The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-05-24
A Story for Our Lady's Month.

The rain had abated, and there was a
faint light from the moon. Margaret
hurried on, her Rosary clasped tightly
in her hands, her heat beating fast.
She tried to say her Rosary for the
dying girl, and to quiet herself, and
had almost succeeded when she heard
rough voice salute her and by the
dim light recognized Jim Salter, one OF
the worst characters of the village.
Wen, my pretty maid, and where
are you going at this time of night?''
ITO fetch the priest and the doctor
for Miss Francis, who is dying" said
Margaret "Oh. for the love of God
and our lady, don't hinder me-" and
she turned her white, imploring face to
the man.
"A likely story you'd be sent on such
an errand! You're just out on your
own account and are ashamed to own
it" Poor Margaret shook like an as
pen leaf, but answered firmly: Il
would not go out at night except to
help the dying for anything in the
world; oh, please help me and show me
the way to the priests house that Miss
Lucy may not die without the last sac
raments.'
Il help you. why, don't you know [
am the NOISl man III the PAL 1911
But your lady loves sinners and will
reward you if you help me-
And if l do, Will you pray for me?"
said the man in changed tone and
with a look of respect at the pure sweet
face raised to his.
Il will say my Rosary for you every
day for a year. she answered, eagerly
'WiH you, really?" and the rough
voice shook. We'll, l guess it's a
precious long time since any one prayed
for me: my old mother used, but she's
dead long ago-God rest her SOUL
Perhaps she is praying for you in
heaven now" suggested aMrgaret.
"Pr'aps. You needn't fear, my girl:
I'll take every care of you, and it
shan't be my fault if priest and doctor
don't get to Elmfield tonight.
And so these strange companions
went on through the darkness together
and when a little later they met a
group of tipsy men, he drew her as
gently as her own father might have
done, into a quiet lane to avoid them,
and showed her a short way to the
presbytery.
There" he said, as they reached the
door. "mayhap the priest wouldn't
have come for me, and ] don't care to
face him Just yet; but the doctor will,
so lust YOU go back with the father,
and I'll bring the doctor in no time
He did not wait to be thanked, but
strobe off into the darkness
The dawn was just breaking as Mar
raret in the company of the priest.
and of one greater and higher still.
who stoops to visit our poor dwellings
in our hour of utmost need, entered
once more the gates of Elmffeld. The
doctor met them at the door, and, rev.
erentlv kneeling. whispered to the
priest that there was no time to lose.
They found Miss Francis supported in
her mothers arms, the death damp on
her brow. but radiant smile came
over her face as she saw the priest,
and then for an instant looked CRATE
fully at Margaret.
Margaret found Esther in the kitchen
trying to prepare breakfast, but still
white and trembling. She threw herself
into her sisters arms, eXclaiming, 'Oh,
Maggie, am glad to see you safe; no
wonder our blessed lady has helped
YOU for you deserve it, but +" and
she sobbed passionately.
Hush, dear" said Margaret softly.
"Our dear Lord has come to give Miss
Lucy strength to pass through the val
ley of the shadow of death, let US praise
and thank him.
II did not know it was such an awful
thing to die, and Miss Lucy is younger
than / am: as l knelt there watching
and heard her mother praying for her,
1 wondered what would have become
of my soul if l had been in her place.
You were right when you said, Maggie,
that ] could keep this month in our