY , CHAPTER I. A vivid picture In given of the confusion when the Invalid * ore landed and conveyed to the hospital. . c-HAITnil It. The hospital la greatly over crowded. At 8 n. in. the procession to the frrotto starts , rather Mnssals nslts the vast consrregntlon to piny for n great miracle , as the body of the man who died In the train la to bo Immersed In the pool In hopes that life will be restored. CHAfTKR Iff. The nbbe meets his old friend , Dr. ChassalRne. The crowd forces the nbbo to the pools. The dend man la brought In nnd Immersed. No miracle occurs. On going out the abbe finds that Marie haa been bathed with out effect. CIIAITUK IV. Dr. Cliosvilene accompnnlea the nbbo to the llureau of Crtldcatlons. Eliza Jlouquct , whose face wns made hideous by n lupus , declares the sore Is steadily drying up. Ia Orlvotto , who had been In the last stages of consumption , comes rushlnc In , shouting , "I am CHAPTER V. In the evening the abbo vlslla Marie at the hospital. She la very much de pressed because she wns not cured , nnd Is los ing her faith In the church. He rends to the Invalids , continuing the story of Hcrnadctte , telling how pcitM.rutlon * followed upon the first miracles , how the grotto wns closed by soldiers and believers forbidden to get the water , until finally faith In HIP miracles became BO great that the church nnil the government took cog nizance of It nnd the grotto was mndo free. Hlx years after the apparitions the first re ligious ceremony wns held at the grotto , nnd n marble statue of the Lady of Lourdea erected. Five years after that the beautiful basilica had been built , ami the first mans was held In 111 The abbe's lecltntlon cheers up the Invalid * nnd restores Marie's faith. All the occupants of the ward partnko of the holy communion , and the lights nro put out. THIRD DAY. CHAPTER I. In one of the two little rooms that ha had been lucky enough to hire on the third floor ot the Hotel dcs Apparitions , Rue de la Qrotto , M. de Guersalnt was already up and- dressed by 7 o'clock on that lovely Sunday morning In August that shone forth hot , but fine. He had gone to bed at 11 and had waked feeling refreshed and brisk , and at - once went Into the next room , occupied by Pierre. The latter , who had only retired after 1 In the morning , and who had tossed through wakeful hours , only succeeded In Bleeping at daybreak , and was still asleep. Ills soutane , flung across a. chair , as well as bis other clothes carelessly thrown about , told of his fatigue and distress : "Well , well , lazy bones , " gayly cried SI. So Gucrsalnt , "do you not hear the bells ringing ? " 1'lerro jumped up suddenly , astonished to End himself In this narrow hotel room , Into which the sun was pouring. It was , In fact , through the open windows that the Joyous Bound of the hells came In .that told of a happy and grateful town. "We shall never get to the hospital before 8 o'clock to fetch Marie If we are to have breakfast. " "Oh , yes , we will. Order two cups of chocolate to bo brought at once. I will get up and not bo long In dressing. " When alone I'lcrro sprang from the bed , notwithstanding the backache he already felt. Ho was still plunging his head Into the basin of cold water when M. da Guersalnt , who could not bear to bo alone , reappeared. "It Is ordered ; they will bring It up at onco. Oh , this hotel ! Did you see tha proprietor , M. Majcste , all dressed In white , most dignified , sitting In his office ? It seenu they are cram full ; there has never been such a crowd heretofore. And what an In fernal racket ! Three times I was waked last night. I do not know what was going on In the room next to mine ; Just now I heard a thump on the wall , then whisperings and talking" Ho Interrupted himself to ask : "Did you sleep well ? " "No , " answered Plorro. "I was perfectly overcome with fatigue and It was impossible to close my eyes. I was doubtless disturbed by all the uproar of which you speak. " Ho , too , had heard through the thin walls , ( or the house was overflowing and filled with ft mixed crowd. The entire night ono might have heard Inexplicable noises , sudden run ning In the hallways , heavy steps , loud voices coming out ot space , without counting the groan ? of the 111 people or coughs that teemed to come out of the very walls. Evi dently' people had been coming In and going out , getting up und going to bed all night , Igng , , for In this Irregularity of active re ligious life there was no special hour or leason , but people went to their devotions is they might have gone to their amuse- i -ments. ; , "And how did you leave Marie last night ? " luddenly asked M. de Guersalnt. "Much bettor , " answered Pierre. "Sho i had a very bad turn , but recovered all her courage and her faith. " There , was a silence. "Oh , I am not worried , " contlnui < d the father , with his quiet optimism , "You will . ice that all will go well , As for me , I am > enchanted , I asked the Holy Virgin to smllo upon my business affairs , you know my 1 great Invention for air navigation. What would you say. If I told you she had already shown mo favors ? Yes , Indeed , In talking with Abbo iles Hermolsos , last evening , ho aald he felt sure ho could mid mo a backer a man ot means at Toulouse , one of his friends , who U Immensely rich and greatly Interested In mechanlco. I could see at once In It all the finger of God. " Ho laughed like a child and then added : "Ho Is such a charming man , that Abbo des Hermolsos. I shall fee thin afternoon If I Icannot manage to make the excursion through the mountain ranges of Gavarlnc. Economically , of course. " Pierre , who wished to. pay for everything , Including tha hotel , encouraged him In a friendly way. "Of course , do not miss this chance to visit tbo mountains , for you want EO much to go. Your daughter will bo co glad to have you happily employed. " They were Interrupted by a maid servant bringing In two cups of chocolate and two rolls on a tray , covered with a napkin , and as she left the door open a bird's-eye view of the corridor was given. "Why , they are already making up tha next room , " remarked M. do GuersahU In quisitively , "My neighbor Is married. Is ho not ? " The maid was surprised. "Oh , no , ho Is quite alone. " "How' * that ? Quite alone ! Ha never topped moving about , talking and whisper ing In tliero this morning.1' "That li Impossible ; ho Is alone. Jla baa ] tit | gone down Btalrs , after giving the order . * to make up hlv room at once. There Is but one room , with a large cupboard , of which he carries the key ; no doubt ho has some thing very valuable In It. " She went on with ber gossip as she put Iho two cup * of chocolate on the table. "He la a charming man. Last year he wu able to gi't one of the llttlo outside cot tage * that M. ilajoito rent * In the adjoining tfMt. Hut thl * year he waa too late , and lad to ti ntlifled with this one room , which did not pca ! < 3 him , As he does not care to cat down utalrs ho is served In his room , and ho drinks very good wine , und lias splen * did (113)103. ( ) " "That Is It , " concluded M. de Guersalnt gayly ; "hi1 must have dined too well last night. " I'lcrre had listened with curiosity. "And on this side , next to irtc , nro there not two ladles with a gentleman and a child with a crutch ? " "Yes , nbbe , I know them. The aunt , Mme. Chaise , has taken one of the rooms , while M , and Mme. Vlgcron , with their son , Gustavo , are crowded Into the other. This Is the second year they have been here. Oh , they are nlso very nice people ! " Indeed , during the night Pierre had thought ho recognized M. Vlgeron's voice , who seemed to suffer greatly from the heat. Then , as the maid went out , she ted ) who wore some of the other occupants of the hall way. TO the left a priest , n mother with three daughters , a couple of "old people ; to the right another single man , u young woman nlonc , another family of five little children. The hotel was full to the very attics. The maid tcrvants , who had given up their rooms to the guests , all slept to gether In the laundry. The night before cots had even been placed on the stair landIngs - Ings , nnd an honorable ecclesiastic had been forced to sleep en a billiard table. After the servant was gone and the two men had finished their chocolate M. de Guer salnt went again Into his room to wash hla hands , for he was very particular , and Pierre , left nlone , attracted by the brilliant sunshine outside , stepped for a moment on the narrow balcony. All the roams on the third floor on this side of the hotel opened on n small balcony , with n railing of orna mental woodwork. His surprise was ex treme , for from a nelgborlng balcony that belonged to the room occupied by the man who was quite nlone he saw a woman's head appear , and ho had recognized Mine. Volmar. It was certainly she , with her oval face , small ) refined features and large , magnificent eyes likes coals of fire , over which passed at times a mist that seemed to hide their luster. She gave a Jump when she saw who It was , and he , too , feelIng - Ing annoyed and troubled thus to have both ered her , retired In haste. Then ho understood all , with a sudden clearness. The man who wns only able to hlro this ono room , and hiding In It bis mis tress , shutting her In the large cupboard \vhlle the room was being made , feeding her from the things sent up to him , drinking from the same glass , and the noises of the previous night were also explained , and thus she would be Imprisoned for three whole days , revelling In her passion within tMs locked room. No doubt when the room had been made she had opened the cupboard from the Insldo and stuck her head out of the wlnd6w to look down Into the street to sea If her friend was not returning. This was the reason why she had not been seen at the hospital , where little Mme. Dcsag- ncaux waa constantly asking about her. Motionless , disgusted , Pierre fell Into a deep reverie , thinking first of this woman's existence In her conjugal life In Parts , that ho knew well , passed with a suspicious mother-in-law nnd an unworthy husband , and then of these three days of entire liberty once a year , the sudden flame of love that was lighted under the sacrilegious Ptetcxt of coming to Lourdes to please God. Tears that ho could not explain , tears that came from the very depth of his being , from his voluntary chastity , filled his eyes in sentimental sadness. " .Wcllnro we ready ? " M. do Guersalnt cried gayly , as ho reappeared with His gloves on and dressed In his srny coat. "Yes , yes ; let us go , " said Pierre , turning away to find his hat , but really to dry his eyes. eyes.As As they wont out they heard a thick voice that they recognized as that of M. Vlgneron , who wns about saying his morning prayers very loud. Another meeting Interested them. As they came down the hall they ran Into a man of about 40 , broad and stocky , with side whiskers. He bent his back and passed so quickly that they could not distinguish his features. Ho carried In his hand a package , carefully wrapped up. Ho turned the key , shut the door and dis appeared Ilko a shadow , without a sound. M. do Guersalnt turntd around. "Hello , that Is the lone man. Ho must have bean to market and has fetched homo some delicacies. " . Plerro pretended not to have hoard him , for he thought his companion too Irre sponsible to confldo a secret that was not Us own. Then , too , he was seized with a sort of modest fear at the Idea of this revelation of fleshly appetites concealed : n that > room , here In the midst of the mystical exaltation that ho felt surrounded them. They reached the hospital Just as the In valids were being brought down stalra to bo taken to the grotto. They found Marie very bright , for she had slept well. She kissed her father and scolded him when she heard ho had not yet decided to go on the excursion to Gnvurnlc. If-ho did not go It would dis please her greatly. She further said , ' with her quiet yet smiling nlr' that she would not bo cured that day. Then she looked mys terious and begged that Plerro would obtain permission for her to pass the following night In front ot the grotto. This favor was greatly longed for by all , but was- only granted after some difficulty to those who seemed specially In need. After disclaiming the Idea , fearing that her health would suffer from the night air , ho promised to make the attempt , seeing how unhappy It made her to deny her request. Slio doubtless hoped that , faceto , face with the Holy Virgin./she / would bo hoard in the slumberous peacb of the darftneas. And when 10 o'clock came she felt * BO lost among the crowds ot Invalids In front of the grotto that she asked to betaken taken back to the hospital , saying her eyes were tired by ths glare of the daylight. When her'father and the priest had installed her .onco moro In the ward of St , Honorlno she sent them away for the whole day. "No , do not como to fetch mo ; I shall not go back to the grotto this afternoon ; It Is useless , Hut tonight at 9 o'clock you will come , Pierre , to take mo thither ? It Is understood ; you have given mo your word. " Ho repeated that ho would try to obtain permission from Father Fourcado If he must. "Then , darling , till this evening , " said M. do Guersalnt , kissing her. And they left her quietly In her bed , with an absorbed air , her great dreamy eyes smiling , looking Into space. When they got back to the Hotel of the Apparitions It was only half-past 10. En chanted by the lovely weather , M. do Quor- Biilnt spoke of breakfasting at once , so as to start as soon as possible to inspect the town ot Lourdes. Ilut he wished to go up to his room , and ns Pierre followed him they bo- cumo spectators In an unexpected drama. The Vlgnerons' door was wldo open , and stretched on a sofa that served him for a bed lay llttlo Gustavo. He was ghastly , having suddenly fainted , and for a moment his father and mother thought It was the end. Mmo. Vlgneron , leaning back In a chair , was breathless from the fright she had suffered. Whllo rushing about the room M. Vlgnoron was hurriedly preparing a glass of sugar and water , Into which ho dropped some elixir. He said that this would surely bring him to. Did any ono over hear of such a thing ? A strong boy to faint thus and gut as whlto as a chicken ! He looked at Mmo. Chaise , the aunt , who was standing by the sofa , looking remarkably well that mornIng - Ing , and hli hands trembled still moro at the horrible Idea that It this stupid turn had car ried off their son the aunt's money would not have como to them. ' Ho toasT beside himself , unlocked the .child's teeth and made him drink the con tents of the gloss by force. When ho saw htm open hl eyes and sigh his fatherly spirit returned , however , nnd he wept , call ing him his llttlo dear. When Mine. Clialsa came near to help him Gustavo pushed her back with a gesture of-sudden hatred , as though ho understood the Inoonsclent per version Into which this woman's money threw his parents , who wore good souls , nevertheless. With wounded fouling * the old woman sat down apart , while the father ind mother , reassured , thanked the Holy Virgin for having saved their darling , who .milled at them with his sid nnd shy smile , thtit r.cemcd to know ull and having no longer at fifteen nny taste for life. "Can wo be of nny USD to yon ? " asked Pierre , cordially. "No , no ; thanks , " answered M. Vlgneron , Romlng out Into Iho hall for a moment , "Oh ! wo had such n shock ! Fancy an only won and one who Is dear to ns" All around them the breakfast hour roused the whole hottso. All the doors opened and the halls and the stalrwaya wcro filled with continual cavalcades of people. Three great girls passed , sweeping their skirts. In a neighboring room young children were cryIng - Ing , ol.l people hurried , priests followed , losing their Identity as they held up their soutanes In order to get along faster. From nil Bides the boards were creaking under this unusual heavy weight of the crowds. A maid servant , carrying breakfast on n large tray , had knocked nt the door of the single man , that door which opened after n short time , when she went In , showing the empty room , wlier * the man uat nlonc , his back to the door , nnd when tho" maid came out the door was again discreetly closed. "Oh , I hope that it Is all ever now , and that the Holy Virgin will euro lilm , " said M. Vlgneron , who would not lot his two neighbors go. "Wo nro going down , tor I can tell you I am exhausted. I am fearfully hungry. " When Plerro and M. do Ouersalnt left their rooms they were not able to find the smallest corner of any table empty In the dining room. A most extraordinary crowd was there , and the few empty seats were engaged. A waiter informed them that from 10 until 1 the room was never empty , BO greatly were the appetites sharpened by the fresh mountain nlr. There was nothing to do but wait , so they bogged the waiter to toll them as soon ns there wore two vacant seats. Not knowing what to dd , they went out to walk on the hotel veranda that over looked the street , where a , ceaseless popula tion , dressed In their Sunday clothes , walked up and down. The proprietor of the Hotel dcs Apparitions , M. Majoste , himself nil dressed In white , came out , saying , with the greatest civility : "Perhaps these gentlemen would care to wait In the parlor ? " He was a big man , of 45 , who tried to carry out his surname with a royal manner. Dald , smooth faced , round blue eyes In a waxy face , with three double chins , ho still maintained a great amount of dignity. Ho came from Nevers with the sisters who worked In the orphanage , and had married a woman from Lourdes , small and dark. In less than fifteen years these two people had made their hotel one ot the most clo- slrable , the most frequented In the town. For several years they had opened a busi ness for religious articles , and had a large shop to the left of the hotel that was kept by u young niece under the supervision of Mme. Majeste. "Perhaps these gentlemen would like to sit In the parlor ? " repeated the host , made very civil by Pierre's soutane. But they preferred to. ttroll about In the open air. Majeste consequently did not leave them , but chatted a while , ns was his custom when anxious to be very polite to his guests. The conversation turned on the torchlight procession that was to take place In the evening , und that promised to be superb in such splendid weather. There were more than 50,000 strangers In Lourdes , and participants had come from all the neighboring watering places , so that ex plained the great crush at the table d'hote. Perhaps jho bread might oven give out in the town , as had happened last year. You can see the fearful crowd , " concluded Majesto. "It Is hard to manage at all. Indeed , It is not my fault If you are forced to wait a while. " Just at that moment the postman arrived with a large mall , a package of newspapers and letters that he put on the table. Then , having kept one letter In his hand , ho asked : "Havo you a Mme. Maze stopping here ? " "Mine. Maze , Mme. Maze , " , repeated the Inn keeper. "No , certainly not. " Pierre , having heard , came forward and said : "Mmo. Maze ? Such a person Is stop ping with the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. I think they call them the blue sisters here. " The postman thanked him and went off. A luird smile curled itself on Majeste's lips. "The blue sisters , " he murmured. "Ah , those blue sisters. " He glanced at Pierre's habit , then stopped short , fearing to have said too much. Dut his heart was overflowing and ho wanted sympathy. Besides , this young priest came from Paris and had a much more frank look than those who formed members of the "band , " as ho designated all the associates of the grotto those who coined money out of Our Lady of Lourdes so he thought ho would risk It. "Now , Abbe. I swear that I am a good Christian In fact , we are all here and I practice ray faith and go to my Easier com munion , but really I say that nuns ought not to keep a hotel. No , no , It Is not right. " And ho poured out all his commercial rancor to ono who , ho thought , would agree. Should not these Sisters of the Immaculate Conception these blue sisters keep to their proper duties , that ot preparing the holy bread and the washing and mending of sacred linen ? But no. They had trans formed their convent Into an immense hos telry , where ladles traveling alone might each have a room , r < lght eat at a common table or be served separately. It was all very clean , very well organized nnd not dear , thanks to the many advantages enjoyed by the sisters. No hotel In Lourdes had the same amount of business. "Now , do you think It proper for a re ligious order to sell soup ? And then , too , the superior Is a wonderful woman , who , seeing n fortune In this thing , wished her houie to receive the full benefit , and reso lutely separated from the fathers of the grotto who wanted to oversee her. Yes , Abbo , she even went to Rome , where she gained her end , and now she pockets all the money from the bills. All , to see nuns letting out furnished rooms and setting a Intel table 1" Ho stretched his arm up heavenward , as though choking , "But If your own house U too full , " gently objected Pierre , "since/ / you have neither a vacant bed nor a plato to spare where would you put any more travelers should they come to you ? " Majosto quickly cried : "Ah , . Abbe , It Is plain you do not know this partiCf the world. During the national pilgrimage , It Is true , wo all work hard , and cannot complain. But that only lasts four or five days , and In ordinary seasons custom Is not so great. As for me , thank God , I am always satisfied. My house Is known , It Is ai good as the Hotel do la Grotto , where two fortunes have already been mado. Nevertheless , It Is vexIng - Ing to see those blue sisters take away cus tomers , specially the ladles of fortu.no who como to spend a fortnight at Lourdci , somo- tlmes three weeks ; and always at dull sea sons when there Is no crowd. You under stand , do you not ? Well bred pcoplo who hate noise , who wish to pray whole days alcno at the grotto , but who pay well and never dispute the bill , " Madame Majeete , whom Plerro and M. de Guersalnt had not yet perceived , as she wal sluing behind a tall desk making up her accounts , hero broke In with a sharp voice : "Last year , gentlemen , wo had such a guest for two months. She used to go to the grotto , como back and forth , eat and sleep ; never a word , always smiling and pleased with everything. She paid her bill without oven looking at It. Ah , such cus tomers are to be regretted. " She rose , small , thin , very dark , dressed entirely In black , with a flat collar. She commenced again : "If these- gentlemen wish to take away any llttlo souvenirs of Lourdes they must not forget us. Wo have near here a shop , where they will find a large selection of 'Choice articles. People stopping hero celdom go elsewhere to make their purchases. " Again Majesto shook her head In a manner that seemed to convey that , as became a good Christian , she felt sad at the scandals about him. "I certainly do not wish to lack any re spect toward the reverend fathers , but I must. In truth , confess that they are rather greedy. Did you notice the llttlo booths that they have established near the grotto ? They are always crowded , where they sell rclljtlous articles and candles. A bUhop de clared It was shameful and that the money Icnderw ought agAnilto bo chnsqd from the temple. They alto my that the fathers control the largo ( hop opposite hero In this street , where small merchants are supplied , Irdcnd. It one listened to nit the stories tint circulate It ftttlld seem that they have n hand In all tlip-icotniliorco round about here of rollglous/ittlclos ; they receive o infch per cent on Iho millions of rosarle1 * sold , the statuctt ilnd medals that are sold each year at Lourdn. " Ho had lowered his voice , for his accusa tions wcro spcflflc , nnd ho felt rather troubled to have thus confided to a stranger. Dut Pierre's gentle face reassured him , and ho continued his tile of wounded prlJc , and tils commercial dijstlnct decided him to finish , "I dare say All this la exaggerated , but It Is none the less n great pity for religion's crkc tu > sco holy lathers keeping shop Ilko nny ot the rest of us. For Instance , I do rot go nnd ask tlicm to divide the money paid for masses , nor nsk them so much per I I ent from the presints they receive. There fore , why should they sell what I sell ? Our last year has been only moderately | I good , on account of them. There nro al- rridy too many In trade at Lourdes , so that oven wo shall Ilnd It hard even to earn bread to cat' or wtter to drink. Oh , Abb.1 , the holy Virgin has need to bo with us , for tl-ere nre oftentimes when things go very badly. " Some ono called him , but ho returned Just ns a young girl came to fetch Mine. Mnjcste. She wns n girl from Lourdes , very pretty , sir.nll nnd plump , with beautiful black hair nnd round face , bright with gayety. "Our niece , Appollne , " said .Majeste , "for two years has kept our shop. She Is the daughter of a poor brother of my wife , and used to tend sheep nt Ossun , near Dartres , when , struck by her sweetness , wo decided to bring her here , and wo do not repent , for she works well and has been a very apt saleswoman. " What he did not tell wns that rather frivolous stories wcro current In regard to Appollne. She had * been seen wandering off. at night time along the banks of the Gave , But she was very useful , drawing custom , perhaps by her black eyes that laughed HO osslly. The year before Gerard do Poyro- Icrgue never left the shop , and no doubt oiOy his thoughts of aerlous matrimony pre- vci.ted him from returning this season. Ho seemed to be replaced by the gallant Abbo , ' nlly tlio peaches. And , nt any rate , tlto guests were not hard to please , being with out particular tastes , not easily upsot. A ilcllcato young Rlrl , very pretty , with tender eye * and a nkln Ilko 811k , wns squeezed In between an old priest and a bearded man. dirty , nnd who was eating stowed kidneys with n delighted air , although they wcro floating In the gray water Intended for ouce. "Ily Jove , " again snld M. do Guersalnt , "this Balinon Is not bad. Add a little alt nnd It Is perfect. " Pferro decided to try to cat to sustain himself. Seated nt a small table next to theirs he lunl Just recognized M. VlRncron and -Mnio. Chaise. Tlio ladles seemed to bo waiting , as though they had come down first , and wcro sitting opposite each other. Indeed , In n few moments , M. Vlgncron ap peared , with his son , Gustnvc , the latter still very pale , and leaning heavily on liU crutch , ( "Sit next your annt , " he said. "I will alt near your mother. " Tlion , porc.elvlng his two neighbors , ho np- proachcd them. "Oh , ho Is quite right ngnln , I Imvo Just rubbed him with cologne water , nnd he will bo able to take his bath presently at the pool. " Ho sat down and devoured the food. Hut after his shock ho could not help talking about It , so greatly had the fear of his son's death before that of the mint overcome him. She was telling how the day before , when kneeling at tlio grotto , she had suddenly felt better , and she fancied shn was cured of her heart trouble , giving so many de tails that her brothcr-ln-Iaw listened with round eyes and evidently very unquiet. Ho was really n good man and had never wished for the death of any one , but ho felt a sort of Indignation at the Idea that the Virgin should cure this old woman , while over looking his young son. Ho had already got to the chops nd was swallowing down largo forkfuls of the mashed potato , when he fancied ho saw that Mine. Clmlso was snub bing her nephew : "Gustavo , " ho Bald all at once , "have you asked your aunt's pardon ? " The llttlo boy opened his eyes wldo with a look of 'astonishment over his thin face : "Yes- you were very naughty. "You pushed her away , up stairs , when she was anxious to help you to sit down. " Mme. Clmlso looked very dignified , hold her peace and walled , while Qustnvc , who cat without nppetlto his morsel of omelet , kept his eyes down on his plato , determined to resist the sad duty that tenderness Im posed. "Come , now , Gustavo , be good. You know how kind your aunt Is to you nnd all she Intends tg do far you. " No , no , ho would not yield. At this mo ment ho hated this woman who would not die fast , enough , who spoiled his parents , affection' for him to that degree that ho could not tell when they rushed to help him whether they really wanted to save his tlfo or get the Inheritance that he repre sented. Hut Mme. Vlgncron , unusually dignified. Joined her husband's appeal : "Hoally , Gustavo , you pain us greatly. Ask your aunt's pardon unless you wish to make mo very angry. " So he gave la. Why struggle ? Would K HE RECOGNIZED MME. VOLMAR. des Hcrmolns , who brought many ladles there to make their purchases. "Ah , you are speaking about Appollne , " saW Mme. Majcste , coming back from the shop."H ivo you noticed ono thing , gentle- irtn her extraordinary resemblance to Bernadetto ? There , on the wall hangg a photograph of the latter , taken when she was 18. " Plerro and M. de uersaint approached to look , while Majesto added : "Exactly like Bernadqtte , It Is Appollne , but much smaller , much sadder and poor. A waiter finally came to say there was n small table vacant. , M. do Guersalnt had gone twice to vainly try for a seat Inthe dining room , for ho greatly wished to break fast and get oft on this lovely Sunday morn- Ing. So ho hurried oft without listening further to Majestl , who was saying in an atn- lablo way that he hoped the gentleman had not waited too long. The little table was at the very end of the room that they had to cross from one side to the other. It was a long room , painted In light oak and oily yellow that , had already pealed off , and covered with spots. Thoi smell of cookIng - Ing and service pervaded , caused by the con stant meals with which the eaters wore served. The only decorations consisted ot a glided clock on the mantel piece , supported on either side by two meagre candelabra. There were guipure lace curtains at the flvo windows that opened 011 the street to the full glare of the sun. Even when the shades were lowered the light flickered through In bright beams. In tha.center forty persons wcro crowded round the table d'hote , about ten yards long and really made for only thirty , while at small tables to the right and left another forty persons were crowded , next to the > vall and constantly pushed against by the three waiters. From the mo ment of entering pne felt stunned by the ex traordinary hubbub , a noise -voices , of forks nnd of cllsltoa ; It was Ilko entering a damp oven , where the face was struck , by a hot steam , tilled with a suffocating smell of cooking. i At first I'lerrqcould , distinguish nothing. But upon being eated at their llttlo table , like one that Is seen In n garden , brought In for the occaslo/i , and that barely hold their two plate's , he was rather disgusted at the the sight of 'the .table d'hote that ho took In at a glance. It'had been going on for an hour , two sets of .customers had been served and the places Were completely demoralized , spotted with witta and sauces. The very fruit dishes that 'served ' as the only decora tion were no longer In their proper places. But ho was astonished , above all , by the class of caters. " Enormously fat prlestb , thin young glrlsK mothers Inclining to stout ness , men very red' and alone , whole strings of families , nliowlns generations of piteous and aggravated ujjllness. All those people perspired ns the'y ate ravenously , seated gldewUe. with their arpis close together and unsteady hands. Among these great appe tites that were sharpened by fatigue , In this haste to fill up In order to return at once to the grotto , there sat about the middle ot the table a corpulent ecclesiastic who did not hurry himself , but ate with a wise gravity and uninterrupted and dignified motion of his "Gracious ! U Is not'cold In here , " said M. de Guorsalnt. "I shall bo glad to oat , how ever , for ever since I have been at Lourdes I am perfectly furnishing. And you , are you "Yes , yes ; I will eat , " answered Pierre , who , however , had not much appetite. The bill of fare was copious. Salmon , omelet , chops , with potatoes ; stewed kid neys , cold meats and apricot tarts , all over cooked , running In lauce * a though heated more than once before rvltiK. But the fruit In tbo dlshej WBJ fairly fine , capecl- It not bo better for his parents to have the money ? Would ho not have to "dlo all the same oven If that settled the family affairs ? He know that , for ho understood It all , even when not spoken , so greatly had illness sharpened his quick senses that heard even unuttercd words. "Aunt , I beg your pardon for having been so unkind to you Just now. " But two great tears rolled down his cheeks , although ho" smiled with his od ! fashioned manner aa If ho had already lived too long. Mmo. Chaise at once kissed him , saying she wits not at all angry , and from tlienco on the pleasure of the Vlgnoron In in Ily was restored In all good will. "If the kidneys are not very famous , " said M. do Guersalnt , "at least those cauli flowers are excellent. " The formidable mastication continued throughout the room. Pierre had never seen ptoplo eat so much In such a heat or In such a choking atmosphere of steaming dishes. The smell of cooking Increased till It was almost Ilko .smoke. One had to scream to bj heard , for every ono was talking very loud.and the waiters rushed about , crashing the dishes as they ran , without taking Into consideration the chewing noise , that was qulto distinct. What bothered the young priest was the extraordinary promiscuousness - ness at the table d'hoto , where men , women , young girls and priests wcro crammed , all delighted to bo there able to assuage their hunger Ilka a ravenous beast that grabs any morsel In hasto. The bread : baskets wore filled and emptied. There was a massacre ot cold meats all that remained of the Joints of the preceding day. Mutton , veal , horn , surrounded by pieces ot clear Jolly that trembled Ilko glue. If ono had eaten too much these cold meats brought back uonio appetite In the thought that nothing must retrain. The careful eating priest at the middle ot the table hold on to the fruit and vras at hfs third peach enormous peaches that ho peeled slowly nnd swallowed In slices with great conmpunctlon. Just then a commotion was created In the room by a waiter who was distributing the mall that Mine. Majesto sorted. "Hullo ! " said M. Vlgncron. "A letter for mo. It Is surprising , I did not give my address to any ono. " Then ho recollected , "Oh , yes. It must be from Sauvagcot , who Is taking my place In the financial depart ment. " And opening the letter , his hands trembled and ho gave a cry : "My chief Is dead ! " Mmo. Vlgnoron , overcome , could not hold her tongue. "Then you will bo nominated ! " It was their dearest , secret dream ; the death of the chief , that should place him who , for ten years , had been the sub ordinate , up In the superior grade of n.srahsl. Ills Joy was 10 great ho forgot all. t "Ah , my dear , the Holy Virgin Is certainly with us. Only this morning I asked her for my advancement , and now It Is granted. " At once ho remembered that ho should not thus rejoice , as he met the fixed gaze of Mme. Chaise and seeing Gustavo , too , smile. Bach one In that family had their butlneai with the Virgin and asked some personal benefit for which he had need. So ho said , with a cordial manner : ] ( "I meant to lay that the Holy Virgin loves us all greatly and will send us all away * sat a isfied. Ah , poor chief , I am Indeed sorry , I must send a card to his widow. " In splto of his effort he could not help feeling pleased , for ho now saw his most secret wishes gratified , even thosi ) that be bad never confessed to hlmvolf. So they all ate merrily of the apricot tarts ; even Gu - i tnvo wt given permission to tnko s tiny piece. "It Is astonishing , " said M. de Guersalnt , who was drinking a cup of coffee ; "It Is ns- tonlshlng that one does not no * more Invallda about. All these people seem to really have most tremendous appetites. " Yet on looking around ho did ilnd , besides Gtntave , who picked at hU foot Ilko n Mile chicken , n nuui with a goitre sitting at the table d'hoto between two women , one of whom certainly looked ns though she had n cancer. Further away \\ns n young plrl who was so thin nnd palu that one must suspect consumption. Cuid still further was nn Idiot who had been brought In sup ported by her parents , and who wns now tnklng her food by means of spoon , uplll- ing most of It on her bib , and although her eyes wore bright , her face was like that of n Mead person. Doubtless there wcro other Invalids nUo that were net enilly distinguished In the crowd of ravenous caters Invalids whose nppetltca had been renewed by their long Journey , who nto ns they had not eaten for months. Everything disappeared , the apri cot tnrts , cheese , fruits , nil vanished , leav ing only the largo spots of sauce und wine that got larger and larger upon the table cloth , It wns nearly 12 o'clock. "Let us return at once to the grotto , " said M. Vlgncron. And from every side these words might be heard , "To the grotto ! " "To the grotto ! " Full mouths were emptied , to bo again filled with prayers nnd hymns , "Well , " declared M. do Gucrsalnt , "so long ns we have the afternoon before us I propose to look about the town n little , nnd I will also find a carriage to make the excursion , as my daughter Is anxious to have me go. " Pierre , who was suffocating , was glad to leave the dining room. On the porch be breathed again. Ilut there they met u fresh Influx of customers , all waiting for scats ; even the small tables were greatly sought after , nnd the barest chance at the table d'hoto was quickly Improved. For still an other hour the siege continued. The blll-ot- faro was scanned nnd overcome In the midst ot the sounds of eating , of the heat and the Increasing nauseous atmosphere. "Excuse me for an Instant , " said Pierre. "I must go upstairs and fetch a clean hand kerchief. " Upstairs , through the silence of the de serted staircase nnd halls , he heard n faint noise ns he reached the door of his room. It was a soft laugh that came from the next room , and that followed a sudden fall of a fork. Then ensued , more gnctscil at than really heard , the thrilling pressure of a kiss , lip's pressed upon other lips to al- lenco them. The man , who was qulto nlonc , was also breakfasting. CHAPTER II. Once outside Plerro and Monsieur do Guer salnt walked slowly through the ever grow ing crowd of well dressed people. The sky was n dazzling blue , the sun flooded the town and there was n holiday nlr about It all that Is to be seen nt fair times , when the llfo of a whole nation Is found outdoors. When they had gone down the crowded walk that led to the grotto they were stopped nt the corner of tbo Place do la Morlalse , for the mass was so thick that ono could scarcely got between the horses' feet and the vast number of carriages. "We are not In a hurry , " said Monsieur de Gucrsalnt. "My Idea Is to go up to the Place du Marcadal , In the old part of the town , for the maid nt the hotel told me there was a barber there whoso brother let ! out carriages very cheap. Will It make any difference to you if we go that way ? " "To me , " cried Pierre. "Go wherever you wish , I follow. " "All right , and I will get shaved at the same time. " They reached the Place du Bolalre. When In front ot the grass plot. ? that stretch down to the gate they were again stopped. Mme. Dcsagneaux and Raymondo were there talkIng - Ing gayly with Gerard de Peyrelonguo. The two ladles were dressed In light colored gowns , nt for a watering place , and their white silk parasols shimmered In the sun shine. They formed a pretty group a bit of worldly coquetry , with their fresh laughter and youthful looks. "No , no , " replied Mm. Desagncaux , "wo are not going to visit your 'popote' like that Just at the ttmo all your com rades are eating. " Gerald Insisted most politely , turning specially toward Raymonde , whose rather dull face was that day brightened by the real charm of health. "But I assure you It is most Interesting to see. You will bo received most cordially. You may trust yourself to me , mademolseile , nndwe _ will certainly find M. Berthand there , who will be proud to do the honors of our household. " Raymonde smiled and gave assent with her bright eyes ? Just then Plerro and M. de Guersalnt approached and greeted them. They were Instantly told all about it. The "popote , " ns they termed It , was the sort of restaurant or table d'hoto ' that had been established by the members of UieJIospltnllty of Our Lady of Salvation , where the stretcher bearers , the assistants at the grotto , both at the pools and the fountain , might cat to gether very cheaply. As many of them were far from rich , for the Hospitality recruited In all classes , it had been agreed that by paying 3 francs per day they could got throe good meals , and something was even leftover ever , that was distributed to the poor. But It was all done among themselves. They bought the provisions , selected from their own members a cook , the waiters , and no one hesitated to give a helping hand when necessary , "It must bo most Interesting , " cried M. do Gucrsalnt. "Do let us go to see it , If we are not 'do trop. ' " Llttlo Mme. Desagneaux now consented. "Oh , If we can go In n crowd , I am willing. I was afraid It was not quite proper. " Sbo laughed , so all the rest did likewise. She had taken M. do Gucrsalnt's arm , while PIcrro walked on the loft , greatly taken by this gay llttlo woman , so charming nnd bright , with her fluttering blonde hair and milk whlto skin. Behind them walked Raymonde , leaning an Gerard's arm. She was cntortanllng him with her sagacious air of a well bred young lady , that but faintly concealed the Incon sequence of youth. Since she had found at last the long dreamed for husband , she de cided to make a conquest this time. She fascinated him by her appearance of health , while astonishing him by her .knowledge of household matters , about the economics In IIt small things ; for she was giving explana t tions of how to buy , and showed him that t they could reduce their expenses still moro. c "You must feel fearfully fatigued , " said c M. do Guersalnt to MineDcsagneaux. . a She started back and gave an Indignant 1 ry."Indeed 1V 1T "Indeed , no ; Just fanny. I waa qulto ox- V haustod by fatigue -and sat In an arm chair 0 last night at 12 o'clock in the hospital , and ' these ladles had the kindness to let mo sleep. " Again every ono laughed , but she was still flCl fls very much put out. Cl "So that I slept there until morning , like It a sluggard , I , who had vowed to work all night ! " She ended by joining In tbo laugh , showing all her beautiful whlto teeth. ' Ah , I am a nlco uort of sick nurse ! And ' . Is poor Mme , do Jonqulrre , who Blood on her feet the whole time I tried to tempt her to Join us hero Just how , but HMO preferred to AS go to bed for awhile. " Raymondo , who had heard It all , raised her voice : "Oh , yes. Indeed , poor mamma , she could scarcely stand. I obliged her to go to Iwd and promised that she might sleep quietly , fo for I would see all went right. " to She gave a moaning look to Gerard. Ho oven fancied ho felt a slight pressure from the round pretty arm he hold In his own , as though she wore happy to be alone with him , and arrange their llttlo affairs together with out any otitsldo Interference. It enchanted him ; and ho explained how It was ho was not dlilng that day with , his comrades. A as friend of the family , who was leaving by the by train at half past eleven , had Invited him to breakfast at the station buffet , and had only of just given him his liberty , "Oh ! " ho cried , "tho good follows ! . Do you hear them ? " Aa they nearcd "the popote" that was In stalled In an old tin rooted planter building they heard the Joyous sounds of youthful voices , that cnmo from under the trees. Ho wished them first to go In by way of the of kitchen , an Immense room , very well ar ranged , having on om > side a largo oven und great table , with enormoUa sauce paiu on at the other side , and ho made them notice the cook , a Jolly looking man , who wore his red crcms on bis whlto coat , for ne was also a pilgrim. Then pushing open a door he took them Into the common dining room. It waa o long room , containing a double row of plain ptoe tables. There waa no "do i other furniture with the exception of nil extra tnblo for dessert and straw bottomed clinlrJ , such na nro used In an Inn. The whitewashed walls nnd shining red tiles nil Ictki'd uxtromcly clean In thin ntmoal volttr- trry bareness , like a refectory of it monas tery. Hut what was most noticeable from the Instant of entering wns the chlldllkn Ki-yety that pervaded the ICO people , who of all apes were rating with good appetites , laughing , applauding those who ng , nil with their mouths full. An extraordinary fiMernlty milled them , romlng ns they did fit in every where , from nil classes , of dlf- ft'mit fortunes , frjm various province * . Many who did not know ono another mot M brothers for three days each year , went away nnd forgot one another for the re mainder of the year. There wns no charm so gre.it as to meet together In works of clarity , to pass several days In n common fatigue and likewise In boyish pleasure ; tint turned them nil loooso togetncr Ilko n pack ot great boys beneath n clear sky , content to bo happy nnd laugh. And they were not nrcv * administering to the frugality of their ti l-le , oallng whatever was brought nnd had been cooksd. and only served to add to their geiicr.il good humor. "You see , " explained Gerard , "that wo nro not dull , notwithstanding inu hard dutle wo pirform. There tire moro than 300 members of the Itospltallt" , but there are never moro than IfiO guests here , na wo have organized two successive tables , to facilitate the service nt the grotto and In the hospitals. " The sight of the little group of visitors standing on the threshold seemed to Incro.-iso the pleasure of all. Uerthnud , the head of the litter bearers , who was eating at the end uf ono table , stood up politely to receive the ladles. "How good It smells ! " cried Mmo. DCS- ngneaux , with n surprised air. "Will you ask us to taste your cooking tomorrow ? " "Ah , no. No ladles nro allowed , " answered llertl.ainl . , laughingly. "Ilut If those two gentlemen will Join us tomorrow It will give- UN the greatest pleasure. " IK * had noticed at n glance the mutual un derstanding between Kaytuoiido and Gerard , and he seemed delighted , for ho greatly wished his cousin to make this match. So ho answered the young girl's enthuslastlo questions with infinite pleasure. "Is not that the Marquis do Salmon-Roquo- bert ever yonder , sitting between two young men who look like a' op clerks ? " "It Is exactly what they arc , " answered Bcrthaud , "Tho sous of a paper merchant at Tarbos. And It Is nlso the marquis , your neighbor In the Rue do I.Hie , the proprietor of that royal hotel , ono of the richest nnd most noble men of Franco. Just BCD how ho enjoys our mutton stow. " It wns most true. The marquis , with nil his millions , appeared perfectly content to feed himself for the 3 francs per day , seatIng - Ing himself In a democratic fashion In com pany with middle olass men , who would not have dared to bow to him In the street. Were not these chance meetings , this social com munion , n real charity ? Ho felt all the more hungry Just that morning because ho had bathed over sixty Invalids at the pools , all of them preys to the most abominable diseases. Ho did , It was true , deny that It signified any realization of evangelical com munity , but such a condition might possibly exist , though only for three days charmlnn and bright If evanescent after such n period. Although M. do Guersnlnt had Just break fasted , ho was curious enough to taste the mutton steiv , which ho pronounced perfect. All this time Plorre noticed that the Baron Sulre , the director In chief of the society , was walking up and down between the ta bles , giving nn oversight to everything , oven as to the manner that his assistants were fed. Plerro remembered suddenly Mario's ardent , wish to pass the night nt the grotto , and ho thought that the baron might take It upon himself to give the desired 'permission. "Of course wo allow such n thing some times , " said the latter , very gravely , "but It Is always n delicate matter. You can as sure mo at least that tha young person Is not consumptive ? Well , as you say aho wants to go so very much I will speak to Father Fourcade , and nlso Inform Mme. do Jonqulcro , that she may allow you to take your friend. " Ho was nt heart a fine man , In splto ot his officious manner , that appeared overburdened es with the gravest responsibilities. Ho kindly gave the visitors every detail regarding the organization of the hospitality , about the prayers said together , and two executive councils held each day , when nil the heads of the service mot with certain priests and almoners. They recejved the communion ns often aa possible. There existed most com plicated duties and a long list of assistants to oversee In fact a whole government to keep with a firm hand. Ho spoke like aomo general , who each year gained some great victory ever the spirit ot the times ; so ho sent Berthaud off to finish his breakfast , being anxious to take the ladles himself Into the little sanded courtyard , shaded by splendid trocs. "Most Interesting , most " Interesting , re peated Mine. Dcsagncaux. "Oh , how much wo must thank you , sir , for your kindness. " "Not nt nil , not ot all , madamo. It Is I who am enchanted to have had the chance to show you my llttlo kingdom. " Gerard had not left Raymonde. M. do Guor salnt nnd Plerro were exchanging glances with an eye to getting on to the Place do Marcadal , when Mmo. Desagneaux remem bered that n friend had commissioned her to send her a bottle of the water from Lourdej. So she asked Gerard how she might obtain It. The latter smiled. "Will you once moro take me for n guide ? And If these gentlemen will also come along I will first show you the shop where the bottles tles are filled , corked , packed In boxes and then forwarded. It Is very Interesting' , " M. do Guersalnt at once consented , so the five pcoplo walked along , Mmo. Desagncaux between the architect und the priest , whllo Raymondo nnd Gerard followed. The crowd had Increased as the day wont on ; the Place do Rosalro overflowed with a vague and icllo crowd , Jllto that of some public fete day. The workshop was near there , to the loft , underneath ono of the arches. It consisted of tiI scries of very plain looking rooms. In the first ono the bottles were filled by the most ordinary method In the world. A llttlo tin barrel , painted green , pulled by ono man , that resembled greatly a , watering barrel , waa brought from the grotto full ; then from n small faucet the bottles of clear gloss were simply filled , on by one , without the person who was at work oven looking to see that none of the holy water ran over to the ground. There was qulto a small pool on the earth. There were no labels on the bottles tles ; the leaden cupaulo that covered the firm cork had merely an Inscription that Indi cated Its origin. The whole was sealed with sort of white lead , to preserve It , doubtless. The other two rooms were used for packing- regular workshops of a professional packer , /j with all the appurtenances , tools and , heaps / of shavings. There were boxes inadd es pecially for ono or two bottles , prettily made , In which the bottles were laid on finely cut papers. It all looked Just like the shops for expediting flowers at Nlco nnd candled fruits at Orange. Gerard explained all with a quiet and satisfied air. "You Hep the water certainly does como from the grotto , which places at naught many Idle tales that are circulated. There are ' no complications ; It Is qultu regular ; all - j done openly. I beg you to notice , however - ' . over , that the fathers do not Hell the water , they are accused of doing. A full bottle , bought hero. Is sold for 'M centimes , the price of n slnglo glass. Jf you send It off , naturally the packing and freight nro In ad dition , BO that It costs you 1 franc nnd 70 centimes. But nt thu spring you are allowol fill as. many Jugs or rccptaclon as you wish take away with you. " Pierre calculated that .at this rate the profit made by the fathers could not bo very great , for they could only make on the manu facture of the boxes nnd bottles which , when bought by the thousand , could not potilbly cost them more than 20 centimes apiece. But Raymondo and Mmo. Desagneaux as well M. de Guorsalnt were sadly disappointed the prosaic sight of the llttlo green barrel , sealnd whlto lead capsules and the heaps stmunKS about the workrooms. They had fancied tharo would be formalities and cere monies , certain rites when the miraculous water was put Into the bottles , with priests clothed In sacramental vestments giving at least a bloislng , whllo tha pure voices of children sang In chorus. Pierre could hot help thinking huw actlvo was the strength faith a ho Inspected all the huilneuillke arrangements for the oxpldltlon of the holy water. When , far away from Iourde * , ono these bottles wan received by some In valid all present fell on their knees. They regarded it as something sacredly precious , a few drop * wore taken In hopeful ex pectation of all Ilia being cured ; and what a contrast to the present scene. "Well , " ad | Gerard , aa they all came out , you care to * the candle shop betoi' * sfc
