MWHiHflMi
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ? SUNDAY , JULY 1 , 1891.
( DPTCIGHT EOWES CORDON BEHNETT1894 *
OF LOURDES.
tlrl f Hynnjifilii of tin- Portion of 7olo' < Jro.it
Hlory Wlilrh HIM Ilncn rnbllnhnl.
rillST DAY.
rilAlTI'll I. Tlio o-x'UlnK neon" of "Jxmnlf * , "
* hlcli was cnminoni'nl In nerliil fcirni In Hun-
Jny'K Hep nf April 15 , U In a rnr of the "whlto
train. " which rnirliii the MTV t-lelc | illKrlin * >
from Purls to Ixiunlm. Among the iillRrlint
In Haiti * ile Uticrmlnt. n jounu woman who fnr
yciir * ImH brfn Imlrlililrn. Hhi In nrenmimnloa
by her father niul Ilia Abbo 1'1'rrn rroment.
OHA1T1UI II.-Tho AblH ! 1'lerrn wns Iho
ton at n ch-rnlm , who lived nl Noullly. MvliiK
next thi'tn were M. ili > Uuan.ilnt nml hit fumiiy.
Ijltllo Marie (1e Ouemilnt nnil I'l.iro plnyi-il to-
( rethrr. nml llnnlly fell Inoe \ with eiich o horn
n they Brew up. SInrlo received nn Injury
wlilch rcnullwl In nearly tntnl | wrnl > l"- As
she riitild never become his wlfo Pierre became n
lirle t. . .
CHAPTKn III. The nufTorlne In the train I"
Inteniie when It alopn at 1'olrtlcri Inlf nil hour
for Itinch. . . , „
CHAlTIJn IV.-As the trnln i-tnrtit Sophie Con-
tenu ( jet * In. Bie ! tells the ftory nf HIP euro
ficcoiileil to her Jlneaseil foot by simply UlppInK
It In the witter * nt Ixjitrileri. . . ,
CHAPTnil V. The iihbn reniln nlmnt n lionk
clvlnw the lilnlnry uf llpinndeite , nml ilpseilbos
the eighteen tlmeH Mio raw the vlslnm In the
l-rntlo. Lourtle In rencheil In the emly niorn-
ln r. An the tmln roll * Into Hie Blutlon nu un
known nmu illcB.
8HCOND DAY. . . .
CIIArmn I. A vl\ld picture Is Riven nf thi >
confimlnn vhen the Invalids nro liuuleu nna
contort ! to the hospital.
CHAJTrm JI. The hospital Is frrently over-
crowileil. At 8 n m. the procession to the
Brotto iitnrts. nitlier llnn nla n ks the vnst
conffrcRatlon to pray for a Krcnt mlin < .li , as the
Inxly of the inim who tiled In the trn n l to bo
Immenml In thu pool In hopes Unit Ufo will be
° <
rHA I'TKn III. The abbe meets bis olil frlenJ.
Dr. Clinnwilsno. The crow a forces the nlibo to
the pools. The ileml inim IH brmiRlit In ami
ImmerscJ No mlrnclc occur * . On Bo-Inn out
the abbe finds that Marie has b"on bathed wlth-
CHAPThn IV. Pr Chasialcnc accompanies
Hie abbe to the Ilureau of Certlllcatlons. 1.1171
Iloutiuot , whose face was mmlo hl'leous by a
lupus , declares the sore H steaillly drylns up
Iji Grlvotte , who had been In the last 'tngei of
consumption , comes rushing In , innutmg , I am
CIIAPTnn V. In the evenlnR the abbe visits
JInrlo. She Is much tlPpo-mM and Is Inline her
rnlth. lie re-ids to the Invalids , continuing the
story of llenrndi-tte , tclllnR how persecutions fol
lowed upon the llrHt mlrncles The recitation
chccrB them up , nnil restores M irlo s fallli.
Till HI ) DAY
CHAPTER I , Pierre discovers that Mme. ol-
mar , a devout pIlRrini , Iia3 come to Lourues to
meet her lover. _ . .
CHAITHn II. Pierre nnd M do Oners-lint
meet Mme. Deiagnenux. Mile. Itn > mnnile nnd M
ile Peyri-lonsuc , to whom Ilnjinondo Is CHRaged
They % lslt plncns of Interest.
rilAPTnil III. Mnrle , nccompnnled by her
father and Pierre , watches the miRnlflcent
torchllKht pniceHHlon.
ClIAPTIjIl IV. 1'leire taltes Marie to the
Krotto to remain throuRhoiit the nlRht. Union
Hulre , UIP dlirotoi , taltes Pierre Into the Riotlo
nnd shows him the mlraculoui oprlns
CHAPTiu : V. l > r. Cha-wajRne tells Pierre
nlwut his Interview with llcrnadette , nnd de
scribes the efforts of the Abbe Pcymurnla to
build n church at Lourdes.
rOUHTII DAY.
CIIAPTnn I. Marie Is still confident of belnR
ured. The death of Mme. Tetu lalvldly
portrayed.
CIIAPTnn II. So Rieat Is the null of people -
plo to the Krotto on the last day of the pil
grims nt Ixmides that women and children are
cnnhed In the pioce- lon and se\erely In-
Jureil. There Is Rieat rellRloua fervor shown
( hiring- tin * nenlces. In the mlilsti of It
llrothcr Isidore dl ° s , with his eyes flxvd on the
statue of the Virgin.
FOUBTHDAY.
CHAPTER III.
The Holy Sacrament was appointed to be
berne by the pious Abba Judalno In the
procession at 4 o'clock. Ever since the
Holy Virgin hail cured his diseased eyes , a
miracle that was still vaunted In all the
Catholic newspapers , ho was ono of the
glories of Lourdes ; he was , therefore , al
ways given a prominent position and made
an honored participant of all ceremonies.
Ho made ready to leave the grotto at 3 : : > 0.
But the extraordinary concourse of people
alaimcd him and ho fcarotl to be late , unless
ho. could manage some way to circumvent
them , Fortunately , aid was at hand.
"Now , nbbe , " explained Borthaml , "do not
try to go round by the rosary , for you will
only bo detained. The bettor plan Is to
take the zigzag paths. Walt , I will go
ahead and you can follow. "
Ho elbowed his way through the compact
masses , opening a path for the priest , who
overcame him with gratitude.
"You are too kind. It Is all my fault. I
quite forgot , but then , good God , what are
wo to do presently , when the procession
must got past ? "
Indeed , that procession troubled nertlmud.
On ordinary occasions an uncommon degree
of excitement always arose when the pro
cession marched along. That obliged him
to take special precautions. What might
not happen In this Jam of people over
30,000 persons wrought to such a fever of
faith that they \ere ready for any kind of
religious demonstration ? So he could not
resist Improving this opportunity to give
Bomo wholesome advfco.
"Now , I beg you , abbe , do toll the clergy
not to allow any gaps to come between
them , toalk along slowly , ono right after
the other. And above all , hold the Hags
and banners very firmly , so that they may
not bo upset. As for you , abbe , see to It
that the men who hold the dais are strong ,
and fasten the linen around the stem of the
monstrance , and do not hesitate to use both
hands to carry It with all your strength. "
Though somewhat frightened by all thesn
Instructions , the priest continued his thanks
"Of course , of course , you arc most kind ,
Ah , sir , how much I thank you for helping
mo to got through this awful crowd. "
Already clear of the people , he hurried to
the Basilica by the little , narrow , zlg-zagglnt ;
paths that ran up the sldo of the hill , while
his companion plunged back Into the sea of
creatures to take up bis post of watchful
ness.
Just at that time 1'lcrro , who was pulling
JIarlo In her cart , struck the Impenetrable ;
wall of human beings on the sldo of the
rosary , The maid nt the hotel had waked
him at 3 to go to fatch the young clrl ut
the hospital. There was no hurry. They
would Imvo plenty of tlmo to reach the
grotto before the procession started. But
this Immense crowd , this Irresistible wall
that ho could not pierce , began to cause
great uneasiness. He would no\er get
along with the cart ho was dragging unless
people were a little more obliging.
"Uxcuse me , ntadamo , please ; I bog your
pardon. Do you not see It is for an In
valid T"
llut the 'ladies would not stir , hypnotized
at the sight of the brilliant grotto In the
distance , to sec wlilch they were standing
on tlptoo for fear something might be
inUscd. Ilesldes the noise of the litanies
was 80 great just then that the supplica
tions of the young priest worn quite- lost ,
"Pray , stand aside , gentlemen , and allow
mo to pass. Please make room for nn
invalid. Do- you not hoar me ? "
But the men , no more than the women ,
made no motion to move , beside themselves
and both blind and dumb In their ecstasy.
Throughout Marie smiled with Hcronlty , aa
If unconscious of any Impediment , nnd sura
that nothing In the world could hinder her
euro. However , when Pierre did succeed In
pushing Into the midst of the surging multi
tude , the situation became really serious.
The crowd overwhelmed the frail vehicle on
every ulile , and almost submerged It nt
times. At every few steps they were forced
to stop , to wait nnd begin again to beg their
way out. Plerro had never before felt so
anxious In n large crowd. It was harmless
and as Innocent and passt\o as n Hock of
sheep , but a troublesome undercurrent might
bo felt a poojllur condition of excitement ,
ready to overwhelm them at any moment ,
III spite of his love for the poor and humble ,
these ugly faces , common sweaty features ,
bad breaths and old clothes turned his
stomach.
"Now , then , ladls ; come now , gentle
men , let an Invalid pint. Do make room , I
bos you. "
The cart was drowned , towsed about on this
vast sea , Yet the prosresj undo was sure ,
though It took many minutes to get over
us ninny yards of the ground. At Mines
the cart disappeared comple'ely ; nothing
could be seen. Finally It did appear up
near the pooli. A tender sympathy made It
self felt for this young , sick girl , so wasted
by nuflarliiH , yet still KU lovely. As the
crowd gave wny under the determined shov
ing of the prleit people turned around and
showed pity for the thin , sad face , set round
with Its oreole of blonde hair. Words of pity
nnd admiration circulated. Ah , the poor
child I Was It not too cruel to bo no Infirm
at her nge ? Might the Holy Virgin bo gra
cious to her ? Others Were nurprlsed , struck
by the ocMutlo look she bore , with her bright
eyei open to the future of her hope. She
porcelvod her heaven. She would surely be
cuicill It wn by means of a roadway of
astonlzhmunt , n kind of fraternal charity ,
that the little cart nan able to steer through
the Hoods of people.
Pierre was In despair and was about to
give up , when one of the stretcher bearers
came to his aid by forcing a passage for the
procc'ilon , and this passage had been or
dered by Bcrthatid to be kept straight by
means of ropes held nt intervals of two
yards. After that he was able to drag Marie
easily , and llnnlly got her within the re
served space opposite the grotto , to the left.
It was Impossible to stir. The crowd seemed
to Increase every second. It seemed to him
as though the recollection of this painful
trip to the grotto through all that moving
crowd was like a struggle through mldoccan ,
whose waves swept over him relentlessly
and on every side.
ttver since they left ttio hospital Marie
had not opened her lips. He now under
stood she wished to speak to him , so he
leaned over her. "My father , " she asked ,
"Is he here ? Has he come back yet from
his excursion ? "
Ho replied that M. de Guersalnt had not
como back yet , and had no doubt been de-
tnlned against his wishes. She was satis-
fled , nnd nddcd , with n smile. "Ah , poor
papa ! How happy he will be when he llnds
I am cured I"
Pleire regarded her with emotional admira
tion. He never remembered to have seen her
look so lovely since the slow destruction of
her Illness had gone on. Her hair , her only
glory , co\erd her with Its golden fleece. Her
head , with Its refined , gentle look , had a
dreamy look , with eyes melting away In
their suffering , her motionless features ap
pearing ns though she had fallen asleep In
some absorbing Idea , to wait for a happy
shock to waken her. She was far away
from this world , and would return to it
when God was willing. Thus the delicate
child , still a maiden at 25 , having stopped
short nt the moment when struck down
by the accident that had retarded her sex
and prevented her from being a woman ,
was now ready to welcome an angel's visit ,
that miraculous shock that was to rouse her
from her torpor and put her on her feet.
Her morning's ecstasy continued , her hands
were joined , her whole being was wrapt and
carried away from the world , from the mo
ment she contemplated tne Imago of the
Holy Virgin. She prayed and offered herself ,
her soul and body.
To Pierre It was a season of great trouble.
He realized that the drama of his life as a
priest was about to be played that if faith
was denied him at this crisis he would never
attain It. With no wicked thoughts , but
without resistance , longing with nil his
might , ho also prayed to be cured together.
Oh ! to be convinced by seeing her healed ;
to believe together , to be saved together.
He longed to bo able to pray ardently as
she did , but in spite of himself ho was pre
occupied by the crowds that surging mass ,
In which ho had so great difficulty to lose
himself , to disappear , to become HKc a sim
ple forest leaf , whirled away with all the
other leaves. He could not help from think
ing about Marie and analyzing her case.
He was so conscious of her fascination , and
Inlluenced by these past four days , by the
fever of the long Journey , the excitement of
fresh sights and sounds , those days spent
at the grotto , the sleepless nights , excruci
ating pain nnd the leanings to Illusions. In
addition , the continued prayer , the canticles ,
the litanies that had shaken her very soul
without ceasing. Still another priest had
come after Father Massals , and he could
hear the former , a small , dark man , offering
cries toJesus and the Virgin , with a snap
ping voice like the cracking of a whip , while
Father Massals and Father Fourcnde , who
stood at the foot of the pulpit , directed the
prayers of the congregation , whose lamenta
tions rose higher and higher beneath the
limpid rays of the sun.
Suddenly a paralytic woman got tip and
walked toward the grotto , holding her crutch
in the air ; and that crutch , high above the
heads of the crowd , shaken lllto a ling ,
brought forth acclamations from the faith-
ful. They were watting In expectation of
prodigies , with the certainty that they would
take place , brilliant , Innumerable ! Eyes
thought they saw them , they were announced
by feverish voices ! Another ono cured ! nnd
yet another , nnd still another. A deaf
woman , made to henr , a dumb ono to speak ,
a consumptive rcsuscitnted. How la that , a
consumptive ? Why , certnlnly , It happened
every day ! There wns no possible surprise
evinced , not even It an amputated limb had
grown out again. The miracle became such
a stat'o of nature , such a common thing , or
dinary through force of every day occurrence
To their overheated Imaginations all Incredi
ble tales appeared quite simple. In their
logic , that It was expected from the Holy
Virgin. And It was strange to listen to the
tales that circulated ; the absolute certainty
whenever nn Invalid cried out she was cured.
Still another ! What , another cured ? Some
times , however , a sad voice would be heard ,
"Ah , she la cured ! Is she not lucky ? "
Plerro had already felt this Incredulous
sensation when at the office of the verifica
tion. But hero It was more so , for the ex
travagances ho heard exasperated him , said
so simply with childlike smiles. Ho tried
to become absorbed , not to listen to them
"Oh , God , cause my mind to bo overcome
that I can no longer understand , but Just
accept the unreal and the Impossible " Tor
an Instant he fancied he might undergo an
examination , and ho nllowed himself to be
carried away by the supplicating cry ,
"Saviour , heal our sick ! " "Saviour , heal
our sick ! " Ho repeated It with all his
might ; he clasped his hands and gazed fix
edly at the Virgin's statue , almost giddy ,
and so that he fancied she was moving ,
Why could he not become like a child as
were so many others , since happiness waste
to be found In Ignorance and falsehood ?
The contagion must spread , and soon ho
would be'nothing more than one grain of
sand among the many sands , humble among
the humblest , without asking what force
subdued and crushed him. Just at that
moment , when he felt sure the old Adam In
him was de d , that be had subdued It by
his will and Intelligence , the dull work of
thought began again In his brain , In
vincible , Incessant , In spite of his effort
ho returned little by little to his Inquiry
of doubt and seeUlng. What was the force
that took him away from that crowd ? Some
vital IIuid strong enough to determine what
were really the cures effected , what ones
were merely semblances. It was n phe
nomenon that no physiological student had
ever worked out. Must he believe that
the crowd was but a single being , nblo to
Increase tenfold on Itself the power of auto
suggestion ? Could he admit that In cer
tain moments of extreme exaltation a
crowd became the-agent of some sovereign
will that forced matter to obey ? It
might be explained how the sudden strokes
of healing were accomplished , In the very
midst of the crowd , upon the most sincerely
exalted hubjects. All the breaths were
united In one breath , and the power that
moved It was the ( power of consolation , of
hope and of life.
This thought of human charity touched
Pierre. In another moment ha was able
to pull himself together , to pray for the
healing of all , and greatly overcome by the
thought that ha was thus working a little
for the cure of Mario. Without knowing
how the chain of thought was made , ho
suddenly remembered the consultation that
he had exacted over the young girl's case
before they left for Lourdes. Ho could see
the room clearly , the gray wall papar , with
Its blue flower * , and he again heard the
three doctors discuss and come to their con
clusions. The two who had given certifi
cates diagnosing the cuse la bo paralysis
of the marrow , speaking with the wise air
of well known practitioners , esteemed for
their perfect honor , while In his ear still
hummed the quick , warm voice of bin second
end cnusln , Dcauclalr , the third physician ,
a young man of viut and bold Intelligence ,
whose confreres treated coldly us nn adven
turous spirit. And Pierre was surprised
Hint hr remembered Just nt this moment
things that he did not know were In hla
mind nt nil. Made clear by that singular
phenomenon that reproducer words
scarcely heard , badly heard , almcst
engulfed In tplto of one's self
that yet nwako In the brain , shine forth ,
make themselves known , after a long for-
gatfulncKs , It Bccmed as though the approach
preach of the miracle evoked these condi
tions , under which Ileauclnlr had said the
cure would be accomplished.
It was useless for Pierre to try to forget
the scene , although he prayed with re
doubled fervor. Again he saw the s'pot.
Words caniJ back to his mind and filled his
earn like some clarion trumpet. Now ho
was once more In that dining room In
which Ilenuclatr and he remained after the
otliern had gone Beauclalr wns making
out the true account of the case the fall
from the horse , landing with n nhock on her
feet , when 13 ; the Inflammation of the or-
gMiis , torn nnd turned to one sldo , un
doubtedly some l.gamonts had been severed ,
and that caused thu heavy weight In the
lower abdomen and hips , the weakness of
the limbs amounting to paralysis , then fol
lowed the slow repairs of the disorder , the
organ going back of Itself to Us normal posi
tion , ligaments healing , yet there came no
cessation of the painful , phenomenal suffer
ing , for the brain of this nervous child had
been affected by the accident and could npt
be disabused of localizing the point of her
pain In her motionless condition nnd In
capable of acquiring fresh Ideas ; so that
even after she was cured the Buffering still
went on , a nervous state of consecutive
agonies , no doubt aggravated by n poor con
dition of nourishment , nt that time but
faintly understood. Beauclalr also ex
plained easily the contrary diagnosis nnd
false numbers of the other physicians who
had taken charge of the case , who , perhaps ,
never had paid one visit , but went purely on
fact" , some believing It to be a tumor , the
rest , by far the greater number , Insisting
upon a giving wny of the mnrrow. He
nlone , after Inquiring after the antecedents of
the invalid , suspecting the simple case of be
ing hipped , regarding her disease by reason of
the continuous 'p in , the first violent shock
to her joung frame , and ho gave his
reasons the affected vision , the fixed ejes ,
the absorbed , absent expression , above all
the nature of the suffering that had left the
oigans to locate In the left ovary , where
she felt an Immense 'weight Intolerable ,
that sometimes filled even her throat In fear
ful turns or spasms of choking.
Only a determined wish to free
herself from the false Idea of
her trouble , a will power to mrfve , to
breathe freely , to suffer no longer , could put
her to her feet , cured , transfigured by some
great excitement of Joy or exaltation.
Once moro Pierre tried to settle his mind ,
to neither hear nor see these visions of the
past , for he felt It was a simple Irreparable
ruin of any belief In miracles. In spite of
his efforts and the ardor with which he cried ,
"Jesus , son of David , heal our sick ! " he still
saw , he still heard Betuclalr tell with his
calm , smiling manner just how the miracle
would be accomplished. It would bo like a
thunderclap , at some season of extreme emo
tion. Under some decisive circumstances
would the muscles bu unbound. Under some
wild transport of Joy the Invalid would rise
nnd wnlk , her logs suddenly released and
relieved from the overpowering weight that
had made them like lead for so many years ,
just ns If the weight had melted nnd run to
the ground. But above all that horrible load
that crushed down her abdomen , ravaged
her breast and choked her throat , would at
the same time depart In a prodigious release
like a tempest wind , carrying off all her
trouble. AVas It not thus In the middle ages ,
that those possessed of the devil gave up
the evil one through their mouth , that ovll
one who had caused such agony to their vir
gin flesh. Beauclalr had even added that one
day Marie would be a woman , with all the
attributes for maternity , and v\lth this rush ,
this awakening from the child life so delayed
and broken from the deep dream of suffering ,
she would all at once be restored to perfect
health , with its bright eyes and radiant
mien.
As Plerro gazed at Mane his trouble be
came greater to see her thus wretched and
Imploringly pathetic In her little cart , all
hope centered In Our Lady of Lourdes , who
gave back life. Ah ! If she might be saved
even at the price of his own damnation1
But she was too 111. Science lied , ns easily
as faith did , and he could not believe that
this child , whose limbs had been dead for
years , could ever recover ! In the chaos of
doubt Into which ho again fell his bleeding
heart called louder than before , repeated
with the delirious crowd without end :
"Savior , son of David , heal our sick ! "
"Savior , son of David , heal our sick ! "
At this moment a stir was felt In the
crowd , and all heads were turned. The people
ple swajed back and forth , faces looked
around and upward. It was the procession
of the Fourth Hour , somewhat late on this
occasion , but whoso cross was now appear
ing from under one of the monumental
arches. There was such a commotion , such
an Instinctive surging toward It , that Ber-
thaud made frantic gestures to order the
btretcher bearers to push back the crowd by
pulling the ropes more tight. These men for
an Instant were overwhelmed and thrust
back , with wounded hands , and It ended by
enlarging the passage reserved for the pro
cession to pass slowly by. At the head
walked a superb "Sulsse" dressed In blue and
silver , who was followed by the processional
cross bearers carrying a high cross sur
rounded by stars. Then came delegations
from all the different pilgrimages , with their
banners and standards of velvet and satin ,
embroidered In metals and gay colored silks ,
ornamented by paintings , bearing the names
of the various cities Versailles , lUholms ,
Orleans , Poitiers , Toulouse. One , nil white ,
of great magnificence , bore In led letters
this Inscription : "Tho work of the Artisans
Catholic Club. " Then came the clergy , 200
or 300 priests dressed In simple soutanes ,
some 100 or moro In surplices nnd nbout
fifty In golden chasubles , resembling stars.
All carried lighted candles , and sang In
loud voices , "Laudato Slon Salvatorem. " The
canopy was royal , of purple slk | , festooned
with gold , and held by tour priests , who
had evidently been selected on account of
tholr muscular strength. Undernentu the
canopy , between the two priests who assisted
him Abbe Judalne held the Holy Sacrament ,
his ten fingers tightly closed , na Berthaud
had recommended him to do. His uneasy
looks , cast right and left ns ho walked ,
showed that hu dreaded the pushing of that
surging crowd , and how fearful he was of
harm coming to the heavy , yet divine , mon
strance that was breaking his wrists by Its
weight. As the sun's rays struck It , It
seemed like another sun. Choir boys swung
the Incense holders Into the blinding sun
beams that caused the whole procession to
walk in a glory. Finally , behind all , there
was .1 contused mass of pilgrims , a tramping
like that of a flock of sheep , composed of
faithful and curious souls , whoso enthusiasm
was roused , following lu the wake made by
the rolling wave of human beings.
A few moments after Father Massals had
cot up again Into the pulpit , and this time
he had conceived another form of worship ,
After those burning cries of faith , of hope
and love that he had uttered , ho com
manded that here should be suddenly nbso-
lute silence , so that each soul , with closed
lips might speak In secret with God during
two or three minutes. This Instantaneous
silence In the midst of that vaut crowd ,
those moments of dumb vows. In which all
souls revealed thlor own mysteries , pro
duced a touching and most extraordinary
The' solemnity was Intense , and one could
almost hear the passing thought , the Im
mense deslra to live. Then Fstber Mas-
oils asked the Invalids nlono to spoak. to
supplicate God tolerant them what they
needed from His patency. Than followed A
piteous Inmentatlorw-humlredJ of broken and
faltering voices raised In a concert of tear * .
"Lord , Jesus , If TJpu" wilt Thou canst cure
met Lord Jeaiia , Imvo pity on Thy child ,
who Is dying of ioWC Lord Jesus , that I
may see , that I may. hear , that I may bo
nble to walk URaln ! " A shai'p volco of n
little girl , light nnjnvttaclous as n flute , dom
inated over the universal sob nnd repeated
In the distance : "Save the nthors ! Save
the others , Lord.Jesusl" Tears flowed
from every eye , supplications poured from
nil hearts nnd made 'even ' the most frivo
lous feel chnrltaUa .In a subllmo disorder
that Incited themJo tear open their hearts
If they might thus give to their neighbors
their own youth and -health. Father Mas-
sals , without allowing this enthusiasm to
be checked , again took up his cry , lashing
the crowd once more' , while Father Four-
cade , settling hlmnolf on ono of the pulpit
stops , lifted his streaming fncc toward
heaven to beseech God to come down.
The procession was coming ; the delega
tions , the prlesti were standing right nnd
left , nnd its the dais entered the place re-
scrval for the Invalids In Sront-of the rrotto ,
when they perceived the host , the holy sac
rament shin ng In the sun In the hands of
A him Judalno , there wns no longer any
further direction possible , all voices were
blended , n vertigo carried away every de
sire. The cries , the call * , the prayers were
lost In groans. Bodies were lifted from
their miserable pallets , trembling arini were
outstretched nnd folded hands seemed to
try to .stop the miracle OB It passed by.
Lord Jesus , save us , for we perish , " "Lord
Jesus , we who adore Thee , heal us , " "Lord
Jesus , Thou nrt the Chr.st , the Son of the
living God ! Save us. " Three times these
despairing voices uttered the supreme
lamentation , In their exasperation , In a.
clamor that pierced the very sky , and the
team Increased , Inundating the burning
faces that were transfigured by the longing
for salvation. For nn Instant the exc.te-
menl became HO Intense , the Instinctive
movement toward the holy sacrament
seemed so Irresistible that iJcrthaud made
a chain of all the stretch bearers who were
about. It was n maneuver of extreme
protection. A regular wall of men formed
to the left and right of the dais , each one
firmly locked. In the neck of the one next
to him , forming a kind of living hedge.
There was not a crack ; nothing could pass
through. But these human barriers did
not sulllce to keep out the passion of those
famishing for life , those desirous of touch
ing , of kissing Jesus , nnd they oscillated ,
shoved back against the dalj they were
protecting , while even the dais Itself was
In a continual danger of being upset , rolled
down under the mass of persons , like some
holy vessel In peril of shipwreck.
Just at the height of this holy excite
ment , amid the supplications and gobs , as
when during n storm the heavens are
opened nnd n thunderbolt descends , the
mlricles bzgan. A paralytic woman getup
up and threw down her crutches. There
was n piercing cry. A woman appeared
standing on her mattress , wrapped In a
white cover , ns though In n shroud , and It
was said she was n half dead consumptive
who wns restored. Time after t.me grace
was shown. A blind woman saw the grotto
distinctly , as though a flame ; a dumb
woman fell on her two knees , praising the
Holy Virgin In n loud , clear voice , and all
prostrated themselves at once at the feet
of Our Lady of Lourdes , overcome by joy
nnd gratitude.
Pierre had not taken hU eyes off Marie ,
nnd what he saw filled him with tenderness.
The Invalid's e > es , still open , had grown
larger , while hers"pbor , pale face , with Its
heavy expression.had contracted as though
she were suffering fearfully. She did not
speak , thinking , no doubt , that her Illness
had returned forever , in despair. Then ,
suddenly , as the , holy sacrament passed
nnd she saw Its gpld.ep. splendor In the sun
light , she was dJz/Ied ; and thought she had
been struck by IlgJitlilng. Her e > es bright
ened again , they jonca more recovered tholr
Maine of life , they shone like stars. Her
face , beneath Its renewed vigor , became ani
mated nnd flushed , ' smiling with the look
of happiness and health. He saw her sud
denly rlsa , stand up ti her seat , sway back
ward and forwanj , stammering , able to ut
ter this slnple caressing word. "Oh , my
dear ; oh , my deajfflpnd ! "
He approached quickly to hold her up , but
she pushed him inside by n gesture , and
steadied herself , is'o lovely , so touching , In
her dress of black woolen stuff , In the
slippers that Bho"always wore , tall and thin ,
surrounded as by a nimbus , formed by her
beautiful golden hair that wns only covered
by a bit of Ince. Her virgin body sus-
taincd some terrible shocks , us though n
mighty fermentation had regenerated It.
At first the legs were released from those
binding chains , then as she felt the blond
pour through her , the life blood of a woman ,
a wife and a mother , the final agony was
attained , nn enormous load came up Into
her throat from her stomach. This time It
did not stop there , nor choKe her , but
poured from her mouth and rujhed nway In
a cry of sublime joy :
"I am cured ! I am cured ! "
Then followed an extraordinary sight. The
covering fell from her feet. She triumphed.
Her face was superb In Its brilliancy. Her
cry of healing had sounded out with such
power that the entire concourse of ppople
were struck. She only existed , was to be
looked at , as she stood there , largo , radiant
and divine :
"I am cured ! I am cured ! "
Plerro began to weep In the violent
emotion that ho felt In his heart. Tears
poured afresh down his cheeks. In the
midst of the enthusiasm , the exclamations ,
the praises , the fantlc excitement came
nearer nnd nenrer , carried on by the In
explicable emotion of the thousands of
pllgrlmb that thronged nbout to see. Ap
plause could be heard , a perfect fury of ap
plause , that rolled like thunder from one
end of UIP town to the other.
Father roureudo waved his arms , nnd
finally , from the pulpit , Fntlier Massals
made himself heard *
"God hath visited us , my dear brothers ,
my beloved sisters. 'Magnificat anlma mea
Dominum. ' "
All the voices , those thousands of voices ,
intoned the chant of adoration nnd grati
tude. The procession wns stopped. Abbe
Judntne hud reached the grotto with the
monstrance , but he waited there before
giving the benediction. Outsldo the grating
stood the dais , surrounded by priests ii ,
chasubles and surplices , shining like snow
nnd gold , In the rajs of the setting sun.
Marie remained kneeling , sobbing , nnd all
during the Ringing of the chant she made n
burring net of faith and love. Hut the
crowd wished to see her walk , and happy
voices called. A group surrounded her that
nearly lifted her up nnd pushed her toward
the Bureau of Certifications , In order to prove
the mlrnclo to be ns clear as the sunlight
Her cart wns forgotten. Pierre followed
her , while she who had not used her limbs
for seven jcars advanced , stammering
hesitating with adorable awkwardness , with
the uneasy ntr of a little child that takes
Its first steps ; und It was so touching , &o
delicious , that ho could only think of thu
tremendous hnpplUcss of seeing her youth
thus removed. Ah ! beloved friend of his
youth , dearly loved , In the past , she would
at least be the beautiful nnd chnrmlng
woman that the young glil of former years
had bid fair to become , when In the little
garden nt Neullly she was so pretty and gay
beneath those great trees whoso liJavos
danced In the sunlight.
The crowd continued to acclaim , and nn
Immense concourse accompanied her. All
were nwnlting her , stationed near the door ,
with feverish Impatience , after she had gone
Into the ofilce. to which only Plerro was
admitted besides her.
That afternoon there were very few people
nt the Bureau of Certlflqatlons. The little
square room , with Its overheated wooden
walls , Its rudimentary furniture , Its straw
chairs nnd two tables , of unequal height ,
was occupied , outside the customary officials
by only seine five' nr six doctors , all sitting
und silent. In front of the tables the chief
of the Service of the Pools and two young
priests were making up the registry and
sorting the papers , while Father Dargells , at
the end of ono table , was writing notes for
his paper. Just then Dr. Bonamy was en
gaged In examining the lupus of Ellsu
Itoi'quet , who had been for the third tlmo to
certify the Increasing qure of her sore.
"At any rate , gentlemen , " cried the doctor ,
"have you over seen a lupus of this sort
mend BO rapidly ? I am aware that n work
has appeared on faith healing , In which It
says that certain sores are of nervous origin.
Only nothing Is less palpable In this case
of lupus , nnd I defy any commission of
doctors to meet and agree together to explain -
plain the euro ot this lady by any ordinary
means. "
He paused and turned tow .rd Father
Dargells. "Hav you noted , father , that
the suppuration has ceased entirely nnd thiU
the skin Is becoming n natural color ? "
Hn did not wait for an answer , for Maria
returned , followed by Pierre , nnd ha In
stantly guessed the lucky stroke of fortune
that had como to htm by the beaming nlr
of the cured girl. She vvis fnsclnntlnR ,
just made to attract and convert the multi
tudes. IIo quickly scut RHsu Ulnuquet
away , nuked the name ot the new coiner
nnd called for the books from one of the
young priests. Then as she trembled ho
wished her to alt down In one of the arm
ohalrs.
"Oh , no , no , " she cried. "I nm so happy
to be nblo to use my logs. "
Pierre hid glanced about , hoping to find
Dr. Chnsunlgnc , but wns sorry not to find
him. Ho stood apart nnd waited while
they searched through the untidy drawers ,
uunblo to find the necessary paper.
"Let me see , " repented Dr. Bonnmy.
"Mario do Onemilnt , Mnrle de Gucmlnt.
I certainly have seen that immo. "
ttabvln nt last discovered the papers ,
classified In the wrung alphabetical list ,
nnd when the doctor nscertnlncd the two
cerllflcntes therein conln'ncd ' he was much
excllcd.
"Now , this Is very Intelestlng , gentle
men. I bog you will listen nttentholy.
This > ouug Inly whom you bee was fclzcd
with n serOUR affection of the mnrrow , nnd
If there should be any iloubt felt , these two
certificates nro enough to convince the nual
Incredulous ) , for they are signed by two
physicians nf thu faculty of Paris , whose
names nro well known among nil our con
freres. "
Ho passed the certificates to one of the
doctors present , who read them with slight
nods. It was undeniable. Those Hlgna-
tuics were those of honest and clever prac
titioners.
"Well , gentlemen. If the diagnosis Is not
contested , nnd It never can be when an In
valid brings documents of such value , wo
must now examine what modifications Imvo
been produced In the condition of this lady. "
Hut before ho questioned her ho turned
nnd addressed Pferre
"Abbe , you came from Paris with Mile , de
Giiersalut , 1 believe. Did you happen to tnlk
with the doctors before you stnrtcd ? "
The priest felt n shiver Hint froze him ,
oven In his great Joy.
"I wns present nt the consultation , sir "
Once more the scene came before him. Ho
saw again the two grave and solemn doctors.
He saw llcauclalr standing while his associ
ates corrected their certificates to bo alike.
Should ho put these nslde and speak of the
other diagnosis , that which nllowed n scien
tific explanation of the cure ? The miracle
had been foretold , ruined beforehand.
"You will notice , gentlemen , " ngaln said
Dr. Bonamy , "that the presence of the nbbe
gives a new force to these proofs. Now
mademoiselle will tell us exactly what she
felt. "
He leaned on Father Dargells' shoulder ,
and advised him not to forget to give Plerro
n place In the account ns nn co witness.
"My God , gentlemen , how can I tpll ? "
said Marie In her breathless voice , broken
by happiness. "Kvcr since yesterday I was
sure of being cured. Yet Just now , when
the tingling ramc In my logs , I feared lest
It might bo only a fresh attack. I did doubt
for nn Instant. Then the tingling stopped ,
but It recommenced ns soon as I began to
pray again. Oh , I prayed. I prayed with
all my soul. I ended by giving myself up
as though I had been a child. 'Holy Virgin ,
Our Lady of Lourdes , do with mo what thou
wilt. ' The tingling stopped no snore. It
seemed ns though my blood was boiling , and
a voice cried , 'Stnnd up , stand up. ' I felt
the miracle like n great cracking of my
bones , of all my flesh , as If I were struck
by lightning. "
Very pale , Pierre listened. Benuclalr
had , Indeed , said that the cure would come
as suddenly as lightning whenever , under
sonic Influence of over-excited Imagination ,
aome powerful wakening of her will should
produce n similar effect.
"My legs were first set free by the Holy
Virgin , " she continued. "I had a distinct
sensation that bands of Iron were sl'dlug
down my skin like broken chains. Then
the awful weight that always crushed me
on my left hip seemed to surge , and I
thought I was dying , It was so fearful.
But It passed by my breast , past my throat ,
and It came Into my mouth , from which I
spit It violently out. It was all over. I
no longer was possessed of disease It had
flow n. "
She mnde the tired motion of some night
bird that flaps Its wings and ceased smiling
at Pierre , who was utterly undone. Bcau-
clair had foretold all this , using almost
the same words , the same descriptions. In
every point the prognostication had been
realized ; there was nothing In it but n
foreseen and natural phenomenon. Rabins
had followed the account with round eyes ,
with the Interest of a limited devotion ,
haunted by the Idea of hell.
"It was the devil , " he cried. "Sho spat
out the devil. "
Dr. Bonamy silenced him , being wiser ,
and turning to the physicians , said :
"Gentlemen , you know we try hero never
to pronounce that great word 'miracle. '
But here Is a fact , and I am curious to know
how you can explain It by natural means.
For seven years mademoiselle has suffered
from n serious paralysis , evidently due to an
affliction of the marrow. If It were denied ,
there are the certificates. Indisputable. She
neither walked nor could make a motion
without pain , and had reached such a con
dition of complete exhaustion that a fatal
termination was apprehended. Suddenly she
gets up , walks , laughs and beams. The
paralysis has entirely disappeared. No pain
remains. She Is as well ns you or I. Look
nt her , gentlemen. Approach , examine her.
Tell me how It nil happened. "
He triumphed. Not one of the doctors
spoke. Two , doubtless practical Catholics ,
approved by an e.iergetic shake of the bend.
The others remained motionless , rather
bored , little desirous of being placed upon
record down to this history. A small , thin
one , however , whoso eyes were shining bs-
hlnd great -spectacles , finally got up to look
at Marie nearby. Ho took one of her hands ,
examined the pi.pllu of her eyes and seemed
simply preoccupied by the look of trans
figuration that covered her faco. Then ,
with n courteous nlr , not willing to even
discuss , he returned to his scat. "This case
surpasses science , that Is all I can verify , "
concluded Dr. Bonamy. victoriously. "I
must add that there Is hero no state of con-
valebcnco to bo found ; health has returned
nil nt once , full nnd entire. I.oo ) < nt
mademoiselle. Her bright appearance , her
pliik complexion , her features have regained
their lively state. Of course the separation
of the tissues will continue rather blowly ,
but ono can almost say that the young lady
has been born again. Is that not so , abbe ,
you who sco her so often ; do you recognize
her now ? "
Plorro stammered *
"It Is true ; it is true. "
Again Dr. Bonnmy leaned over Father
Daigclls' shoulder , who had finished his
notes , u sort of complete official report
They exchanged words In a low tone and
after some further consultation the doctor
said"Abbo
"Abbo , as you were present at these won
ders , ) ou will not refuse to sign this very
exact account that the reverend father hns
just prepared for the journal of the grotto ? "
Must ho sign that pauo of error and ll ?
He was seized by n feeling of revolt nnd wns
on the point ot crying out the truth. But
the wolght of his cloth forbndo him , and
nbovo nil Mario's divine joy filled his heart.
He was so permeated with happiness to see
her saved. As they were not questioning
her now. she had como and was leaning on
his arm , continuing to smile at him with her
lovely eyes. "Oh , my friend , " she said
very softly , "do thank the Holy Virgin. Sh
has been so good ! Now I am well , beauti
ful and young ! And how happy my father ,
my poor , dear father , will bo ! " '
So Pierre signed. Everything In him
went against It , but U was milllclcnt that she
was saved. Ho would have considered It as
sacrilege to touch the faith of this child
that great fulth that had caused her cure.
When Marie came out the acclamations be
gan ngaln , the crowd clapped their hands.
The miracle was now official. Charitable
people , fearing lest she might bo fatigued
and require the use of her cart , that she had
abandoned In front of the grotto , had fetched
It to the bureau of certifications. When
she saw It she was filled with emotion. Ah ,
that cart , In which she had lived so many
years , that moving collln In which she had
sometimes thought herself burled alive. How
many tears , how much despair , how many
bad days It had witnessed ! All at once
she thought that If she had suffered In It
for so long It should also take part In her
triumphs. U was a sudden Inspiration , a
saintly folly that made her grasp the handle
Just at that moment the procession was
passing , coming back from tht grotto , whcro
Abbe Judalno had pronounced the benedic
tion. And Marie , dragging her cart , placed
herself behind the canopy , lu her sllppera ,
her head covered l > r Its bit of Hoc , she nUo
walked with panting breast , her face hold
high nnd superb , drugging along her cart nf
misery , that moving tomb In which she had
suffered , nnd the crowd nppliuded her , the
frenrlod crowd that follow after.
CIIAI'TOI IV.
Plerro had followed Mnrle , ttml now found
himself just behind the canopy with her , ni
though thfly Imd been caught up In the pull
of glory that unused her tu drag her cart In
triumph. But the awful sliovlnn vvns o
tremendous , so teui | > ostuuns that ho would
nurcly have fallen If n rough hand had not
mistnlued him.
"Do joti fenr ? Olve me your arm , other
wise we nlinll not bo nble to ki'Op our feet "
Ho turned nnd recugnl/cd with surprise
Fnthcr Massals , who Imd left Father Tour-
cndo In the pulpit to accompany the canopy.
IIO wns actuated by nn extraordinary fever
ish strength that enabled him In push nhoad ,
ns Roltd ns u rock , his eyes like firebrands ,
his visage exalted , though covered
owent.
"Do tnko enrol Give mo your nrml"
A fresh human wave had nearly swampe
them , KO Pierre surrendered hlmnolf to this
terrible man , whom he recollectfd Imd been
n fellow student of the seminary. What n
strange meeting' ' And huw ho longed to
possess such n degree of faith , but fnlth
whoso strength even now caused him to cry
out , nmld choking subs , the nrdcnt suppllca <
tlnn"Lord
"Lord Jesus , euro our sick ! Lord Jesus
heal our sick1"
The cry never sto'ppcd behind the canopy ,
for there was always to bo found there u
crlcr charged with the * duly of keeping down
any signs ot falling enthusiasm of faith.
Sometimes the volco was thick and gros , nt
other times It was piercing and shrill. That
of the priest was Imperious and ending by
brcnklng with his emotion
"Lord Jesus , heal our stckf Lord Jesus
euro our sick ! "
The notts of Mnrle's astounding cure , of
thnt mlrncle , whose marvels were to fill all
Chilstcndom , Imd already spread from one
cud ot Lourdes to the other , nnd accounted
for the Increased fury of the masses. The
contagious delirium that caused every one to
flock round the Holy Sacrimcnt rolled on
unchecked llltp n flood nt high tide. Kach
one yielded to the unconscious desire to sec
her , to touch her , to be cured , to be happy.
God was nenr. nnd the Invalids were not
the only ones who sought life ; nil were seized
by the necessity for happiness , that lifted
them with bleeding , open hearts nnd empty
hands.
Bcrthtiud , who doubted this excessive love ,
had mnde a point to come with his men
Ho ordered and watched , thnt the double
row of stretcher benrers on both sides of the
canopy should not be severed-
"Close in more , more ; hold each other's
arms tight. "
These young people , chosen from among
the strongest , had hard work to do this. The
wall against which they struggled v-.nn like
wise shoulder to shoulder , arms linked nbout
waist nnd neck , that gave and rebounded nt
every moment under these Involuntary as
saults. No one admitted thnt he pushed nnd
thus It wns n continual bubbling of waters
that came from profound distances and that
threatened to overwhelm.
When the canopy reached the middle of
the square of the losary Abbe Judalne
thought that he would go no further. Sev
eral cross currents wore met In the vast
square thnt made the rush come from every
side. Ho therefore stopped under the can
opy , beaten like a sail before the wind Ho
held the holy sacrament very high up by his
two hands , fearful lest some ono shoving
from behind should throw It down , for he
knew very well that the golden monstrance
shining under the bright sun wns the point
of Interest to nil these people , the God they
desired to embrace , to lose themselves In
Him , ready for annihilation. So , quite un
strung , he turned his anxious face toward
Berthaud.
"Do not allow any ono to go by , " called out
the latter to his associates. "No one ; this or
der must be obeyed , do you hear ? "
But supplicating voices were raised ,
wretches were Bobbing with outstretched
arms and open lips , with the mad desire that
made them como to kneel at the feet of the
priest. What a mercy to be thrown down ,
trampled upon by the procession. An Infirm
man held out his withered baud , convinced
that It would ngaln be useful if only he bo
allowed to touch the monstrance. A dumb
girl pushed herself by with her strong shoul
ders , furiously , to loosen her tongue b > one
kiss. Many more cried , Implored and ended
by clenching their fists against the cruel per
sons who refused n healing to the sufferings
ot their souls nnd miserable bodies. The
password wns absolute , for they feared some
fearful accident.
There was one woman , however , the sight
of whom touched every heart. Miserably
clad , her head bare , her face covered with
tears , she held In her arms n little boy nbout
10 years old , whose two legs hung down ,
useless , paralyzed , He was far too heavy
for her feeble stiength , but she did not seem
to feel the weight. She had brought her
son. She Im'plored the benrers with n sullen
obstinacy that could not bo overcome by
cither words or pushing.
Finally Abbo Judalne , greatly touched ,
called to her by a sign. Obedient to the offi
cial pity , In spite of the danger of opening
a breach , two of the stretcher bearers separ
ated , and the woman precipitated herself and
her burden down before the priest. For a
moment he placed the foot of the holy sncra-
ment on the child's head. The mother
pressed her own lips upon it. Then as they
moved on once mote she remained behind
the canopy , following the procession , her
hair flying , and trembling under the too
heavy load that wns brenklng her shoulders
They crossed the Place do Rosalro with the
utmost dllllculty. Then began the ascent ,
the glorious nscent by the monumental ram
part , while up above , against the sky , the
Basilica reared Its slender splro , from which
rang out a carillon of chimes telling of the
triumph of Our Lady nf Lourdes. It waste
to this upotheoils that the canopy wns slowly
reaching , toward the high door of the sanc
tuary that seemed open to the Infinite , above
thnt Immense crowd , whoso surging , like the
sea , below nil over the streets nml squares ,
kept up Its grumblings. The inagnlllcent
"Sulsse , " in his blue nnd sliver , had al
ready arrived at the cupola of the Ilosary
with the processional cross , overlooking
the vast esplanade of roots. The delega
tions of the pilgrims enrolled their line
of march. Tholr silken and velvet ban
ners , with the gay coloring , floated In the
flrc-llghted horizon of the setting sun.
Then the resplendent clergy , the priests In
their snowy surplices , the priests In gold
chasubles , looked like strings ot stars. The
Incense holders were singing before the
canopy that went upward and onward ,
though no vl.lble means of support waste
to bo seen , as If same Invisible force un
seen angels were carrying It In u glorious
ascension to the open doors ot heaven It
self. Songs burst forth ami voices no
longer claimed a healing for the sick , now
that they did not form part of the crowd.
The miracle had been wrought and It was
celebrated by loud voices , ringing bells , by
n quivering gaycty In all the air.
"Magnificat anlma moa Dominum. "
Again the canticle of praise that had
been sung at the grotto burst from all
hearts * "ntexlus altavlt splrltus incus In
Dee salutarl meo1"
Marie pnrtcok of this glorious ascension
by means ot the colossal ramparts toward
the basilica of light with an Increasing
overflow of happiness. Cach step she took
upward neome.1 to bring fresh strength ,
her restored limbs gilned solidity , though
they had been useless for so long. The
vciy cart that she drugged so victoriously
was n kind of revenge against her Illness ,
that hell from wlilch the Holy Vlrg-.n had
delivered her ; and , although the hnndlo
hurt her hands , she Insisted on taking It
all the way with her , to throw It nt the
feet of God , No obstacle Impeded her ;
she laughed in the midst of great tears ,
her breast heaving , her step like that of a
warrior. On the way ono of her slippers
Imd como unfastened , and the lace scarf
Imd fallen from her head to her shoulders ,
nit she walked on just the same , bon
neted by her lovely blonde hair , her face
Jedinlug in cuch an awakening of will and
strength that the heavy cart she pulled be-
ilml her bounded over the rough paving
stones like a child's toy wagon.
Plerro had remained with Father Mas-
rala near to Marie , the former having kept
told of his arm. In the midst of his tro-
neiidous revulsion of feeling he had been
unable to reflect. His companion's son
orous voice deafened him.
"Pcposult potontes do scda ot cxaltavlt
lumlles. "
On the other sldo , to his right , nerthaud
was following the canopy , quite easy now
n his mind. He had given his orders to
cease keeping BO close a "cordon" of men ,
and now regarded the human sea that was
crossing the procession with a degree of In
terest The lusher up they cllmboJ th <
iitori ! Old the Place tin Hognlro nnd the ran
den paths xtcnd balinv tholr cyni , lilncK
nnd filled with people. It was A wholt
tribe In a blrd's.pi'-vle\v nn ant hill mor
anil more busy In the distant ncene
"Do look , " he finally romarkcil lo Plorro.
"lu It not grand , la It nut fine ? Indeed ,
this will not bo a Imd ) car. "
To him b'tmlct was , nbovo nil , the ntull-
onto chamber for the Propaganda , where ha
gratified his political bitterness by reJolcliiK
In the numerous pilgrimage * that ho thought
to bo illnnrrvatiblc to the government. Aht
If they could only bring hither worklngmpu
from the cities nml crento n C.Uhollo
dtniocrncy' '
r1 . * 1 JL'nrcontinued ' , "hardly 200-
000 pilgrims cunu here. This -.ear I trust
that number will bt > surpassed"
And with his good na lured manner , In
splto of his sectarian pasilouo , ho mild :
Indeed , * while ago when there wns suoh
n crush I was pitted ! I kept thlnUnir ,
its n success , It's n succcis. "
Plurro wn * not listening. Ho wns qulla
struck by the wonderful sight The crowd
stretched out bcforo him ns they climbed
hlKliiir up the hillside , the magnificent vnlloy
that my nt his feet , widening out Indeflnltnly
until It wii * lost In the fatuous horizon of
the mountains , tilled him with n
trcii'lilliiK admiration. Ills uneasiness
seemed to swell * ] Kr0w Hrger ,
nnd ho lonki-d nt Marie to nttrnot her nt-
toiitlon lo thu lovely view by n wide swoop
of his nun.
The motion deceived her for ho did not
tnko In the material sldo of the picture In
her present ntnto of spiritual exaltation.
She fancied ho took In the whole earth ns YI
witnoHB of the prodigious fnvom thnt the
Holy Virgin had showered on thorn , for shn
Imagined ho had also received his share ol
the mlrncle , and that her sudden restoration ,
her return to health , had llltewlne lifted him ,
her dearest filnnd nnd neighbor , to the BIUIIU
dlvlnn strength and thnt his soul had boeu
saved from unbelief and restored to faith.
How could he Imvo been present nt her
marvelous turo and not be convinced ? And
VMIdes , she had prayed HO hard the previous
night at the grotto' ' She saw him through
nil her excctHlve Joy , transfigured , too , weep
ing nnd laughing , given up to God And It
If.shcd her on to greater happiness siio
dragged bur cnrt without fatigue Indeed ,
would have dragged It for miles nnd miles ,
even higher up to Inaccessible heights , to
the darling glories of Paradise , If she might
hnvc carried their double cross to this re
sounding mount , her own raunorn nnd the
ransom of her friend.
"Oh , Plorro , Plerro , " she stammered , "Is
It not good to have this gront happiness
together , together ? I Imd longed so ardently
for It , ntid Shr > was willing She hns saved
jou by saving me. Yes , I felt your very
soul melt In my noul. Toll me that our
mutual prayers Imvo been granted , thnt I
have obtained your salvation ns you hnvo
obtained mlno "
He understood her mlstnko nnd shuddered ,
"If you knew what n mortnl agony It
would bo to mo to como up heie nlono to
the light. Oh , to bo among the elect with
out you , to go up nbove without you I But
with you , Pierre. It Is n delight Saved to
gether ! Hnppy forever ! I fool such strength
to bo happy , oh , strength enuugh to support
the whole world' ' "
But ho could not answer the truth , so ho
lied , revolting ngalnst the idea of spoiling
her great and pure felicity. "Yes , yes , bu
happy , Mnrlo , for I nm very happy myself ,
and all our tioublcs nro forgotten "
B i' In his Inmost soul he felt n great nnd
sudden break , ns though the stroke uf nn ax
had separated them from one nnother. Up
to now In all their common sufferings she
Imd alwa > s remained the little girl friend ,
the first woman ho had ever Ingenuously
desired , that hu Imd nlwajs felt to be his
own , since she could belong to no ono else.
And she was cured and he was left nloue In
his hell , to . ay to himself that she could
never ngnln belong to him This horrlblo
thought so overcame him that ho turned
away his ejos , unwilling to witness the
prodigious happiness In which she exulted.
The cantlclo continued , ns Father Mnssals ,
hearing nothing , teeing nothing , nil flllotf
with burning gratitude toward God , begar
the last Urslclc In a thundeilng voice ,
"Slcut locutos est ad patres nostros , Abra
ham , ct semen ejus In saocula. "
Ono more rampart to go up , one moro
effort lo make on this mountain side , with
Its large , slippery pav.ng clones ! So the
urocesslon moved en and the ascension con
tinued In the brond daylight ! There wns
just one moro turn ; the wheels of the carl
grated against the granite stones. Higher
nnd hlcher It rolled upwnrd till It touched
the very border of heaven
Then suddenly the canopy was fcen to
bo nt the summit of those gigantic ram
parts , in front of the door of the Basilica ,
on the stone balcony that overlooked the
plain. Abbo Judalne ndvnnccd , holding up
in the air by both hands the holy sacra
ment. Near him Marie had halted with
her cart , her heart beating by her walk ,
her face scnrlct In the golden halo of her
unbound hair. Behind them the clerg >
were ranged , with their snowy surplices , tholr
shlnlnc chafiiihlo ; , while the banners waved
and flags floated , dotting the white balus
trades , und then followed a moment of In
tense solemnity.
From nbove nothing could be liner. Flrsl
the crowd below was like a human sea ,
In its somber hue , with the unceasing
swell , restleif , unceasing , In which hera
and there /might hi ! distinguished llttll
whlto spots of faces raised toward th |
basilica , waiting for the benediction , and
as far as the eye could reach , from tlia
Place dc Hosaire , In all the paths , the av
enues and squares , to the old town In tin
distance , the little pale faces were multi
plied , Innumerable , without end , nil anx
ious , with ccs fixed on that august threshold
where the sky was about to open On the
other sldo the Immense amphitheater ol
the hills , the mounts and mountains rais
ing their peaks to the infinite and loslna
themselves In the blue ether. To the
north , beyond the torrent on the lowei
steeps , nmld the trees , were the number
less convents the Carmelites , the Assump-
tionlsts , the Dominicans , the Sisters ol
Neveru all were bathed In a rose colored
reflection , catching the tints of the setting
sun.
Above them rose masses of woodlands , up
to the heights ot Bunla , that went past the
"Scrro do Yulos" overtopped by Mlrnmont.
To the south deep valleys opened out , narrow
gorges between walls of giant rocks whosg
bases sank in the bluish shndows of the
giouud , while their tops shone forth with the
farewell glories of the sun. On that slda
the hills of Vlseus were purple , n coral
promontory that barred the sleeping lake
In the sapphire-clear ether. But to the
east opposite the horizon again stretched out
wide to the cross roads of the seven valleys.
The chateau that had formerly protected tha
reads now stood on the rock at whose base
ran thu Gave , with Its dungeons , Its high
walls , the ancient fortress with Its black
profile. And beyond the new town , gay
In the midst of Its gardens , a swarm of white
facades and great hotels , of furnished houses
and flue hupH , with all their windows Il
luminated Illiu great fires , while behind
the chateau old Lourdes reared Itself con
fusedly. Us discolored roofs looking misty
under the red sunlight. At this late hour
the little Gers nnd the big Gcrs , these two
enormous mounds of naked rock , dotted
with wild grasses , behind which the roynl
crb wax Hotting , looked like some neutral
background , two purplish curtains violently
drawn across thu horl/on.
Abbe Judalne , opposite nil this vastness ,
lifted the holy sacrament In his two humid
higher yet and higher , Ho slowly moved U
from ono cud of the horl/on to the oilier
and made a great sign of the cross In the
open sky. To the left ho saluted the con
vents , the heights of Buala , the Serro du
Yulos , lo Mlramont ; to the right ho saluted
the great hewn blocks of of stone In the
obscure vnllcys. the purple hills of VUoui ;
opposite he milutcd the two towns , Ilia
chateau skirted by the Gave , thu lltllo
Gers and the great Gers , already slumber
ing , and ho saluted the woods , the streams ,
the mountains , the Indistinct chains of dis
tant peaks , the whole world beyond the
visible horizon !
"Peace on earth ; hope and consolation
to man ! "
Below the crowds trembled beneath tht
great sign of thu cross that covered them nil.
It seined like so mo passing breath of divinity
rolling over that billow of llttlo whlto faces ,
as numerous as the waves of the ocean. A
murmur of adoration went up , ull mouths
declared the Kl'iry ' of Owl , when the mon
struuco , struck by the full rays of the sottlnft
sun , appeared like a now tun a sun of gola
tracing out the emblem of the cross In tlneti
of flame on the edge of the sky.
The banners , the clergy , Abbo Judalne ,
under the canopy , were already KQliiK Into
thu basilica , when Marie , Just as she was
about to enter , too , without lettlnic go the
Imndlo of her cart , war * stopped by two
ladles , who kissed her and wept over her.
They were Mme. I * Jonqulere and