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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1894)
i V5 / COPYRIGHT Pr'JiMES GOKDOM BENNETT1894 * RESUME OF LOTJRDES. Urlof Hyni > | Mift r tlin rnrllnii of / < > ! ' < > ren HtoryVhlcli Hit * Horn 1'rlntrU. KIH8T DAY. , CIIAITnn I. Thioiicnlns nc nc of "t-ounlPS , which was comment-oil In serial form In Hun- doy' lloiof April 15. In In t cnr of the "white train , " which curries the very nick p Ur mil from Part * to Jxiurdps. Amonc the pilgrims n Marie d > Ouorsilnt , n younir womnn who for y ears 1ms been beilrMJen. Hh Is aecompunled b y her father nnd the Abbo 1'lerro Kroment. CIIAITIIH II. The AtilxJ'lprr , wns ho fan of n chemist , who llveil nl Neullly. I'VJ"S | next thorn wer M , de Uucrxnlnt nnJ hl family. t'leroi pliiycil to- Mltlo Mnrlo ilc CJuerinlnl nnJ cether , nml llnnlly fell In IOVP with each other they frri-w up. Mnrle received an Injury whloh resulleil In nearly totiil paralysis. An iiho could never beoomu his wife 1'lerre bccnmo n 'aifAlTIUl ' IlI.-Tho Buffering In thj train In Intcniio when It slops at Tolrtlcrs half an hour CHAlTKn IV. AB the train BtnrtB Sophie Cou- tenu Bets In. She tells the Btory of the cure Recorded to her illseiis-cl foot liy elmply UlpplnR It In the waters at I ourdeii. . . . , , . CHAITUU V. Tlin alilw reads aloud n Imolt Clvlnff the history of liernadelte , nnd describes the eighteen limes Bhe saw the visions In the crotto. Ixiunlwi Is re.ichrd In the early morn- Ing. As the train rolls Into the slutlon an un known man dies. BIJCONn"DAY. . CKAPTKn I. A vivid picture Is Riven of the confusion when the Invalids are landed and conveyed to the hospital. CHAITKU II. The hospital Is Brently over crowded. At 8 a. in. the procession lo the Krotto Blarts. I'atlier Musenls niks thn vast conRrcKatlon to pray for a Kreat miracle , as the boily of the man who died In the train H to b Immersed In the pool In hopes that life will be restored. . . . . . , CIIAITnil III. The ablie moots his old friend , Dr. Chnm.UBne. The crowd forces the abbe to the pools. The dead man Ix brought In and Immersed No miracle occurs. On solns out the abba finds thai Marie has been b.ithed with out effect. CHAPTER IV. Dr. ChassalKnc accompanies the abbo to HIP Ilurcau of Cerllllcallon . Hllzi Ilouquct , whose face was made hideous by a lupus , declarer Ihn Bore is steadily drylnR up. la drlvolle , who luid been In Hie last stages of consumption , comes rushing In , snouting , I am CHAPTnil V. rn the evening the abbe visits Itnrle. Win Is much depressed and Is loslnc her faith. He reads to the Invalids , continuing t.io Blury of Herii'ulette , telling how perneculloni fol lowed upon llif first miracle * . The recitation cliecn them up , nnd restores Marie's faith. THIIin DAY. CHAPTnn I. Pierre discovers that Mme. Vol- mar , a devout pilgrim , has come lo Gourdes lo meet her lover. _ CHAPTUn II. Pierre nnd M. do Oucrsalnt meet lime. DesaBneaux , Mile. Rnymonde and Xf. do PeyrelonRUc , to whom Ilaymondo Is engaged. They visit places of Interesl. CHAPTnU HI , Marie IB Breally pleased by the pcrmlKilon obtained for her lo spend n night nl the srotio. Accompanied by her father and Pierre , Bhe walches Ihc magnincent torchlight I > roce ! < lon , In which thirty thousand lighted candles are carried. CIIAPTnn IV. Pierre takes Marie to the protlo and Insists on remaining Uiere with her throughoul Ihe nlghl. Ilnron Sulre , Ihc dlreelor , takes Pierre Inlo Ihe grotto and schwa him the miraculous spring. Knrly In Ihe morning a . heavy rain begins lo fall. Marie will not BO away. Hh believes she has seen the virgin. THIRD DAY. CHAPTER V. Pierre walked along , feeling a need for pure air , baring his head , that seemed heavy enough to burst as the refreshing brce > zes swept overIt. . Notwithstanding the 'fatigue of the past terrible night , he did not care to sleep , for his whole being was allvo and quivering with excitement that did not decrease. Eight o'clock struck , and as ho wandered aimlessly about In the glorious matutinal sun , the resplendent sky , without oven ono cloud , looked as It freshly washed by the Sunday storm that had also laid the dust. Suddenly he lifted his eyes , anxious to know his whereabouts , and ho was surprised to nnd how far he had gone , for he was nearly at the station , near the National hospital. Ho was hesitating which one of two roads to take when a friendly hand was laid on his shoulder. "Whore are you bound at this hour ? " It was Dr. Chassalgne , his tall frame but toned tightly In his coat , dressed entirely in black. "Aro you lost ? Do you require to be shown the way ? " "No , no , thanks , " said Pierre , anxiously. "I have just passed the night at the grotto with that young Invalid of whom I am so fond , and I feel EO completely unnerved that I am taking a walk to pull myself to'gcthcr before I go back to bed for a while at the hotel. " The doctor still looked at him , reading at a Blanco his unsettled condition and the florco struggle he was making ; his despair to bo made to believe ; the suffering of his unsuccessful effort. "Ah , my poor boy , " ho murmured. Then in a paternal man ner ; "Well , as you are taking a walk , shall wo go on together ? I was just going down on this side of the Gave. Coma along , and when wo turn you will have a view of a Masslllon horizon. " Ho walked thus alone every morning for two hours In the depth of his sorrow. Ho went first , as soon as ho was up , to kneel in the cemetery at the tomb of his wife arid daughters , that ho kept covered with flow ers all the year round. Then ho would go on further , to calm his fears and return to breakfast perfectly worn out. Plerro gave a gesture of assent. They wont down the hlllsldo sldo by sldo , with out saying a word. For a long time they were suent. That morning the doctor seemed mono than usually overcome , as though the visit to the remains of his dar lings had been more sod than aver. Ills aqulllna nose seamed more pronounced amid his white hair nnd white face , while tears were still brimming over his eyes. It was such delightful weather this lovcJy. sunny , bright morning. Now their path led them along , the right bank of the Gave , on the opposite sldo to the now town. Thn gar dens , the ramparts , the basilica could all be seen. Then the grotto cumo In sight , Just opposite , with the Illumination' of Its con tinual tapers that were now dimmed by the glare of day. Aa Dr. Chassalgne lifted his head ho made the sign of the cross. At first Pierre could not understand. Then , as ho per ceived the grotto to bo In sight , ho looked at his old friend In surprise , tind again ex perienced the wonder of the previous day to see this scientific man , an atheist and ma terialist , converted and believing by the otrolco of sorrow , that gave rise to his solo dcstro to see again In another world his much loved and deplored ones. The heart was stronger than the mind. The solitary old man existed only In the Illusion that ho would some day live In Paradise , where friends are met again , The young priest's unrest only Increased. Must ho reach old ago and endure equal suffering In order to llnally discover n refuge In religion ? And they walked along further and further - > thor from the town , by the river's bank , They were almost caressed by those clear Waters , tumbling over the stones between steep banks planted with trees. They wcro silent , walking at an oven pace along the deserted road , each onn lost In his own sad thoughts. "And Uernadettc , " suddenly de manded Pierre : "did yhu over know her ! " The doctor lifted hla head. "Rcrnudelte yeti , yea. I paw her once , at the last" For au instant he was silent. Then ho poke : "You must know that In 1S33. at the tlmo ot the apparitions , I was. 30 years aid , 1 was a young doctor nt Paris , the enemy at anything supernatural , and I never ex. jieclcil to return to my birthplace In these mountains flmply to R.CO a victim ot hallu cinations. uut five or K yean Istar. about 18(11 ( , I passed through hero , and I felt curiosity enough to pay a visit to Bcr- nudotto , who was ttlll at the hospital with the Dine Slaters ot Xervvra. " 1'lom' rowi'inbored how much ho wanted to complete Ills Inquiries about Ilcrnadetto. That , In fact , had Iteeu 0110 of Ma reasons for coming tu J < ourOe . And who could tell but Hint pardon ait'l ' gmcu might conio to him from ( lint aJorabU nnd humble girl on fUl 0 > y ulinuiJ he N convinced ot her d | . vine mission on this earth ? Perhaps It he know her better he might really feel that 8ho had been truly holy and ono of the ulect. "Tell mo about her , I beg. Tell mo every thing you know about hor. " A faint smllo.broke on thd doctor's lips. Ho understood , and longed to calm the tor * turous doubU of this priest's soul. "Most wllllngjy , my poor child. I shall ba too glad to hfllfi you to bc-llove In her. You are right to love lienuulctto. I may bo the moans of saving you , for I have thought over all these past occurrences , and I can say to day that I never met a more Innocent or de licious human creature. " Then to the measure of their steps , as they went down the lovely sunlit paths In the cxqulsito freshness of the morning , Ilia doctor related his visit to Ocrnadctto In 1S61. She was Just twenty , rind It was six years since the apparitions had boon made. He was greatly surprised by her simple and reasonable - able manner , her'perfect modesty. The sis ters ot Nervers , who had taught her to read , kept her with them in the hospital , away from the public curiosity seekers. She oc cupied herself there by helping , but was so often 111 herself that she spent whole weeks In bed. What specially struck him wcro ho beautiful eyes , as pur'o as those of a child , frank and Ingenuous. The rest of her face was spoiled by a muddy skin and heavy features , and merely to look at her she might bo Just like any other working girl , Hinall. thin and Insignificant. Her devotion was intense , but she did not appear the ec static , exalted bclnsr that she might have boon expected ; on the contrary , she showed a firm and positive spirit , without flights of fancy , and always had some work In he > hands , either knitting or embroidery. In ono word , she was most ordinary , and resembled In no way many of the women who have been accounted holy. Never again had she seen visions , and never of her own accord did she speak of the eighteen apparitions thai had so changed her life. She. had to bo questioned , and directly ; then slio would answer , and at once try to change the con versation , not liking to speak of such things. When pushed still further and asked to give an Idea of the nature of the three great secrets that had been confided to her , she would cast her eyes down and cease talk ing. It was impossible to make her contra dict herself. All the details she had once given rcmalndd exactly the same. She seemed to express them In exactly the same words , even the same tone of voice. "I talked to her a whole afternoon , " con- ttued the doctor , and she did not vary by ono syllable. It was disconcerting. I swear she did not lie. that she has never Hied and is incapable of lying. " Pierre dared to discuss. "But , doctor , do you not bcllove in a possible malady ot the will ? Is it not agreed , today , that certain persons , childishly seized by some vision , Borne hallucination , some kind of imagina tion , are unable to rid their minds of It ? Above all , when living In the midst of the surroundings where the phenomena took place ? Bernadetto was almost cloistered ; she lived so with her fixed Idea that she nat urally became saturated with It. " The doctor emlled feebly , and made a vague motion. "Ah ! you .ask mo too much , my child ! You know I anij only a poor old man , not at all proud of his science , and who does not pretend to explain anything. Yes , I know the famous example pf the clinic a young girl , who was dying of hunger at homo , In. slating that she had some serious trouble of the stomach , a.nd' who eats Just as soon aa taken elsewhere. But what do you want ? It Is only one- fact , and there are so many other contradictory facts. " For a moment they were silent. Nothing was heard save their feet treading on the path. Then the doctor continued : "It was quite true that Bornadette shunned the world and was only happy In her little , solitary corner. She never had known an Intimate friend or any special human love. She was equally gentle and kind to all , but only showed a keen affection for children. And though I must confess It , the doctor's spirit Is not wholly obliterated from my mind , and I am sometimes disturbed to know whether she , , remained as virgin-like In her thoughts as she was In her body. It Is 'possible , , because her temperament was sluggish and narrow , nearly always ill , with out taking into consideration the Innocent surroundings of her youth , first at Dartres and later in the convent. Still I felt a doubt when I heard of her keen interest In the orphSmage ; 'founded by the Sisters of Novers on this very road. Poor girls are received there and saved from the datrgers of the streets. , And might she not have had desires while taking care of her flocks ? and did she not remember that once she ran about barefooted , trembling at the thought of what she might- have become had not the Holy Virgin assisted her ? " He continued to relate how the crowds came to look at and venerate Bernadette , It was a most tiresome proceeding for her. Not a day passed without a host of visitors. They came from every quarter of France , even from foreign parts ; and those who were merely curious had to bo separated , so that only the truly faithful ones were admitted to her members of the clergy , people of note , who coujd not bo shut out with decency. A nun was always present to protect her against too great Indiscretions , for questions rained down and she was exhausted by merely the recital .of her own history. Great ladles threw themselves , on their knees , kissing her gown , anvlous to toke away a little scrap as a relic. She was forced to guard her beads , for every ono wished to buy It at any price. A marchioness , deter mined to prevail , offered her another In Its place , with a golden cross , and the beads of fine pearls. Many hoped to see her perform a miracle , nnd children were brought to her to bo touched. She was consulted about Ill ness , and her influence over the Holy Virgin was even solicited for money. Largo sums of money were offered , and royal gifts would have been brought at the least sign from her It she would have wished to become a queen , covered -with Jewels and a crown of gold. The- humble visitors knelt at the threshold of her door , the great ones of this world pressed Into her service , and would have esteemed U an honor to act as her escort. It WAS oven said that -ono of the handsomest and richest of the princes who came asked her hand in marriage ono bright April day. Plerro Interrupted : "But what has always struck mo and displeased mo was her disap pearance from Lourdes when only 22 , so suddenly , and then to be as though Im prisoned In the Convent of Saint Glldard , at Movers , from whence she never came out again. Did not that glvo some color to the reports that were foolishly circulated ? Did It not glvo rlso to the Idea that she had been taken away and securely shut up for fear of 301110 Indiscretion on her part , some guileless word that would have told the secret of the long superstition ? And to call the thing by Its true name , I bollovo mysult they spirited her away , " Dr. Chassalgno shook his head softly : "No , no , In the whole matter there novcr was any story arranged beforehand , or grand melodrama fronted In the shadow , and then played by actors more or less , aware of its purpose. The events were self-evident , from the sole cause of facts , and they have always been very complex , very dllllcult to analyze. It U certain that Bernatlotto was the first to xugge.it leaving Lourdes. * The constant visi tors wearied her , and Rho was III at case In the mittat ot this noliy adoration that came to her from afar/ She only longed for some HUla refuse , far peace , < jml disinterestedness tKamo so emphatic , tat ) | alto would throw the money , on Urn Krouml Hint was given to her In the hopotu'at ho would cauio a mats tn b ? said or a canfllso bo burned for the donors. She never accepted anything for herself or her family ; they remained poor always. With such i proud spirit , such natural simplicity , it can be easily under stood why slio wliued to disappear and llvo apart , to prepare tor a holy death. Her \rrl ; was ov r , that extrnonlliury work that f\io \ had put In motion without knowing how or why , and she was no longer really useful , for others must carry out the plans and certify the triumphs of the grotto. " "Let us admit that she did leave Lourdes ot her own accord , " said Pierre , "hut whal a comfort it was for those persons of whom you speak , who from that on wcro the sole masters of the thousand * of gold pieces that fell from the whole world. " "Certainly , I do not pretend that they wanted to detain her , " cried the doctor. "Frankly , I dare say that they urged her to go. She ended by becoming rather em barrassing , not that they feared she might make any Indiscreet revelations , but you must remember she was not beautiful , ex cessively timid , and often bedridden. So that no matter how small a place she occu pied In Lourdes , no matter how obedient she wa , she was still a great power , she attracted crowds , and that made her a rival of the grotto. In order to have the grotto alone jn 1U glcry , Bcrnandcttc had lo bd removed , for she was nothing more than the legend connected with the mysteries. These were the reasons that decided the bishop of Tarbes , Mgr. Lawrence , to hasten her departure. One could only say he was wrong to take her from the affairs of this world , as though It were paislblo that she might commit the sin of prldo by yielding to the vanities connected with the holy reputation that surrounded her. It had done her a great Injury , for she was as In capable of prldo as of lying ; there never was a more simple , modest or charming ' child. " Ho had become greatly excited , but sud denly ho became calm , and said again , with his faint smile : "It Is true , I love her. The more I think about her , the more I love her. But , Pierre , see here. You must not Judge mo as completely in abeyance to my belief.It today I form one ot the majority , If I had the need to believe In another better and most just life , I am still aware that there are men existing in this world , and no matter if they wear a coat or a soutane , their bur den is Just as hard to boar. " Silence again fell between 'them. Each one had his own thoughts , then he con tinued : "I want to tell you an Idea that has often haunted me. Suppose that Bernadette was not a simple , emphatic child ; endow her with the spirit of Intrigue and domineering , make of her a conqueror , n leader of the people and then try to imagine what would have occurred. Naturally the 'grotto would have been hers , the basilica likewise. We should have seen her enthroned at all cere monies on a dais , with a miter of gold. She would have distributed the miracles , her little hand would hive led the crowd to heaven by a sovereign's gesture. She would have shown forth , being the saint , the elect , the one who had contemplated divinity face to face. In fact , it would only have been Just ; she must needs have been a success after so much suffering , and to have re joiced greatly In her work. , But you see she was defrauded , plundered. The re markable seed she sowed others harvested. During the twelve years she lived at St. Glldard , kneeling In her shadowy corner , vlctorlea were being won here , priests In their golden habits chanting deeds of grace , blessing churches and monuments built by the money of thousands. She alone lacked the triumph of the new faith she had created. You say she dreamed it all ! Ah , what a splendid dream thus to shake the whole world , and a dream from which she , the dear creature , never awoke. " Just here they stopped and sat down for an Instant on a rock on the side of the road before turning back to the , town. In front of them the Gave , very deep at this part , gilded its blue waters mirrored over with dark reflections , while a little further on It ran in a .shallow bed of pebbles , scarcely deeper than the froth , like white moss , 'as light as snow. A fresh breeze came from the mountains , and tho. sun motes danced overhead. In all this story 'of * Bornadetto Pierre found nothing but a new cause of rebellion. Listening to the details , so many of which had hitherto been suppressed , he fixed his eyes on the ground and i ruminated upon the unjust * laws of naturethat , allowed the strong to devour the weak. Then , raising his head : "And the Abbe Peyramale , did you know him , top ? " . ' The doctor's 'eyes glistened , and he said , quickly : "Yes , indeed ; he was a good and strong man. A saint , an apostle ! With Bernadette , he wa the great founder of Our Lady of Lourdes. Llko her , he suffered terribly In the cause and died for It. No one knows- nor understands the tragedy that was played hero unless they know-all about his story. " Ho then proceeded to glvo at length the tale. Abbo Peyramale was the vicar at Lourdes at the time ot the apparitions. He was a largo man , with broad shoulders , a leonine head , a child of the country , with quick wits , very honest , very good , but fometlmes rather dominating and severe. He seemed created for action , despising all levity of devotion , yet fulfilling his ministry In a broad way. At first ho hesitated , un willing to believe the tales about Bernadotte , until ho questioned her and demanded the proofs. And It was only later , when the whirlwind of faith became Irresistible , over throwing the most tenaclcu ? , carrying all before It , that he gave In , and he was actually conquered by his love for the poor and oppressed , for on the day that ho feared Bernadette to bo In danger of going to prison , as she had all the civil authorities against her , one of his fleck was being menaced , nnd his pastoral heart was wakened so that he defended her with all the ardor of passion nnd authority. Later the child's charm affected him ; ho felt , her to be so Ingenuous , so truthful , that he ended by be lieving blindly In her and loving her ns the rest of the world loved her. Why hide the miracle , since It is written in all the holy books ? Surely a minister of the gospel should not do so , no matter how prudent he might be , for his duty was to form strong bonds when entire populations' ' were on their knees and the church seemed to be on thb edge of a new and great triumph. In addition , the spirit of leadership that was In him , the guide of crowds , the power of the builder , had .finally found their vocations , the vast field In which , they might work , the gi"eat oauso by which ho might give himself wholly with all his fury and his need for victory. From that moment the Abbe Peyramalo hail but a single .thought to carry out the orders that the virgin had transmitted to him through Bernadetto , Ho oversaw the arrangement ot the grotto , placed n grating , the water was carried in plpei from the spring and terraces were thrown up to pre vent an overflow. But the Vlrgjn had de manded above all things to construct a chapel , nnd he wished It to bo a church , a triumphant basilica. He looked far ahead , hurrying the architects and requiring plans worthy of the queen of heaven , confident of the enthusiastic aid of all Christendom. Gifts soon poured In from the most distant dioceses. a flow of gold that Increaicd and never stopped. Those were Indeed happy years. Ho was to bo found at all times among his workmen , whom ho spurred on with hU cordial smiles , always ready him self to take a pickax or trowel In his de- slro to hasten the realization of his dream. But the season of trials was at Imiul. He fell 111 , and was In great danger ot dying on April ) , 18GI. just as the first procession started from his parish church to go to the grotto , a proccsilon of CO.OOO pilgrims , who walked amid an immense gathering. The day on which Abbe Peyramalo , saved for the first tlmo from death , returned to hln work ho found himself dispossessed. Ho had already asked the bishop , Mgr. Laurence , to give htm some assistance In hU arduoui task , and one of his former secretaries. Father Sempe , had been assigned to him. Ha had been iiiadfi the director of the mis sionaries of Garalson , u community founded by himself. Father Sempe was a small , thin , cute man , of a moit disinterested man ner , very humble , but In reality burning with the Insatiate thlrnt of ambition , In the beginning ho remained lit his place , serving the vicar of Lounles most faith fully , looking out for his comfort , making ing- himself useful everywhere , anxious to become Indispensable. Ho at once took tn the future ripe plum that the grotto was bound to become and what a colossal In come might bu drawn from It with a small amount ot cleverness. Hu remained at the palace nnd Ingratiated himself with the bishop , a , coM , prastica ! man , who wa al ways In great need for charitable offerings Thus It was that when the Abbo Poyramale fell 111 ho was able to separata from the parish ot Lourdes the entire1 domain of the grotto , of which he wns put In charge at the head of several fathers of the Im maculate Conception , over whom ho wai named the superior by the bishop. The struggle soon commenced , ono of those sullen fights , bloodthirsty , mortal , such a ; can exist under ecclesiastical discipline. The cause for the break was there and the U.it- tlo field upon which the fight was to be made for tha millions of money , In the shape of a now parish church , larger and more worthy than the old one , whoso Insuf ficient size wns plainly acknowledged by the affluence of the faithful. llcsldcs It was ni : old idea of the Abbo Poyramalo , who wlslie : to bo the exact executor of the Virgin's or ders. She had laid , when speaking ot the grotto ! "They ivjll come hither In pro cessions , " ami h j.'lad ( always seen the pil grims starting liun/ocesslon from the town , to which they rouirncd again at night , just as It had been from , the very first. A cen ter was thereforojjieeded , n rallying point , and ho dreamed pf , a magnificent church , n cathedral with pjganllc proportions that could contain an ' , qullro nation. With his executive temperament ho enlisted workmen of the heavens , he already saw the founda tion laid , the towargj.belng raised against the sun's shadows , wli ( { , their ringing bells. It wns his own dwelling that he longed to build his act offaith , and adoration , the temple In which hvwould bo the high priest , where ho would , p\rumph | ) with the tender memories of Bernadette as against the work from which hejiad been dispossessed. Naturally , In his great bitterness , this now parish church was In a measure his re venge , his glorification , a means of enforcing his military activity , the fever that con sumed him , for ever since they had so wounded his spirit he had ceased to go down to the grotto. At first there was a flare of enthusiasm , nnd many In the old part of the town who felt put out on one side made common cause with their vicar , under the danger of seeing all the money , all the Interest depart to the now town that was growing like n reed round about tha basilica. The municipal council voted a sum of 100,000 francs , which , unfortunately , wns only to bo' paid when the church was roofed over. Abbo Peyramalo had already accepted the archi tect's plans , a most tremendous project , un dertaken by a contractor from Chnrt.res , who promised to complete the church In three or four years , provided the payments wcro made regularly. The gifts would , of course , continue to come from all over the world , so the abbe regarded himself In this mighty affair without fear , filled with , a courageous faith and believing that heaven would not glvo him up as he progressed. Ifd even counted on the influence of the now bishop , Mgr. Jouraln , who , after blessing the first stone , pronounced a touching address , In which he acknowledged the necessity and merit of the new enterprise. It almost seemed as though Father Sempe , In his ordi nary humility , must bow and accept this disas trous aid that would oblige him to divide , for he affected to care only about the affairs at the grotlo , and had even an alms box placed In the basilica for the collection of money to benefit the new parish church then In process of construction. Once more the hidden struggle commenced. Abbe Peyramalo , who was a wretched finan cier , rejoiced greatly to see his church grow- rapidly. The work was carried on well , and he asked for nothing more , fully convinced that the Holy Virgin would pay for It some day. It was therefore a fearful shock when he finally discovered that money was slow In coming , that the gifts of the faithful no longer reached him , and it seemed as if some hidden hand had turned away the revenues. And the day came when ho was unable to make the promised payments. It was all a deep laid plan , of which ho only know later. Once more Father Sempe had drawn the favor of the bishop exclusively toward the grotto. Confidential circulars to all the dioceses were even spoken of , so that no more money should be sent direct to the parish. The voracious , Insatiable grotto devoured all , desired all , and things were brought to that point that when bank notes for 500 francs wcro placed In the alms box of the Basilica they were kept. The box was rifled , the parish robbed. The vicar In lils Interest for the , growing church that was like' a daughter 'to him re sisted with violence ; he would gladly have given his life. He had made his agreements In the name of the parish ; now he took them personally upon hlnfsolf. He only lived to work there ; his llfe''was worn out tn heroic efforts. Of 400,0)0franc3 | ) promised he had been able to glve'TJtft 200,000 francs , and the municipal council Would not consent to give their 100,000 franj jintll they had seen the church under coye-r It would be greatly against the Interests of the town. It was said that Father' , Sempe worked secretly with the contractors. At all events he triumphed , for suddenly the work was stopped on the parti church. From thence lti [ wns a long agony. The vicar , the mountain , born man with broad shoulders , leonine , face , was heart broken , shivered and fell like , some stricken oak. Ho took to his bed and never got up again. Stories were told and-lt was said that Father Sempe attempted to1 see the vicar under some pious pretext to really find out if his re doubtable adversary were actually wounded to death , and It was added that ho was forced to fly from the sorrowful chamber , where his presence was a scandal. Then , when the vicar was dead killed by bitterness and quelled in spirit Father Sempo might have been seen In 'triumph at the obsequies , from which no one dared to keep him. It was even said that he boasted of his abominable pleasure , and his face beamed with his triumph. At all events the only man who had been In his way had been removed whose legal authority ho had over really feared ! Now ho would no longer be forced to divide , now that the two Instigators of Our Lady of Lourdes had been suppressed. Dernadetto In the convent , Peyramale under ground ! The grotto belonged only to him all the donations would come to him alone , and ho would use according to his own de sires the sum of 800,000 francs that were dis posed of each year , Hu would finish the gigantic undertakings that would make the IJasIllca a whole world to himself , and he would aid the glory of tlio new town by di viding It still more from thn ancient one would relegate It behind Its rock as It were , In a closed parish , completely swamped in the glories of Its all-powerful now neighbor. It was n definite royalty all the money and all the power ! The new parish church , although the work had been stopped , was , however , moro than half finished beneath Us covering of boards , and the arches of the lower part were con structed. It stood there In a sort of n men aclng way , for some day It might bo finished. It must bo entirely undone nnd made an Ir reparable ruin ; so the U w work continued , a marvel ot cruelty , of Ilgorlng destruction From the tlrst the new curate , n simple creature , was conquered to that degree that ho did not oven unfasten the gifts of money addressed to the parish. All such letters were taken directly to the fathers. Then the position of the new church was criti cised , and a report was made by the diocesan cesan architect that set forth the old church as being qulto strong and sufficiently ampin for the needs of religion. Hut. above all , the financial difficulties with the contractor were Impressed upon the bishop. TliU man Peyramalo was represented to have been ft violent , obstinate kind of a lunatic whose undisciplined zeal had nearly compromised the dignity of the church , And the bishop , forgetting that ho had himself blessed thu flrit-stone , wrote n letter , plac ing tha church under a ban , forbidding any religious service to be held In It , which was the culminating blow. Interminable law suits began. The contractors , who had only received 200,000. francs on ncount of over 000,000 francs already spent on the building , attached the heirs of the vicar , the vestry and thq town , The latter still refused to pay the ; 100,000 francs they had stolen. At tlrst _ the prefect' * council de clared Itself to bajncompelent , then when the council of stvfo- returned the papers , sentencing the town to give the 100,000 francs and the heirs tn finish the church , thus putting tho' TO a try out of the case , there was an appeal1 made to thn council ot state that caused n stay , and this time , In giving Judgmentjypvcstry ! ; wns condemned , or , In Its default , * < m ! heirs must settle with .ho contractor. .KfJ"161" " 10 ollu nor ( ho other was 8olve.ti\L' \ { o the matter rested there. These Bulls lasted twenty years. The town resigned melt to pay Its 100,000 Francs , so the contractor claimed now but 200,000 francs more. Hut all thu expenses , accumulated Interested , had IncreaRed the sum to such a state that now It amounted up to 600,000 franc ) , and as 440,000 franca was the amount necessary to finish the church , It was a whole million that was now required to s.ivo Ihe younpc ruin fron certain ' destruction. From that day the fathers of the grotto were able to sleep It peace. They had murdered the church niu It wan Irrevocably dead. The bells from the Basilica rang merrily , Father Scmpo reigned victoriously at the end of this glgantlo struggle , this war tc the knife , In which stones as well as men had been slaughtered In the dlscrccl shadows of the sacristy. The people of the old town ot Lourdcs , stupid and unintelligent , bore the brunt ol not having supported their own vicar , whc had died for love of Ills parish , and from that tlmo on the new part ot the town flourished and Increased at the expense ol the old town of LoUrdc1 ; * All the money went ta the former. The fathers of the grotto coined money , managed the ruins and candle shops , sold the water from the spring , although by a formal clause In their con tract with the town they were forbidden tc undertake any commercial business. The entire country was permeated. The triumph of the grotto had Introduced such a love for filthy lucre , such n fever to pos sess and enjoy , that under till1 rain of the millions of francs , an extraordinary perver sion Increased day by day , changing the Bethlehem of Bernadetto to a very Sodom and Gomorrah. Father Sempe had assured the victory of God only by moans of human abominations ami the destruction ot souls. Enormous constructions were put up all abouf. Flvo or six million * had already been spent. Everything had been sacrificed to the absolute wish to keep the parish on one sldo. In order to , hold the prey for themselves - solves alone. Those hugo ramparts , so ex pensive'nml costly , were built only to elude the vdw of the Virgin , who asked that pro cessions thould come to the grotto. It surely was not a real procession , to go to the Basilica by the left rampart only to march up again on the right hand one. It was merely going round n circle. But the fathers had succeeded that everything should emanate from them , so that they were the sole proprietors , the wealthy farmers who gleaned all'the harvest. The curate Pey- .ratnale was burled In the crypt of hU church , unfinished and In ruins as It was. Bernadette has long since passed away In the convent , where she , too , slept by this tlmo under ono of the chapel flagstones. When Dr. Clmssalgno had finished this long tale a great . 'Hence fell on the two men. Then , rising painfully , he said : "My dear child. It Is nearly 10 o'clock , and I want you to lake some rest. Let us go back. " Plcrro followed him without a word. They walked toward the town rather quickly. "Yes , " continued the doctor , "thero have boon great sins and great sorrows experi enced here. But what can you expect ? Man always spoils his own best work. And you can scarcely Imagine the awful sadrcss ot all that I have just told you. One must see it must touch It. so to speak. Do you care to visit the unfinished church and Berna- detto's room this morning ? " "Certainly ; most willingly. " "Very well. After the procession of the fourth hour 1 will meet you In front of the Basilica and you can come with me. " They spoke no more. Each ono was lost In his own reveries. To the right the Gave now ran through a deep gorge , a kind of notcli in which it was engulfed and almost lost to sight among the shrubery. Here and there , however , might. ' be seen a clear sparkle , like unpolished silver. Then taking a sudden turn the river spread out across the plains , rushing In quick sheets that must often have changed their course , for the sand and pebbles were marked everywhere. The sun was beginning to bo Intense , already high in the vast sky , whoso limpid blue made a circle from one side to the other of the range of hills. Just at this turn of the road Lourdes reap peared in the distance before the eyes ot Pierre and Dr. Chassalgne. On that lovely morning the little town looked like a while dot on the horizon , through the sunbeams of purple and gold , it ? houses and monuments becoming more distinct at every step. With out speaking the doctor pointed out this growing town to his companion , as though to prove the truth of all ho had just said. It was the living example , shown forth in all the brilliancy of day. The glitter from the grotto could bo seen plainly , though somewhat feeble , through the branches. .Then the great buildings stretched themselves along the stone , quay , the whole length of the Gare , whose course had been turned , ' the' new bridge that Joined the new gardens to the recently opened boulevard , and the colossal rampants , the massive church of the Ilosary , the whole culminating In the spire of the Basilica proud and grace ful. All about them only the new town waste to be seen , that at this distance looked like a swarm of white facades , a reflection like new porcelain slates. The big convents , large hotels , the prosperous town that had grown llko a miracle from the poor soil of the ancient city , while behind the mass of rocks and the crumbling walls ot the chateau , confused and ruined were the huniblo roofs of the old town , a heap of little houses eaten by age , crowded fearfully , ono against the other. As a background to these pro ductions of the life of the past and the lire of the present , under the light of the glorious sun , rose the small and the great Gers , barr ing the horizon with their naked flanks , that ho rays of the sun turned to yellow and to rose color. Dr. Chassatgne Insisted on accompanying Pierre to the Hotel des Apparitions , and when ho' left him there reminded him of the appointment they had made together for that evening. It was not yet 11 o'clock , and Pierre , who felt suddenly qulto overcome by his fatigue , forced himself to cat something before going to bed , for ho know he must require food' Fortunately he found nn empty place at the table ct'hoto. where ho ate half asleep , his eyes open , but scarcely knowing what was put before him ; then ho went up stairs and throw himself on his bed , having Just strength enough left to tell the maid to call him nt 3 o'clock. Once lying down , ho found that the ex citement under which he was living pre vented him from closing his eyes. A pair of gloves , that had been forgotten In the next room , brought back M. de Guersalnt to his mind , and he remembered he must have started that mor'nlng early for Gavarlne , and would bo back that night. What a happy gift , to bo thus without care ! He felt almost too sad to live , his limbs weary with fatigue , lila spirit cast down. Uvorythlng seemed to turn on his own dcslro to renew the faith of his childhood. The traglo his tory pf Abba Poyramalo had aggravated the feeling of rebellion already oatibod by that of Ucrnadotle , the martyr nnd elect ono. That truth ho had conio to find at Lourdes , In plneo of giving him relief , was It to bo changed nnd developed Into a greater hatred for Ignorance and credulity , to the bitter certainty that man alone exists In tills uorlil with his own mind ? Ho finally fell asleep. But fancies con tinued to float through his uneasy slumber. Lourdes ruined by money , become a place of abomination and perdition , transformed into an Immense bazaar where everything was on sale , masses nnd souls alive. Then It was the Abbe Peyramalo dead and lying in the midst of the ruins of his church , among the thistles sown by Ingratitude. And lie only became calm and rested with some degree - gree of comfort when a final vision , palo and piteous , was completely obliterated , the vision of Bernadotto nt Novors , kneeling In her gloomy corner , dreaming of the work far away from her that she was never to SCO. FOURTH DAY-Chapter I. In the Hospital ot Our Lady of Sorrows Marie hud that morning remained sitting Up In her bed , her back ( .upported by pil lows. As she had passed the whole preced ing night at thu grotto oho did not wUh to return there , ami as Mine , do Jonquiero ap preached to pick up ono of the pIllowH that had slipped down she asked her : "What day Is this , madame ? " "Monday , my dear child.1 ' "Oh , yes ; ono scarcely keeps a count of time , do they ? But I am so happy , for I shall bo cured today by the Holy Virgin. " Shi ) smiled divinely , llko r. person still In n reverie , her eyes looking far away , absent and so completely absorbed In her fixed Idea that she could only HCO In the distance the certain result of her hope. The ward ot Ht. Ilonorlne was qulto empty all around her , the Invalids having gene to the grotto , with the exception of Mino. Vetu , who was In the next bed , suffering agony. But Marie did not even notice her ; the sudden peace that had fallen soothed her. Ono of the windows dews that looked on tha court yard had boon opened , and the radiant morning sun iioured In , dancing IU beams on her sheets nnd warming her palo hands. Itvas such a hangti to have the mournful nights nnd Hlgns of the night , the groans ot tlio dream- on , thu nuffcrlng cries from tlio cots , the crowd of dirty InvalUki all driven gut thus by the fresh murnlng brceio that entered with DUC-II a soft and iltont air "Why not , try to lcep a while ? " mild Mine , tie JonquUre , In her maternal manner. "You must bo exhausted nftcr sitting up the whole night. " Mnrle seemed surprised , for her light heart and bravo spirit made her forget her pains. "But I am not nt all fatigued nor sleepy. Try to sleep ! Oh , It would bo too awful not to bo nhle to remnmber all the tlmo that 1 am going to bo cured ! " The directress laughed nt this. "Then why did joti not go lo the grotto ? \ou will bo sadly bored all alone In this bed , " "I am not alone , inadame. 1 am with her. " She clasped her hands In her ecstacy , as though to conjure up the vision. , . "You know that list night 1 saw Ircr qulto plainly bow her head and smile. I undo- stood. 1 heard her voice distinctly , though she did not open her lips. At 4 o'clock when the holy sacrament Is carried past , 1 shall bo cured. " Mine , do Jonqulere , fearing that this kind of excitement and spocles of BOinnambulIsm might harm her , tried to calm the Invalid. But she repeated : "No , no , I am not worse. I nm waiting. Only you can undcstand , madaine , that I do not need lo go to th grotto this morning , as the rendezvous she has given me Is atI o'clock. " And then she added In n lower volco : "Plcrro Is coming to fetch mo nt half-past 3. By 4 o'clock 1 shall bo cured. ! " The sun was slowly" creeping up her naked transparent arms , so dellcnto and frail , while her beautiful blond hair , fallen on her shoul ders , seemed llko a shimmering from the mighty orb that thus enveloped her. The song of n little bird In the courtyard made n note of brightness throughout the ward. Some unseen children must have been playIng - Ing nearby , for Joyous laughter was fre quently heard , coming In on the sultry air with a delicious disturbance. "Very well , then , " concluded Mine , do Jonquiero , "do not try to sleep , but keep qulto still and that will rest you. " In the next bed Mine. Votu lay dying. They had not dared lo take her to the grotto , fearing Bhe might pass away on the road. For the past few moments her eyes had been closed and Sister Hynclnthe , who was watch ing , beckoned to Mme. Dssagneaux to con vey her apprehensions. They both leaned over the dying woman and gazed upon her with growing solicitude. Her face was now as yellow ns mud , the eyes sunken , her lips drawn , but above all the rattle had recom menced In a slow and pestilential breath , irolsonod by tlio cancer that was devouring her stomach. Suddenly she opened her eye lids and was alarmed at seeing the two faces bent over so close to her own. Was death then so near taht they were thus gazing at her ? A fearful sadness filled her eyes , a de spalrlng wish to live. It did not amount tea a violent outburst , for she had not strength enough left to make a scene ; "but what a miserable fate , to have left her shop , her dally llfo , her husband , to die so far away' To have endured the horrible sufferings of such a Journey , to have prayed all flay , all night , not to bo answered , and only to die when others were being cured ! She could not help murmuring , "Oh ! how I suffer ! Oh ! how I suffer ! I beseech you , do something at least give me some thing tha * I may suffer less ! " Little Mme. Desagneaux , with her milk white skin , framed In the clustering curls of her blonde hair , was quite overcome. She was unaccustomed to seeing disagreeable things , and would gladly have given half her heart , as she expressed It , lo save the life of this poor woman. She gel up and took Sister Hyaclnthe aside , who , too , wub in tears , but mere resigned by thinking of the blessing of so holy a death. But was there really nothing to be done ? Might they not try something so long ns the dying woman asked them. That very morning , two hours earlier , Abbe Judalne had come to help her by administering the communion She had received heaven's assistance. That was the onlv aid on which she could count , since for n long while she had received none from mankind. "No , no ; we must betir ourselves ! " cried Mme. Desagneaux. She wont lo find Mme. do Jonqulere , who was at Marie's bedside. "Do you hear Hint wretched woman suffer , madam ? Sister Hyaclntho thinks she will not last more than a few hours , but wo can not let her grcan thus and not give her something to quiet her. That young doctor is here. Why not ask , hln to come ? " "Certainly , " fXred the dlreclrcss. "Gel him at once. " The doctor was seldom thought of In the wards. It was only nt such moments of dire extremity that the ladles remembered there was some one near to help the suffering of the Invalids. Sister Hyaclnthe herself was surprised that she had forgotlen all about Dr. Ferrand , whom she knew was In the next room , so ilio asked , "Shall I go and fetch Dr. Ferrand , madam ? " "Of course , and bring him In quickly. " When the sister had gone Mine , de Jon quiero got Mine. Desagneaux to assist her to raise the dying woman's head , thinking It might help her. These two ladles were quite alone this morning , a all the other members of the hospitality had gene cither lo lee ! : about or to their devotions. At the end of the empty ward. In the midst of 1U peace , where the warm nun was shining , might still be hoard at intervals the merry augh of a child that could not be seen. "Is that Sophie making such a noise ? " the illrectress said sternly , somewhat unnerved by the approaching disaster she could fore see. She walked quickly to the end of the ward nnd found that it was Sophie Conteau , the little miraculously cured Irl of the pre ceding year , who was sitting on the floor be hind a bed and who. In splto of being 14 years old , was amusing herself with a doll made of old rags. She was lalklng lo It and was so happy , so lost In her occupation , that she laughed aloud. "Stand up straight , miss. Let us see you dance the polka now. One , two , now turn , round and kiss the ono you love best. " Here Mme. de Jonquiero Interrupted. "My dear little girl , ono of our very sickest pa tients , who is suffering terribly. Is near hole. You must not laugh so loud. " "Oh , madame , I did not know. " She stood up , holding the doll In her hand , her manner already very serious. "Is she going to dlo. madame ? " "I fear so , my child. " Sophlo no longer laughed. She followed the directress and sat down on a bed near by , looking nt Mmo. Vetu with her great eyes wldo opened , with great curiosity , yet with no expression of fear. Mme. Dcbag- because the neaux was nervously Impatient doctor did not come , while Marie seemed to bo In suflh n state ot ecstacy , lying In her sun bath , that she w.is fur away in spirit from all that pasied about her , waiting for the mlruclo to be performed on herself. Sister Hyaclnthe had not found Ferrand In the llltlo room , where he usually s.it. near the linen room , and she had to look nil over the house for him. The young doctor hail effaced himself more nnd more during the past two days , finding his aid was rarely re quired In thh extraordinary hospital. Lven the little box of drugs he had brought had not been used ; for any treatment of a disease was not to bo thought of hero , since the pa tients had not conio to bo cared for , but to bo cured by some prodigious means ; and not oven his opium pills had boon called for to lull the most Intense pains ot the sufferers. Ho hud been bored by making a tour of In spection with Dr. Bonamy. but It was merely a walk through the wards with a man who came to look , not to Interest hlmsnlf with the Invalids , whom ho neither questioned nor examined , Ilo only occupied himself con- cernlng pretended cures , and stopped In front recognized as ImV- of those women that he IIIK seen ut his ofllco , where the euros were verified. Ono ot thorn had thrc dljoanps. and up to now the Holy Virgin had deigned to euro but ono , but thsy had great hopes for. the other two. Sometimes a. wretched woman , who had been curinl the provloud day , upon being questioned as to her condition , replied that her ni-hos had re turned , but Hint did not disconcert thu doc tor at nil , for ho always explained thul what heaven had begun heaven would surely terminate. If thuro was but Iho beginning of bettor health , was U not a gain ? Ho his habitual phrase was rcpe.Ufd "This Is the beginning ; bo patient. " What liu really enjoyed the moat wcro the ohse- qtilous manner ! ) ot the * hospital ladles , who all wished to show him the most extraor dinary cavci. ICacli had her personal van ity to gratlly and to cnumvrato among thof ) under her charge the greatest Ulni'sius , tha moil invlul and exceptional cas a ; and e.u'Ii was deulrous to have them : orlflcil ! , Ith thu consc-qupiit triumph to horxelf , Thl.i ono pulled his nrm , naylng shu was ccrt.iln the had ix cauo of leprosy ; that nua besought - sought nnd told about a young girl W'MVI loins were covered with fWi-scalea , while . third whlsporcd In his car moat horrlbla dr- talli about a iiarr'cd woman llvlnc In the bout nor-t'-ty , Ho p-iiaprd \ < y rofiuliiK to look ot n Hinglu one , then promlKcd D r - ' .Un\ Inter , ivben he had time. Aa lii kald , If ho listened to nil these ladles the enUro day would bo passH In giving iinnccessary- advlco. But suddenly ho stopped In front or A miraculously cured woman , beckoned to l < errand and said " : "Ah ! Hero Is nu interesting ouro. " Poor Fcrrand. In despair - pair , was obliged to listen to all the symp toms of the disease that had completely dl appeared upon the tlrst limnenlon In the pool. pool.Sister Sister llynclnthp met Abbo Jmlalno nt flat , who told her the young doctor had Just been called down to the family ward. It Mas the fourth tlmo IIP had boon sent for to neip the unceasing tortures of llrother Isi dore , no could only administer opium. In iiw martyrdom the poor brother asked only o be quieted n llltlo. that ho might bo able to gain strdngth enough to go that nflor- iiooii to the grotto , ns ha haif been tinnblo to got there In the morning. Ills suffer ings increased , howuver , and ho lost con sciousness. As the sister entered she found the doctor sitting besldo the mission ary s cot , "M. Forraml , conio up atnlrs quickly with fin * lo the ward of St. Honorlno , where wo have n patient about to dlo. " Ilo smiled at her , for ho never mot her will-out feeling cheered nnd comforted. I will come with you , Sister. But In one moment. I want lo revive this poor man. " bho waited patiently nnd made herself ot use. The family ward , 911 the ground floor , was also flooded with sunshlno nnd filled with pure air from the thrco largo windows that opened on a small garden. M , Sa- balhler had alone remained with Brother Isidore to rest n little , while Mme , Sft- tmthlor look advantage of the Oceanian lo nmko some purchases some medals nnd ro saries Intended for presents. Seated happily n his chnlr , his back against some cushions , ho was slipping the beads of n rosary be tween his fingers , but ho was not praying , but continued by n sort of mechanical dis- tractlon , his eyes fixed upon his neighbors , whoso sad state Interested him greatly. "Oh. Sister , " ho said to Sister Hyaclnlho. who had come over to him , "that poor man ; he nils mo with admiration. Yesterday for a moment I doubted the Holy Virgin , ns she did not deign to hear me , although I have conio hero for seven years , and the example of that martyr , so resigned In his suffering , made mo ashamed of my lack of faith. You cannot conceive how ho suffers , and to seem ftnt of Ul ° KroHo , his eyes burning m with sublime hope ! It Is truly beautiful. I remember a picture by an unknown Italian master at the Louvre , In which there Is n m ° J'k s head spiritualized by a similar faith. " The Intellectual sldo of his nature reap peared , the old university man who formerly lived by literature and art. and In splto of his ruined mind that longed to become as a beggar , to live In a hospital and humble himself to appease the fury of heaven. Ho came back to his past thoughts , the wishes that seven Ineffectual trips to Lourdes had been unable to nullify. "At any rate , I allll have this afternoon , as wo only start tomorrow. The water la very cold , but I shall bo dipped Just once more , and 1 have been praying all the mornIng - Ing to be pardoned for my rebellious thoughts of yesterday , it only lakes the Holy Virgin a second when she wishes to cure one of her children , does It not , Slater ? Her will bo done , her name bo blessed. " Ilo recommenced saying over his avcs and paters , slipping the beads moro and more slowly through his lingers , while his eyelids half closed ami a childish expression pervaded his vapid face that had been shut out from the world for so many years. I'orrand had signed to Martha , Brother Isidore's slater. she was at Iho foot ot the bed , her arms akimbo , gazing at the ( lying man whom she adored , without ona tear In her girlish resignation , her narrow minded view. she was llko some devoted dog. She had followed her brother , spend- ng her lltlle nil. thinking of nothing save to spare his sufferings. When the doctor f ° ! d ' ' " to Me the Invalid In her arms to lit him , she was qulto content to at last bo of some use. Her sad , heavy face , spotted with pimples , brlghlenod : . , " " 0.Ia , 'lm ' ! U1) wlllle J tfy to Bet him to take this. She lifted him , and by means of a small spoon I'errand was able to pour a few drops of cordial between the clenched teeth. Al most Instantly the ' patient opened his eyes , and sighed deeply. He was moro cilm. The opium was taking effect and soothed the pain In his right hip , , that was like n hot ron. But he was so feeble that when ho tned to speak ono had to place one's oar at his mouth to hear. Ho made a slight ces , * ' turo to Ferrand to bend over : "sir you are the doctor , are you not ? Qlvo mo something to enable mo to go to the grotto this afternoon. I am sure If I can get there the Holy Virgin will euro me. " ' ' "Of course you shall go , " answered the youns man. "Da you not fool better already ? " "Oh. much better. No , I know very well what is the matter with mo , for I have scon many of our order dlo oul there in Senegal , riio liver Is Inched and the accesses plerco through to the outside. All is over. Cold ' sweats are followed by fuvr delirium , but If the Holy Virgin amply touches the dis ease with her lltlle finger it will bo cured. I beseech you all Ihat I am taken to the ' ° Ven " l am Ullconsclou3 at the time" Sister Hyaclnthe had also Joined the group that was leaning over him. "Do not fear , brother , you shall go to the grotto after breakfast , and we will all pray for you. " At last she was able to take Ferrand off being now in dcHpnlr over these delays and most anxious to return to Mmn. Velu. Still the monk's fate appealed to her , nnd as Ihey went up the stairs she asked the doctor If there really was no hope , The latter made n gesture expressive of condemnation. It wna madness to have como to Lourdes In such a condition. Ho recovered himself with a smile , "I beg your pardon , sister , you know I am unfortunate enough not to bo a believer. " She Hinlled In turn Indulgently , m a friend who tolerates the Imperfections of be loved nncs. "Oh , that Is no matter. I know you , and what a good bert you milly nro. And , bo- sldcs , wu see BO many people , nml nro sent to care for such heathen that wo should have lilenty to do were wo to bo scandalized by It Up In the ward of St. Hnnorlno they found Mine. Votu still groaning , suffering Intoler- nblo tortures. Mmo. do Jonqulere and Mmo. De&agncaux were near the bed , paid and quite upset nt hearing thn cry of death that * lid not cease. When they had questioned [ 'errand , whose reply was merely to shrug his shouldprs. they knew the woman was loomed. Hint It was a matter only of hour.i , lerhaps minutes. All they could do was to glvo her komothlng to stupefy , to make the coming agony easier for her to bear. She looked at him , for nho WHS still conscious and very docile , willing tn take any msdlclno they offered. Llko all the others , her ono longing was to return to the grotto. She battled In u childish voice that feara It may nut bo heard : "To the grotto ! Will you not take mo to the grotto ? " "They will tnko you there presently. I promise you. " said Sister Hyaulnthe , "but you musi bo good. Try to bleep n lltllo to jaln Home slrenglh. " The Invalid appeared relieved , and Mmo. loiiqularo thought It safe to take Mme. Desagnenut to the other end of the word , where they counted seine linen , nil of which .van . not to bo found , as xome tnwols hod dlx- tppcared. Sophie , sitting on the bed oppo- < lto , hud not moved. She had placed her loll on her Icnci'.i , waiting for thti lady to lie , us they Imil told her she was ut ileath'n loor. Sister Hyaclnlho remained near the dying voman , nml , not wishing to losu time , aim lad brought out a needle nnd thread to nend Iho hudluft of onn of the patients that vas \\orn nut In tim sir-even. " You will stop u while with us ? " shn usk'd . "errand. The latter continued tn e.xamlno Mmo. I'etu. "Yes , yes ; cut may bo taken at any mu- nent. I fear a hemorrhage , " Then , as ha perceived Mnrlo In the nuxt > rd , he lowered hlx voice. "Ilow Is tlioT Is Khi ! at .ill Improved ? " "No , not yut. Ah , dear ohlldl Wn are ill making very Mniyre prayers In bur lie- lalf. So young , no charming und so altllcted. / > ok nt her JUKI now. In hct not pretty ? , lkn a alnt In this MinllKht , with her /reut / ; iCHtatlc cyea and gulden hair that looks Ilka .11 aurnoln around l T head , " Fcrr.ind , greatly Intcrcttod , : ilfhed her or a moment. She t > urprbd him by her ab out nlr , her uncnnicli > uxnaii of all that wjs laming , her ardvn' . faith nnd nrdent joy hat filled her /oul , Mioni out through her fh"lo being. "She will be cured , " he inur- mired , an thrugh hit tM-ri ntUrliiK rogntnttentlon "Stor will bo cured " Ilo then wnk < m > r fo where FiUtor inthe had seat-Mi luM-lf tn lh" tmV t tin high window , ib t * a * viMo t > n if
