The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-07-04
CHATTER XIII.
MARGARET's BIRTHDAY.

| MARGARET's BIRTHDAY
The story draws to a Close aud there is little
more to tell the rest is such plain sailing that
1T might almost be taken for granted There
Is one little scene, however, pleasant 80 write
and possibly pleasant to read. which took
place on August 18th of that same year, in the
ohnrch ut Sealing; and in e1plAra.ion of
which short account should be given Of what
happened after DR.. James had come TO live in
| New York.
He had taken rooms in that city and began
to work among the poor doing much altboug Oh
with small means. He began to GO regularly
! every day to Miss Testers house in the after.
neon; then they walked and drove together,
| and learned to know each other we'll He was
often with her in the morning, too, and to-
| gether they visited many a sick and sufferip O
| soul, leaving behind them comfort, encourage
ment, and substantial relief. They every week
knet together at the altar of the little French
chapel Margaret loved SO we'll, and received
Gods greatest gift of love to man, and it was
time of pare unclouded happiness
1t was June; ana there had been a week of
| very warm weather. The fasbionables had
fed from the city, shut themselves up in
their houses, excluding every ray of light aud
sun. DR. James, weary from his mornine's
| labors, had been home, refreshed himself a
little, and then, at about five O'Clock in the
afternoon, stood on the steps of Margaret's
house, and was ushered into the shady parlor
The green blinds were closed, the carpets were
gone, cool white mating was on the floors
| and great bunches of roses stood about on
tables and mantel pieces. Margaret came to
meet him, fresh and cool in her light dress
and holding in her hand very beautiful line
! engraving of the Dresden madonna and
Child"
See, DIR. james, what Martha has given me
for q birthday present"
"Why did you not tell me beforehand that
this was your birthday, that might have
given you presentf'
"Truly, because I forget it till found this
on the breakfast table this morning. 1t seems
l told Martha at Shellbeach that this was my
birthday, and she remembered it. Was she not
kindp
II want to speak to you about leaving the
CITY," said the doctor; "the hot weather has
come, and it will not be healthy for you to be
here. The cholera may be about, they say,
and you 60 into places where you will be sure
to catch it,"
$50 do you"
" But doctor is pretty safe be can guard
against infection in great measure"
Well, great many other people stay in
New York and do not get sick. The religious
and priests stay in their houses, and they go
among more wletched people than do"
Yes; but, Miss Lester, you are not re-
tiG'ons; your life has not been wholly conse-
Grated to God, as theirs have"
81 can't see why, because have not a voca-
ton for religious life, that should make any
difference"
Plainly, then. because your life is precious,
If not to yourself, to other people; to ME. 1t
should not be lightly thrown away"
| II shall not throw it away; / don't believe
in contagton. God will preserve my life, if he
wishes it to be spared"
Yes; but God is not called upon to work a
miracle in your behalf; and if you wilfully
expose yourself to danger, he may not inter
pose to avert the consequences"
Margaret was silent, and 4he doctor con-
timed, with an effort:
| - said your life was precious to me and
though you did not notice it, say it again. l
have never had courage till to-day to speak to
you about the letter wrote you at Shellbeacb :;
nut IL Is possible for me to do SO now. You
ala not seem angry at me when saw You at
the wedding. Had you forgotten it, or didn't
you care for my rndepess3" :"
II cared for it; that is, of course, I was
sorry, perhaps hurt; still, not for moment
angry or offended. knew that you were not
cruel but kind, for you told the truth and
any thing except the truth would have been
unkindness. honored you for writing it,"
Yet 1T was not the truth; although in
writing it sincerely and honestly believed il
to be the truth 1 said did not love you 1
believed 1 did not love you; but had no
sooner read ynEr letter than scales scanned to
fall froL my eyes. You see was sure that
you were perfectly Indifferent to me; and
thought you would write me polite letter
expressing friendship, esteem, etc, and regret
IHt had suffered disappointment and then
that you would 60 off to New York and leave
me to support the downfall of my hopes as best
might. was sure of this, and yoBr parting
words that night seemed to confirm me I'm it.
She wishes to part friends, thought to NV.