hose who for seven years did
not confess; although if they died in that sinful state there was no
hope of salvation for them. As for the devil, you remember the priest
said that he had not the power to change a man into a wolf or an
animal of any kind, and--"

"Speak not like that, Baptiste," broke in his wife with fear in her
eyes; "the evil one may hear what you say, and out of mockery to the
Church, cause the evil to fall upon him." With piteous haste she made
the sign of the cross on her bosom, and instinctively her husband did
the same.

Although it was near midnight they had not lit the lamp, for the moon
that poured in at the window made the cottage almost as light as
noonday.

"Husband," she went on in a tone of conviction, "why should we try to
deceive ourselves? for we know that it is true. Father Benoit is sorry
for us and would give us comfort. It may be that the curse is not from
the Church, but the devil knows when human beings are forsaken by the
blessed Church, and if he can change them into animals and keep them
so till death, then he is sure of their souls; even the blessed Mother
then can do nothing for them."

Baptiste raised his hand beseechingly, as though he would fain have
her cease, but she only drew still closer to him and continued
quickly:

"Have we not known it since we were children? Did not our parents
believe in it? Even if we had not been told these things, we know it
is true. Have you forgotten Arsene Bolduc, Baptiste?"

Again he raised his hand, mutely protesting, but she did not heed him.

"It is only three years ago that it happened to Arsene. He, like our
boy, had not partaken of the blessed sacrament for seven years. You
know how he blasphemed and drank, and grew wickeder every year, till
finally the very last night of the seventh year came, and just a few
minutes before twelve he became possessed of the devil, and beat his
mother, and then ran out of the house and was never seen again. And
why was he never seen again, Baptiste?" She was getting strangely
excited, and her voice was rising.

"For the love of the Virgin, cease, wife?"

But she was now far too excited for him to have control over her, and
went on:

"When Arsene did not come back, his father thought the evil one had
turned him into a wolf; but his mother said she believed he had been
changed into a bull, and we know she was right, for a few days later
you helped, with the other men, to drag out of the riv