The morning call., 1890-08-10
A WEIRD TALE OF
SUPERNATURAL GUARDIANSHIP.
The 1--we That Lasted After De0H--7he Watch Mother
in Heaven Kept Over Her Son on Earth.

round it only in its perfect eleanliness-for
on entering nothing but the plainest and
most necessary furnishings are to be found.
One bitter night early in February there
sat in the hardly furnished sitting-rnom a
young priest. He was evidently expecting
some one, and some one he loved, for from
time to time he stirred the fire and looked
with something like a sigh at the meager
meal which was prepared on the table.
must not put on GOALS" he said to himself,
''for if the fire is really bright when he
comes in he win grudge himself the warmth.
I dare not make ready comfortable meal,
Tor he will grudge himself the food. 1t is
always so, for he thinks that he alone can
do without rest, warmth and comfort, for
oh. how tender and thoughtful he is about
every one else"
As he sat down again the door open ed to
admit a tall, powerful man, looking weary
beyond words md wet TO the skin. 1t
needed not his clerical dress to assure any
who saw him what his calling was; for, in
terestng as his face must have been under
any circumstances, it was rendered beauti-
full by the beauty of holiness, aud the
strength and sweetness mingled In 1t made
it like the face Of an angel
Dear BROTHER" he said, as he came in,
can ~ Jul uO lDUlG bllo ulbAts III my
body is so weary and my heart so sore that
/ feel helpless and dispirited as l have
rarely felt before. The sin and the suffer
ing, the wretchedneSs and poverty, and,
above all, the CRY of the children. are break
ing mt heart. And if mine-Oh, thou loving
Shepherd what must the suffering be to
thee, in thy perfect purity and unequaled
tenderness? How long, o Lord, how
long?"
lie sank down on a chair and buried his
face in his hands for few moments, while
the Younger priest looked at him sadly and
anxsously. II was so unusual for Father
Warren's face to be clOuded. and so rare for
his spirit to be respondent, that lie felt sure
something was wrong, and that 0YeTWOrk
and constant exposure were beginning to
tell even on his magnificent health ana
frame. "Now, dear father" said he be-
seeehingly, do put on dry clothes and rest
this evening, and take long, quiet sleep,
for If you persist in this constant self-fOr-
getfulness you will have to give up work
altogether, and think no greater trouble
could befall you and US than that"
We'll, truly, replied Father Warren, Il
am resolved TO go out no more this night,
for though the spirit is willing, the flesh Is
weak" lie had hardly finished speaking
when a ring was heard at the door, and the
servant entering, said: Father, a lady
desires to see you, and begs you will not
refuse her"
Let me CO." said the young priest,
Jumping up. 1T is too hard, this perpetual
importantly. 1 will speak to her and tell
how unfit you are to do anything or see any
one this evening"
DO so, my son" said Father Warren, 'but
let it be courteously and gently said, as
BELTS those who speak in the name OF
gentle and never weary Master.
The young man crossed himself ana LETT
the room. He returned, however, after a
few minutes with disappointed and some
what mortified air.
SHE Will have none of me, dear father,
butdesires to see you and you only, and in
very truth l feel myself asking for her.
her pleading is so touching and her long
lug so earnest that have gone over to her
side, and can resist her wish no longer"
Father Warren rose briSkly and said: DO
not let her wait moment longer L feel
60 blame that she has waited 50 long al
ready. Bring her in at once, | pray YOU"
aud while the priest hasteued to obey he
placed a chair near the fire, and, mutterlng
% himself, Neither turnett deaf ear to
any poor man." he put the teapot on the
table and prepared to receive cordially the
unexpected visitor
The door was gently opened by tall
lady dressed in black. She was exceed
ngly fair to.see, beautiful in feature and
caIsiage beyond most women, but there
was an ineXDressible charm far beyond
even that-a dignity and perfection Of man
Ter and appearance such as Father Warren
had never seen before.
Advancing toward him she said in a low,
clear and melodious voice: Forgive me,
dear. father, for disturbing you so late, and
on such a night, but no other could fulfill
50 well the mission which | ask you to un-
dertake. VIII you come with me to bring
comfort and happiness TO departing and
erring soul? Ana will you bring the holy
Sacrament with you, that, having confessed
and. been absolved, he may go hence in
prace?'
"Dear LADY," answered Father Warren.
81 have not eaten since this morning. My
clothes are. wet through, and l AIN very
weary Another priest OF God, more
worthy than l, shall go with you.
Nay" said she, looking wistfully at him,
i pray you go with me yourself, for to you
was L. sent, and the time is very short. l
jeseech you . come with me and make no
delay i The love of the Blessed Mother
1gr her Sun, by the love Of that Son for all
BIS clEuE children, IimplOre you come with
fne, ANA come quickly"
Size plesded so earnestly and tenderly,
rd yet Lin something Of authority in her
3He tia the father yielded, and, forget
Ing III bIt her anxiety, and that some one
laQ nese OF MN, he hastily put Oh cloak
atd leii the house with her.
A strong bling wind and sharp, seety
raIn raade walking difficult and CONVERSE
u0n almost impossible, so he followed the
lady silently as they sped quickly along the
1arp0w streets. Father Warren could not
20 marvel exceedingly that the lady did
OF seem TO be aware of the wind nor rain
or anything round her, but with firm tread
nj bead erect she walked calmly and
quietly though very rapidly on.
SIZE moved as one with a set purpose,
while q smile Of hope frightened her grave
E8ce.
AT last, after walking thus for a consider
IDLE distance, they came to one Of those
uaiet, old fashioned squares, once the
CHOSEN residence of the wealthiest 1zeifTiion-
H.HHN No 4 -r.-N-. g. -
1hs crowded center~JI the huge city.
o"' 2sOpeed at one Of the houses, and,
shocking firmly and decidedly at the door,
she turned round to the priest and said: " /
have shown you the place and told you Of
tie sore need of one who lives there. l can
do no more, and must 90 now. May the
blessing OF God the Father, the love of God
tie Son. and the help of God the Spirit 60
with you now"
She turned rapidly away and was QUICKLY
cut Of sight, leaving the priest little be
WIldeTed at receiving so solemn blessing
from lady and a stranger, and yet, with
the feeling that there was nothing unsuta-
Die or unbecoming in her giving it.
Before, however. he had time to collect
his thought or explain to himself what he
really felt about it all, the door was opened
by a stout. comfortable, respectable SER
want, who seemed rather astOnished at his
appearance have been summoned to a
DYING bed" he said; pray take me at once
The woman looked perpleyed and an
swered: !" There amt no dying beds here.
nor hasn't been this long time. Thanks be
10 heaven, we're all well in this house. sirp
There must be some mistake" replied
Father Warren, " for / was conducted here
by lady who fetched me herself to the very
door and was in much anxiety and haste"
:" There's no lady got no right to fetch
any one here, and mistake there surely is"
said the woman, rather testify; but, looking
al the priest and recognizing his holy char
acier, she went on: "But you had better
come in and explain it to the young master,
Tor sure am l he wouldn't like a beggar
turned from the door on a cruel night like
ms, let alone holy man like you, as is
Wen known to the poor and needy" So
saying, she led the priest into most COM
PORTABLE room, where was seated alone q
young man, evidently waiting for his din
ner, preparations for which were on the
table before him. WV
This reverend gentleman have been led
brought out Of lis 'ome, where better he
would have been on night like this. as