BROTHER CONRAD’S NOV TIATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3524, 27 September 1921, Page 58

BROTHER CONRAD’S NOV TIATE.

By

M. L. Barry.

% [CorVHTGJIT.I The College of Rt. Ambrose stood on a slight eminence overlooking Sillerton Vale, a picturesque expanse of meadow and woodland in the heart of Midlandshire. It was a middle-class boarding school for the education of Catholic hoys, conducted by the bathers of the Order of Rt. Ambrose. The Superior of the College, Father Clement, a thin cadaverous man, worn to a mere shadow by a life of rigorous asceticism, was kneeling in a dark corner of the choir to-night, his keen grey eyes fol-

lowing every movement of Brother Conrad, a young novice of the Order, who was extinguishing the lights in the chapel below.

In that part of the sacred edifice reserved for strangers, which was immediately under the choir, one worshipper still remained, whose - form was scarcely visible in the dim light east by a small lamp suspended from the ceiling of the chapel. But Father Clement could see that the kneeling figure was a female, though he could not discover whether she was one of the regular worshippers at St. Ambrose’s or a stranger, a thick veil and heavy cloak completely baffling his efforts to identify her. Having extinguished the lamps and candles of the high altar, Brother Conrad came down the aisle to the lower part of the chapel, which was alone open to the public. A death like pallor crept over Father Clement’s worn face as he watched the novice, watched him with" eyes which seemed aflame with apprehension and alarm. Brother Conrad paused for an instant near the kneeling woman, who at once rose and glided quickly towards the door, followed by the youthful Ambrosian; lather dement losing sight of the two as they passed under the Drojecting floor of the choir. He waited until Brother Conrad had bolted the public door of the chapel, and passed out of the private door leading into the college. -Then with a deep, supplicatory ejaculation, he retreated slowly to his own room, prostrated himself on the floor, and prayed for the deliverance from temptation of one inexpressibly dear to him as the favourite child of the Order. In ten days Oonrad Bangdon’s period of probation would end. and the final vows of consecration, which would bind him for life to the service of the Ambrosians, would be registered in the chapter of the College. No sordid wish sullied the prayers of the venerable man ; no thought of Conrad Langdon’s wealth—for the novice was very wealthy—tainted the pious appeals of this pure-minded and self sacrificing devotee to-night. . -AT half-past ten the College was buried in darkness, and no sound disturbed the hashed stillness of the auiet March ninht Slipping cautiously out' of his room’ Brother Conrad moved swiftly and carefully down the narrow corridor to the staircase, and gliding down the broad stone stairs soon reached a side-door opening upon the College grounds. Drawls the bolts lie passed out, vaulted over a low railing which separated the grounds from the adjacent fields, and walked rapidly towards a small wood or spinney which stood within a hundred yards of tho College. In a few minutes he was striding alon* a familiar pathway under the trees, his eyes fixed upon a small patch of open ground ahead, upon which the moonlight tell m a shower of silvery radiance. The heavily-cloaked figure of the mysterious worshipper in the chapel was standing near this spot, in the shadow of the surrounding trees, and as the novice approached she slowly raised her veil, disclosing a face of singular loveliness and refinement. He stood in silence before her, his dark expressive eyes glowing with tenderness, hie sensitive lips quivering with suppressed feeling. “We meet again for the second and the last. time. Fes, she said in a low tremulous , voice, “you must learn to forget me.” ° I can never forcet you. Since our last meeting,’ he continued, in tones of entreating tenderness, “I have honestlv obeyed your wishes, have sought in prayer and meditation for light to guide me in the right direction, and the light has brought me here to-night—here to tell you that 1 love you—that I shall never know rvhat happiness is—never know peace or contentment in life if you refuse to be my wife.” Flo, no, it cannot be,* she said agitatedly, shrinking timidly as he approached her. “Recollect I am a free man, bound by no vows—which._ if I had taken, I should respect—to remain in the Order.” 3_>ut you might regret your conduct—might ” and; hesitating” she bent her eyes to the ground, a roseate flush suffusing her lovely face. He tenderly took her hand, nor did she seek to withdraw it-; but as he bent caressingly over her the sound of approaching footsteps thrilled them both with terror, and raising his head, the novice saw Father Clement standing before him, his wan face distorted °with passion. Quickly drawing down her veil, the beautiful girl vanished into the deep shadow of the surrounding trees. “Follow me,” said Father Clement sternly to the novice, and the latter obeyed in submissive silence. On reaching his own room the Superior said in a hoarse and feeble voice: “I have not strength to speak to you to-night, false and faithless son of St. Ambrose. In the course of a few days you shall be transferred to the parenthouse in Bordeaux to repent of your sin. Meanwhile you must not leave your room. Go and pray for forgiveness.” The Superior dropped into his chair utterly overcome, and Brother Conrad left the room, his mind burdened with painful and perplexing thoughts. On the morning of the fourth day after the above event Father Clement was surprised to receive a visit from Sir Roland Sabine, Bart., who resided about two miles from the College. Sir Roland, a tall, grey haired man of florid complexion, was evidently in a violent passion, and without pausing to exchange the usual salutations, he exclaimed in a voice of indignant remonstrance. “I am inexpressibly shocked to find that a member of your community—but just listen to the facts. Two nights ago my only daughter, Violet, left home in a most mysterious manner, and this morning I received a note from a lady in Yorkshire, a Mrs Langdon. stating that the girl was in her house. The note goes on to say that Mrs Langdon’s son, a

member of your community, was pri to the girl's flight.”

“that cannot be, Sir Roland. I sa Brother Langdon is his room last nigl when I told him to prepare for a jornei which he is to undertake to-day. O: moment, and 1 shall satisfy you on tl subject,” and Father Clement left tl room. He returned in a few second looking greatly distressed and agitated. “Conrad Langdon is gone,” he said a quavering voice. “Yes, Sir Roland, grieve to say the young man has return* to the world ” , "And will probably seek to marry n child. This is shocking 1” “Indeed it is. though from a world, point of view—for the young man is we connected, and has £3OOO a year, an will al-o inherit a large property on tl death of his mother—it may not appes to he so.” ‘ls he. then, one of the Langdons < Yorkshire?” interrupted Sir Roland, h rubicond face now wearing an expressic of glad surprise. Father Clement bowed. And has £iooo a year and expect* lions?” The Superior bowed again. In that case,” added the Barone genially, I think I shall endeavour t overcome mv objections to the match.” ~ And, wringing the cold, thin hand c rather Clement with cordial vigour. Si Roland left the College. Within six weeks from that date Con rad Langdon and Violet Sabine scales] th tender compact of their hearts in Sillei ton Church. , [The End.]