ESCAPE FROM THE LIVING DEATH

                  

 INTRODUCTION

What man does not desire to live a more luxurious life?  What man does not desire to live a life of ease and relaxation?  What man does not prefer to live in the company of others without the pains of friendship and love?

 The only man who comes to mind is Mr. Smith.  He is one whom no-one would think of as special when passing him on the street, yet no word or look of his is ever forgotten by those who meet him.  He is a man of character, but not prestige.  He is a man filled with sorrow and at the same time continuously at peace and overflowing with joy.  He is the most common and simple of men, yet the most mysterious and amazing. 

However, he has not always been such a man, and the intent of this story is to tell of how he became what he is…The reader may laugh and think that I contradict myself when I write thus, but the author of this little narrative challenges any interested person to read this story and see if afterwards he still believes these answers are ridiculous.

CHAPTER 1

The life of Mr. Thomas Smith began many years ago in the city of London, when he was given by God to a simple Catholic working man and his sophisticated atheistic wife.  The couple had married outside of the Church two years before his birth, and had never been very happy together (of course anyone can guess why).  While Thomas was yet only four years old a tragedy took place which petrified him for life.

His mother, having been raised in upper-class society, had never been very pleased that her husband could not afford her the same expenses that she had grown up with.  Yet, she would not do any work, and make it a rule that they should always have a servant.  And it came to pass that that after six years of criticism, her husband could bear her clamoring no longer, and decided to leave her to herself.  Thomas never could understand why they had separated, and why he had not been given a say in the matter, but that was how it happened.  He absolutely despised his parents for doing this terrible thing to him, and resolved that he should never marry and possibly make another child suffer thus.

Being left to herself, Mrs. Smith was confused of how to mend her situation and make it livable.  Many of her friends suggested she re-marry, and so she did.  Mr. Gustar Kelby, the man she married, was a dreadful sort of man.  He would often spend the whole night drunk while cursing and swearing to such an extreme that few gentile people would be able to bear the hearing of him.  He was also a thief, a murderer, and child-hater.  Due to this, he arranged for Thomas to be sent to school at a younger age than normal, so as to be rid of him per-say.  Far from being sad, the young boy was happy to be away from his supposed step-father.

He learned to love books, made many friends, and grew up into a normal young man of his age.  He gave no thought to God, lived only for pleasure and self-indulgence, and romantic drama.  All the time through his years of growth, this schoolboy was not very happy at all.  He was always doing activities, but was never satisfied.  Thomas always had plenty of excitement and material goods, yet he felt as if something was missing in his life.  He tried to study an art, however, that did not suit him.  The poor boy attempted to find consolation through conversations with friends, but this did not suffice.  He even made an effort to win the favor of ladies, yet he was never satisfied.

For one who seemed to have everything that the world could give, it might seem most odd that Thomas should feel so helplessly desolate of happiness and contentment.  The older he became the more he was tortured by the feeling that there was no reason for life, and so why not take his own life?  He was given the grace to avoid this tragedy; however, he started to look for outlets to ease his stress and worriment.

When the time came that Thomas graduated from school, his presumed step-father no longer took as much of a dislike to him, and took him under his wing for a little while, until Thomas became even too unruly for him.  The timing of this “reunion” was one of the most terrible things that could possibly have happened, since the young man was currently looking for a channel wherein to vent his passions and feelings of helplessness.  Mr. Kelby taught his supposed step-son that the way to live and be happy was to commit horrifying acts of robbery, drinking, revelry, and cold-blood murder.  The lad, looking around and seeing everyone else doing the same thing among his friends and relatives, shrugged his shoulders and told himself that it must be what he had been lacking, and why he had never been happy before.  To make matters worse, the devil gave young Mr. Smith a false peace and security whenever he committed these crimes, and so began his life of perversity and sinfulness.

CHAPTER 2

“Hey, Tom!” yelled Mr. Kelby as his step-son walked out the door “You had better be home with dinner by noon, or I’ll give you a talking to!”

Tom glared at his step-father and defiantly declared, “As if I care if you get dinner!  And besides, what good are your words!  They can’t do me…”

“Thomas!  How dare you speak to your father like that!” interrupted his mother in anger.

“Father!  Ha!” was the young man’s reply. “He is not my father, and I will never call him such!” He left the house, slamming the door behind him.

          

“Why!  I feel like wringing that boy’s neck!” lividly proclaimed Mr. Kelby.

“He HAS become quite a nuisance!” agree the mother in a similar tone of voice.

“Well, I know what we can do!  Let us leave and allow him to fend for himself, and see how he feels about that!” declared the angry drunkard.

“That IS an idea!  I am all for it!” answered the unkind woman. “We have provided rent here long enough for that boy, he can learn now to pay it for himself!”

 So it was that the two cruel persons left the house that morning with all of their possessions, leaving behind only a chair a cup and a spoon, and those being partially cracked or broken.  Meanwhile, Thomas had walked up to a bakery and noticing that the baker was in the back of the store sneaked seven biscuits into his jacket, and walked out of the store.  Down the road a little ways he came to a fish stand, yet there were too many people watching for him to take any sort of liberties at that location.  He walked on, and coming to a deli, managed to confiscate a large portion of ham.  And seeing the meat master coming up to where he was, he slipped a couple pieces of the meat into the pocket of a man walking out of the store.

+ + +

“Thief!  Thief!”  Shouted the deli man, seeing that some of his ham was missing. 

“Look!  There!  See that man’s back pocket!” Thomas cried out.  “He must be the thief! Police!  Police!”

A huge group of people gathered around the man in question, and while they were discovering that he was innocent, the young Mr. Smith, snuck out unnoticed with his loot.  Returning home with a smirk on his face, he banged the door open and dropped his jaw to the ground.

“What has happened here!” he roared. 

“Mother!  Mr. Kelby!  Are you here hiding somewhere?  What kind of joke is this!” he desperately called out, having no reply.

He sat down in confusion and finished breaking the only chair in the house.  Angrily he threw the piece of furniture at the window, breaking that also.  Then he sat moodily on the floor and began to talk to himself.

“Whatever could have happened to them?”

“None of their belongings are here anymore…”

“Whatever could this mean?”

“Perhaps the police have caught our trail somehow, and they have left in order to save themselves from being taken into the brink!”

“In that case…Why ever am I still here!  I must be gone, before they come back for me!”

Jumping up from the ground, he grabbed the spoon and cup and rushed out the door.  He went to visit a friend of his mothers only to discover that she and his “step-father” had disowned him.  He was shunned by his former friends, and no-one seemed to trust him.  He learned eventually that his parents had spread false rumors that he had been talking of handing all of them over to the authorities for a reward.  Yet, try though he did, Thomas could not convince anyone that he had never considered such a thing in the slightest.

To quell his anger at these people whom he had thought were his friends he robbed, drank, and killed a number of people.  Yet, for once the devil could not even give him peace.  He longed to die.  He desired to find some reason to live; however, everywhere he looked for the means to calm himself, he came back even more unsatisfied than before.

 It was a terrible time for the next few weeks!  He had no one to talk to, no one to yell at him, no one to steal food for!  Mr. Smith was becoming a miserable wretch, and even the devils could hardly stand his presence anymore!  Life looked very bleak, darkness seemed to be enveloping him!  He even began to hate himself!

Thomas started to make friends with beings more evil and despised that his step-father, men whose very sight or presence would give anyone nightmares!  His soul became so ugly and his countenance so menacing that it almost became hard for him to steal, because everyone would so easily suspect him of the most heinous crimes.  Such was his state and it looked as if he would only keep sinking deeper and deeper into promiscuity and immorality until God would not tolerate his existence on earth any longer.

CHAPTER 3

It was a few months later on just as spring was starting to sprout its flowers in the city that Thomas found himself on the streets of London looking for an opportunity to snatch someone’s wallet, and/or some food.  He was considering in his mind what dreadful evil he might do to someone that night in revenge for the cruelty of so many persons to him.  It seemed as if it was like any other day, with its endless desire to do evil to others, yet it was no ordinary day.  Something was soon going to happen to Mr. Smith that would change his outlook on life forever!

“Help!  Help!” rang the voice of a young lady in his ears. 

  

Thomas was shaken out of his day-dreaming by this sound, if planning murders and damage to the property of others can be placed in the category of such.  He often heard men and women crying out that their belongings had been taken from them, or that they were being mobbed by a robber.  He never had really given any of them a thought.  Yet there was something about that voice that caught his full and immediate attention instantly from the time it was uttered.  He turned to see a pretty lass being taken a hold of by two foul rascals. 

“Give us your money, sweetie!”  replied the older of the two scoundrels.

“Oh, please sir!  I have no money on my person!  All I have is for a basket of food for a poor lady and her starving children!” answered the girl.

“Well, we shall see about that!” smirked the younger grinning at her with his yellow teeth, and starting to grab the case from her hand, while the elderly scalawag clasped her tight in his arms.

“Please, sirs!  Leave me alone, and take me at my word!” whimpered the lady, quite in distress at this point.

Usually Mr. Smith would have grinned at such foul-play and then walked on without any more reaction.  Yet something about this lady made him snap out of his normal personality and act like quite a different man.  He rushed to where the conflict was taking place and entered into full converse and combat of words and actions.

“Let the girl go this instant!” he yelled.

“Oh?  What’s you so upset about now, Mr.?  We’re just doing our normal bit of daily work!? Snickered the elderly man Bill.

 “Yeah, and besides, what’s she to you?  Huh?  You look as if you never cared for a person in your life anyhow!  Do you think that we’re going to let YOU get all her money while we watch!  No sir!” challenged Jack putting up his fists and shoving the girl aside.

Thomas became enraged at this point and snarled out the words, “Do you want to fight this out then!?” pulling out a two edged serrated dagger with the symbol of a moon on one side and a sun on the other.

The two men jumped back at the sight of it, and the elder man declared, “WHY, ITS THOMAS SMITH!  Run for it lad if you value your skin!”  And so they fled from the scene as if the devil had lit their tailcoats on fire.

CHAPTER 4

The little lady had been shoved to the ground during the quarrel and hitting her head on the pavement had fainted.  Thomas hesitated, unsure of what to do, then, walking up to the young lady, dabbed the blood off her head and carefully picking her up took her to his house and laid her on his bed. 

After washing her wound more thoroughly, Mr. Smith took in the appearance of the damsel.  She was a healthy and strong girl of higher class than a normal gentleman’s family.  Her countenance seemed more angelic than human, and her attire was strangely more fitting to her gender than any other sort of clothes that he had ever seen women wear.  Her face seemed to be filled with a mix of joy and sorrow.  “What type of woman is this,” he asked himself in wonder…

After a time the young lady’s eyes opened to see her rescuer in front of her sitting on a chair.  She tried to sit up, yet so much pain shot through her head that she was obliged to fall back down on the pillow.  Tears filled her eyes as she opened her lips to speak to him, “Good sir!  How can I ever thank you enough for your benevolence?”

“Do not mention it.  It is certainly the least I could have done.”  he automatically replied softly, quite unlike his normal gruff voice, which shocked himself greatly.

“I pray thee tell me, sir, what is thy name?”  asked the girl.

“My name is Thomas Smith, Miss.  May I inquire as to by what name you are known?”

“I was baptized Gabriella Maria, and name of my ancestral name is De Flores.”

“Baptized?  What does that mean” asked the man in bewilderment and confusion.

“Oh, so you are not a Catholic then!?  I had thought that must surely be so, since you were willing to risk so much to help me.” the girl answered.

“A Catholic?  I have no idea of what you mean…” he replied.

Tears came to Gabriella’s eyes as she began to explain to Mr. Smith the legend of the Savior of the World.  Many hours passed, and though Thomas had never been a good listener, he seemed to be entranced by every word that was uttered by the tongue of this ardent Christian. Finally after completing the story, she realized how late and dark it had become.  Rising, she thanked her rescuer, and said that she must leave.

Thomas rose also, and asked to be allowed to accompany her home lest she be given any more trouble.  He also offered to take her basket of food to the family she had planned to visit, it she would allow it.  Gabriella accepted the proposal and the two wended their ways through the alleys of London.  It was quite a ways to her residence, and being still somewhat dizzy from the accident, it came to the point where she could go no further.  Mr. Smith besought her to let him carry her, the remainder of the way home.  She seemed to want to refuse, but the pain was so intense, and she was so weak that she gave her consent.  She told him her address and, soon after they had continued their journey, she fell asleep exhausted from the pain that still throbbed in her head.

Within about an hour they reached her home, which was a lovely Victorian style house on a hill with boxwoods and flowers blooming everywhere.  Gently waking his little bundle, he placed Miss De Flores on her feet, and stayed back as she proceeded to approach her house.  Turning, Gabriella motioned for him to follow, and as if pulled by an unknown force, he followed her to the step of the mansion.

Once they had reached the door, she asked him if he would consent to meet her family.  He declined saying that he must leave and go perform some errands.

“Dear Thomas!  Will you please at least come and visit me this Sunday around noon?” implored the maiden earnestly beseeching him with her soft eyes.

“As you wish, my lady” he replied, despite his desire to refuse.  Thomas then turned and hurried into the growing darkness.

                            

                                                CHAPTER 5

As Mr. Smith walked through the looming streets of houses he found his way to a poor humble shack that was near collapsing.  Confirming the number of the house, if it could be called such, he reached forward and knocked on the door.  An old lady answered and asked if she could help him.  He handed to her Gabriella’s basket saying, “This is from the lady Gabriella for you and your family.  She begged to be forgiven for not being able to bring it to you herself.”

Tears entered the woman’s eyes as she professed, “May God bless the little dear!  She never forgets us poor folk!”  Then looking up to him added, “Thank you ever so much, good sir.  May I ask thy name?”

“My name is Thomas Smith, Ma’am” he said hesitatingly, fearful that she may have heard of his name before and of his terrible life.

“Thomas?  That is quite a respectable name.  Mine is Isabella Manuela.  Would you like to come in for a little supper?”  She asked smiling.

“Thank you, Ma’am, but I must be on my way.” he answered obligingly, bowing, and then walked off again into the dark streets.

“Whatever has come over me!” he thought to himself.  “For the first time in my life I feel very happy and at peace!  If only I could always feel as I do now!”

So it is that one act of kindness can affect the worst of men and touch their hearts.  One meaningful word can impress itself on the mind of man and lead him on to higher pathways.  And single look of compassion and tears can melt the anger of the most passionately furious tyrant.

CHAPTER 6

Time seemed to pass as slow as a turtle for Mr. Smith as he waited for Sunday to arrive.  He was not very sure why he even wanted to go visit Gabriella at all.  Yet, there was something about the girl that drew him towards her.  He could not explain it even to himself, but who could blame him when even the most knowledgeable poets and writers fail to express similar inclinations in words.

Finally Sunday came and Thomas found himself at the door of the De Flores Mansion.  He hesitated to knock; fearful of the reaction of whoever might open the door might be towards him.  He sincerely hoped that it would be no-one who knew of his dreadful dealings, yet he did not know why he cared so much…Finally he found the courage and rang the door bell.  An elderly gentleman answered, asking his name and business…

“My name is Thomas Smith, and I have an appointment today here with the lady Gabriella De Flores.”

“Ah!  The famous rescuer of our little lady!?  Welcome indeed sir!  Come right in!”

Mr. Smith was led into a delightful parlor filled with religious pictures, statues, and beautiful wonders of art.  Before him sat Gabriella who was speaking with an odd looking man clothed in what seemed to be a black dress.

“What kind of man can this be?” he wondered, but did not have to wait long for an answer to his curiosity.  For, Gabriella and the man both arose to greet him, and she introduced the man in black to Mr. Smith.

“Oh, Thomas!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, “I am so very glad that you were able to come!  This is Father Richard Harrison, the Catholic priest whose Mass I attend every week.  He has offered to instruct you more in matters of the Faith, and to baptize you when you are ready if you should like!”

Turning to the priest she said smiling, “Dear Father, this is Mr. Smith, the man who rescued me from the thieves and murderers.”

“Indeed, sir, I am very pleased to make thy acquaintance,” said the priest, offering his hand for a hearty handshake, and then adding encouragingly, “Do not worry.  We will take little steps and try not to overwhelm you.  Come, have a seat.”

“Thank you, sir.” replied Thomas. “I would greatly appreciate that.  I do wish to know more about the Catholic religion and its practices.”

They all were seated and Father Harrison explained to Mr. Smith the glories, joys, and sorrows of the Faith.  Thomas asked many questions, and Gabriella would add a few comments here and there.  After a couple hours, the priest arose, and said that he must make some other calls before the day was over, and asked them to forgive him for skipping tea.

“Farewell, Mr. Smith!” spoke the priest, arising from his chair, “It was good to have met you!  We must continue our lessons when you are not busy!”

“Indeed, Father, I would like that very much, and would be very grateful to you if you would!” answered the young pagan.

“Please give us they blessing before you leave!” begged the girl “And may God go with thee!”

Father Harrison blessed them, and then made his departure, leaving the parlor to the two young adults.

CHAPTER 7

“Where are your parents?” asked Thomas after they retook their seats.

“Ah…My parents…” said the girl, tears forming in her eyes “My parents are Anglicans and are at their services as we speak.  They are not very happy that I am a Catholic, and do not go with them on Sundays…”

Coming around, Gabriella changed the subject and asked Mr. Smith, “What is your profession of career?”

The man’s face became pale as he answered the lady gravely, “You would be very disappointed, I think, to know what sort of work I do to make a living…”

“Really?  Are you an industrial worker, a coalminer?  A poor man’s job is still noble and needed for society to exist.” She said encouragingly.

He told her, “You will hate me if I tell thee, and I would not like that.”

“Oh, please!  Do not keep it a secret from me, Mr. Smith!” she exclaimed “I do not mind knowing whatever it is, and I will certainly not hate you!”

Thomas hung his head and after a minute of consideration, giving a sigh firmly stated, “I can only tell you if you give me your word that you will never tell another soul of it.”

It was now Gabriella’s turn to take a moment of silence and to think.  Then she said, “I promise that if you tell me what your profession is, I will reveal it to no man or woman on the face of the earth.”

Taking a big breath, Mr. Smith pulled out his signature blade, and looking into the face of the young lady told her slowly, while watching her reaction carefully, “My profession is murder and theft.”

CHAPTER 8

Tears formed in Gabriella’s eyes and burying her face in her hands she was silent…

After a time, the murderer could stand the silence no longer, and broke it by saying, “So, do you hate me now?  I told you that you would not want to know…”

Gabriella finally looked up at him and trying to smile, though tears were still in her eyes, declared, “I do not hate you…I am disappointed, but you can change that!”

“You are mistaken, my lady!  It is too late for me to change.  I am stuck in my ways, and know no other work or life.”

“But…Mr. Smith!  I could aid you in finding a good and honest job, and help you to learn to lead a better life!” she offered encouragingly.

“You do not understand, Gabriella, how much I abhor work and labor, and that I would rather go to hell than have a proper job!” emphatically stated Mr. Smith.

“Oh, Thomas!” whispered Miss De Flores I horror “You cannot mean that!”

“Oh, yes I can!” he retorted. “I have free will, and I do mean it!”

Miss De Flores kept him from continuing in his speech, by solemnly asking him, “Mr. Smith, in return for my promise of silence, will you act upon a request of mine?”

“And what would that be?” he asked curiously.

“Promise to come and visit me every Sunday for the next year, and be educated in the truths of the Faith.”

After a brief stillness Thomas replied, “As you wish, my lady…That request I can grant you as long as you desire me to come.  But, know that you shall never make me a good man.”

“Well, I can at least try, and it shall certainly be worth the effort if there is the slightest chance!…Despite your former life, I see in your heart the potentiality for great goodness, love and compassion.” said Gabriella, smiling.

“Sure…Yet you will surely give up very soon, I reckon…I am very set in my path of sin and perversity.  You cannot save me.”

Laughing, Gabriella declared, “You are right!  I cannot save you…but I believe that God, through my prayers and sacrifices may answer my requests!”

CHAPTER 9

Time passed.  Mr. Smith visited with Miss De Flores every Sunday, and every now and then Father Richard Harrison would join them.  While Thomas was with the devout little lady, he would often become zealous and desire to amend his life, yet as soon as he left, he would lose courage to change and fall back into promiscuity and viciousness.

One day after he had stolen a blue box containing rare jewels from a countess, he was being closely followed by the police, and in order to try to escape, knocked on Miss De Flores’ door and asked to see her.  He left the box without her knowledge on her table, and then soon left, figuring that the police would never look there for it.

However, something took place as a result of this that he had not in the slightest anticipated.  A man had seen him take the blue box into the house, and leave without it.  The person told the police, as they passed by, who then searched the house and found the box in Gabriella’s study room.  She was then taken prisoner by the authorities as a thief.  Since she had promised to never speak of Mr. Thomas and his profession, she could make no defense for herself, and was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in the Tower of London, and her family all deprived her of any inheritance and declared that they would have nothing to do with her ever again.

When Mr. Smith learned of what had happened, his conscience finally hit him hard, and he cried against himself, “How could I have been so cruel as to have brought such a terrible curse upon this person who had been the sweetest of all mankind towards me!  It is all my fault that she now suffers in that terrible place, and is now penniless and has been disowned by her family for the rest of her life!”

CHAPTER 10

As soon as he could, Thomas went to the prison to beg the little lady’s forgiveness…

“A man is here to see you little ruffian!” the jailer announced to Miss De Flores.

Looking up and seeing Thomas, tears started to fill her eyes and she bowed down her head lest they be seen.  The cruel caretaker left the two to themselves, and Thomas feel on his knees and spoke to the sweet little lady, “Dear Miss Gabriella!  How foolish I have been, and now you have lost everything because of me!  How you must hate me for bringing this don upon you!” and bowing his head implored, “Can you ever forgive me?  I understand if you cannot…”

Approaching him she raised up his lowered head until his eyes met hers and said, “I do not hate you…” Then after a second she added, “And I have already forgiven you…”

Still feeling as if he needed to make retribution Mr. Smith declared to her, “I am so very sorry, my dear friend, and I will make amends!  To prove that I am in earnest, I shall this very day apply for a job at this jail.  I shall ask to reside in one of the empty cells and shall come to visit you every day.  I shall send my knife to the metal factory to be melted, and all extra money that I shall obtain through my work, which I do not need to sustain my life, I shall give to the Church and the poor!”

“Oh, Thomas!” cried Gabriella, falling on her knees next to him, trying to keep from sobbing, “If you do as you have said, you shall most certainly make me the most happy person in the entire world!”

So it was that Mr. Smith became quite a different man, unrecognizable by his former acquaintances.  He always showed the greatest kindness to the most terrible criminals in the prisons, though they often spat in his face, insulted him, and cursed the ground he walked upon.  As a result of his constancy, many of them were converted by his edifying example, and resolved to amend their lives upon leaving their imprisonment.  He helped many of them find honest jobs, and restart their lives in a better manner.  His visits were their one joy and consolation during the period of their confinements, and they were often torn to leave him when the time of their sentences were up, men and women alike.  All the while Miss Gabriella was always his favorite, and he always spoke to every one of her goodness and kindness.  He visited her daily and came to learn his catechism as well as a parish priest!

CHAPTER 11

When the five years of Miss De Flores’ imprisonment were completed, she was released, and Mr. Smith asked her to take a walk with him down to the sea shore.  She acquiesced to his request, and finding a quiet little place, the two sat down and watched the seagulls fly over the waves.  After a time, Thomas asked Gabriella, “Do you have any plans for what you wish to do now, my lady?”

“No Thomas…I do not have any idea what I shall do…”  Tears started to come to her eyes as she continued, “My parents and family still refuse to have anything to do with me, and also all of those who once claimed to be my friends…I am so frightened, Thomas!  There are so many evil people in London at night, and I have no place to safely spend the night!  I really feel so lost and confused!  I hardly know what to say or think…”  After saying this she put her hands to her face and wept.

Thomas put his arm around her shoulders and tried to console her. “There, there, now!  Do not cry, my little lady!  I did not mean to upset thee so much!”

“No, it is not your fault, Thomas!” she whimpered “I just can hardly believe that all of my family and friends would ever have done something like this to anyone…”

“Gabriella…It is my fault that this ever happened to you in the first place!  But, where your family and friends are concerned…  That is just the way many people in society treat supposed criminals, and if your family and friends did not do as everyone else, they would be looked down upon…  I am sure that they still love you very much, but are just afraid to show any signs of such!”

“Do you really think so?” she asked looking up at him and sniffling.

“Indeed!  I am positive of it!  No one could help loving thee and wishing thee well!  You give your heart so readily to everyone and ask for nothing in return, but their salvation!  You act as if you are dust and should be trampled underfoot, but in actuality you are like a great queen whose loving heart captivates all of her subjects!”

“Oh, Thomas!” she cried, resting her head against his shoulder, “I do not know whatever I would do without your encouragement and friendship…”

“Do not mention it, Gabriella…I can never repay you back for the sorrow you have endured in prison by my fault, nor can I ever thank you enough for showing me the true faith…speaking of which…Father Harrison has informed me that I am now prepared enough to enter the Faith and be baptized!  His parents shall be my godparents!”

Sitting up straight Gabriella’s eyes shown and she exclaimed, “Thanks be to God!  That is very great news!  The knowledge of this makes me so happy, Thomas!”  Then she added smiling, “Do not worry about me, Thomas, I shall manage somehow!”

Suddenly Thomas became very solemn and looked out over the ocean in silence, as if deep in thought…

CHAPTER 12

“Is there something bothering thee, Thomas?” the little lady asked him in a worried tone of voice after he had solemnly gazed for nearly five minutes straight into the distance without uttering a sound.

Collecting his thoughts he turned to her smiling and said, “I am sorry…I was just thinking…”

“Well, do not think so hard!  It looked for a minute as if you might burst your brains!” she offered teasingly.

He laughed and said, “Very true!” then, taking her hands into his, he said, “Gabriella…I have had an idea for your safe-keeping…”

“Oh, you need not trouble yourself so much on my account, Thomas!  You have already been so very good to me!  More than I deserve!” she earnestly told him.

          

“No…Not as good and kind as you have been to me, and I much more less deserve even a kind word from you!” he replied.  Pausing a second to reconsider he continued, “But, come to think of it…It was not an idea that would at all be to your liking anyhow…”

She laughed and asked curiously, “Come, tell me at least what this idea of yours was that made you suddenly so solemn, and tears for in thy eyes?”

“It is no matter…” he declared “It was just a dream…Nothing more, and shall be forgotten…The possibility of its happening in actuality would be almost as impossible as Satan becoming a good angel again.”

She laughed and said, “Well, now you have to tell me of what you mean!  Besides, nothing is impossible with God!  You never believed that it was possible that you would be able to change your life and convert either!”

“Yes, but I am afraid that my telling you any of it would cause great pain to you and perhaps destroy our friendship…”

“Thomas!  Whatever do you mean!” exclaimed Miss Flores, as tears started to form in her eyes, “Why do you not speak in English, rather than in riddles?  

Did you not trust me before when I told you that would never hate you!?”

Mr. Smith hung his head saying, “It would only cause you pain and uneasiness, Gabriella!  Please do not ask me to tell you!”

“But, Thomas!  I would rather know what is troubling your mind and die from it, than suffer not knowing!” she exhorted him “Please, I beg you!  Leave me not to melt away with wondering for the remainder of my life!”

CHAPTER 13

Now it was Mr. Smith’s turn to bury his face in his hands.  Miss De Flores pulled them from his face and looking into his eyes firmly begged, “Please, tell me everything Thomas!  I implore thee!  I shall not hold it against you, whatever it is that you had been thinking of…”

“Oh, Gabriella!” he cried, as tears formed in his eyes...

“What it was, is that I love you with all of my heart that does not belong to God, and had considered for a second that I might ask you to be my wife.  Then you would always be there to encourage me, and help encourage me in the devout life to the end of my days.  For, I am afraid that without your daily support, I may not have the strength to persevere in good Faith, and might return to my evil ways!  In return, I had thought that I would offer to work hard to support you and any children God might bless us with.  Thus, you would have a place to live, safe from the world and its horrors, while also continuing to be of assistance to my salvation…Yet, I know that I cannot ask this of you…It is so little to give you, and you deserve so much more!  I will never be rich, and so you would be obliged to live a life of poverty.  And on top of all of this, I am such a terrible sinner, and I shall never deserve one single crumb of love in return from thee!  I am sorry my lady, for the grief this surely causes thee!  Know that I only told you because you insisted.”  

He then hung his head, and placed his hands over his face.

The silence did not last long.  Gabriella, took his hands from his face, and after kissing them, raised his head, and spoke to him, wiping the tears that had started to form from his eyes, “Thomas…Once again, you are wrong…Nothing is impossible with God!...I have loved you from the day that you stood up for me in the streets and saved me from those rascals!  It is true that at first it was only love of gratitude, but as you grew in wisdom and kindness, I grew to love you more and more!  Yet, I had almost begun to think that it was impossible you could ever love me though!  Are you truly earnest in when you say that you do love me?  And would you perhaps consider having me as thy wife, now that you know that my heart has always been yours all of these years!  Or…Do you wish to break my heart along with yours!?”

Thomas’ eyes again started overflowing, but this time with joy, as he replied, touching her tear-filled checks, “Gabriella!  You have just now made me the happiest man in the world!  Are you sure that you truly love me, and that this is not some dream that I will soon wake out of?”

Laughing with joy, she kissed his hand and affirmed, “It is no dream unless it is that I am the one dreaming that you really love me! If you should truly so wish it, I shall be yours from this time till death!” 

Mr. Smith laughed also and declared, “Thanks be to God that you always so stubbornly make me tell you everything!  It has saved me from so much unnecessary sorrow!”

Miss De Flores returned the grateful stanza by one of her own, “And thanks be to God that we both shall be able to live in poverty as the Holy Family did, and aid each other every day in the ways of becoming saints!”

The two then laughed, arose, and went to inform their parish priest of their intentions…

Within a few months, they were married by Father Richard Harrison in a little chapel.  None of Gabriella’s family came, but a large group of souls who had been touched by the kindness of the couple attended the wedding.  After the ceremony, they moved to a little shepherd village and spent the remainder of their days in happiness and perfection.  Their children grew up in sanctity, and many of them embraced the religious life, two of whom became priests.  Their example saved many marriages from ruin, and many souls from utter corruption, and to the end of their days Thomas and Gabriella Smith were as a beacon of light and edification to all of those who met them. 

THE END