THE DEMON'S STRATAGEM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2298, 2 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE DEMON'S STRATAGEM.

A nous bishop was devoted to his patron saint, St. Andrew, and lived an exemplary life. A demon, who was struck with his virtue, longed to test it. Taking the shape of a young woman of rare beauty, he appeared, dressed as a pilgrim, at a door. She asked permission to confess her faults to the bishop, who answered that the young woman could talk with the penitentiary, who had all his powers. But she replied that, for particular reasons, she could only open to the bishop the secrets of her conscience. The bishop was obliged to receive her, and the lovely woman was brought into his presence. " Sir," said she, modestly advancing, " deign to receive with compassion an unfortunate girl, who comes to you from a great distance, brought by tlic fame of sanctity. Youni; us I am, the issue of royal blood, delicately reared, I have come here in a pilgrim's habit, hoping to Mini refuge in your protection. My father U a powerful king, who lias promised iim in marriage to a prince. I could not consent to such a union, since I am consecrated tn Jesus Christ. I said the proposition only inspired me with honor. Then they shut me up to force me to yield. I secretly ran away. I only wish to live iu retirement to await the delights of heaven, far from the storms of the world."

The prelate was full of admiration for such a beautiful person, such pietv, such strength of soul, which pleasing language, and he answered : " Live here, my daughter, iu security and hope. He, for the love of whom you have scorned the splendors and vanities of the world, will give you his consolations. While I have suitable rooms prepared for you, you must share in our repast served at this hour."

'' My father," responded the penitent girl, " I dare not accept your invitation. It would make scandal to have your holiness seen at table with me alone, and I would not, for auything in the world, injure your reputation."

She played her part well. The delighted bishop said : "We shall not he alone at table, my child ; that is what allowed me to invite you."

At this moment the guests entered ; they were all venerable priests. They sat down at the table; the beautiful pilgrim was placed opposite the prelate. They were all charmed with her noble air, her spirit and grace. But all the time she was simulating great piety she was flashing penetrating glances, that began to stir their hearts. She already understood, from the way the good prelate gazed at her, that she had succeeded in agitating him, when there came a loud knocking at the door. A servant announced that a. stranger wished to appear before the prelate. The priests, wishing T.o do honour to their princess, asked h»v if she felt willinir to admit, in such hitrh company, the person believed by the servant to be a, pilgrim. As the prelate showed that he approved of this defereuce to the wishes of his fair visitor, she <rraciously replied: " Let us ask him an enigma. If he can solve it we will iiliow him to come in." She said we because she felt the progress she had made. The idea struck them as a happy one, and the beautiful girl who showed so much wit was begged to ask the question which the pilgrim would be required to answer. She immediately turned to the servant with a benevolent smile, completely dazzling him :

" Ask the stranger," said she, "what is the most admirable of the works of God in the smallest space ?''

The stranger sent back the answer

" The variety and excellence of the face of man Among so many millions of creatures who have appeared and who will appear upon enrth, there never have bpen and never will be found two which are entirely similar. In the very smallest face God has placed the!expression of all the senses." "That is a good answer," said the fair pilgrim. '' Ask that man a second question—a harder one. Ask him where the earth is higher than the heavens ?" The stranger returned the message that the highest spot is where is found the divine body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which reaches from e.trth to the highest heaven," This second solution was much admired, and by the advice of the priucess they asked the wise unknown a still more puzzling riddle: " What is the distance from earth to heaven ?" Uhe pilgrim replied: " Ask the woman who suggested that question to answer it herself. She can do it; she went that distance when she was cast from heaven into hell " At these words, which fell like a thunderbolt from the messenger's lips, the lady, who was only a demon, immediately disappeared. The good bishop, horrified, rushed to the door to receive the stranger, but found uo one there. The following night he learned, by a revelation, that it was his dear patron, St. Androw. He redoubled his zeal for him, and assembling his people in tho church, he related all this adventure to the croud of the faithful, who returned thanks to God and to tf ; s saiuts.—Translated from the French. "