Angels and Women (1924)

46 ANGELS AND WOMEN"SIN,DESPAIR, DEATH"Through a mist of tears the last look ofmortal eyes was now bestowed upon the forsakenbeauty of the Lost Paradise.OMENSTurning toward the altar, my father liftedhis voice in solemn confession and prayer.We then removed to the boat, and waited ata distance, repeating in the usual form of ouroblation:"Accept, most Holy God, the offering ofthy sinful but repentant creatures, and givethe gracious token by fire."A moment of breathless suspense, and theanswer came---but in a manner which filledus with terror. A fearful rumbling likesubterranean thunder was heard; the earthshuddered; the rock heaved and with a loudexplosion burst asunder. Fierce flames andsulphurous vapors rushed upward from ayawning chasm, and downward from the