The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-10-24
He retraced his steps.


Il must see the church again. he said.
And, passing slowly along the streets he APP
preached the church of ST. CIotilde. Every garden
wall, every house recalled his youth the mother he
had lost, the betrothed he had deserted Doubtless
she had long been the wife of another. He had re-
turned to Andeys to settle business belonging
to the estate of his father he had dreamed that
any regrets tender recolections would intrude
themselves
The Angelus bell began to ring; reverberating
through the frosty air. it struck other latent chords
of memory.
81 wish the two hours were past" he thought.
81 cannot bear it here"
Fastening away, he went in another direction.
The sun began to shine brilliantly Suddenly the
stranger halted He had perceived behind the
cleaning windows the beautiful, thrifty little plant
the former traveller had noticed months before. He
recognized it at once, and the house in front of
which he stood.
90 my God" he exclaimed. at still lives and
blooms aften ten long years"
Then cautiously approaching nearer, he saw
Bertha Industrious y working. Her head was bent
her fingers swiftly moving Alas! This was not
the fresh, joyous Bertha to whom he had said at
parting: "Wait for me. [ shall return rich and
we shall be happy" But yeti was Bertha--there
had never been anyone like her.
As he gazed, little boy ran into the shop from
the room behind, and climbed upon her knee. The
traveller shrank back, almost knocking down an old
Il beg your pardon! Have l hurt you?" he
asked solicitousy.
Not at all, Monsieur, am Just going in here
to see Mile. Bertha"
you said Mile. Bertha. mother2"
eyes, Monsieur-Mlle Bertha Maury"
"She is not married, then Whose child is that
she has in her arms z"
at is the child of her sister Monsieur She is
dead and Bertha is little Paul's second mother"
The traveller waited till the old woman came
out of the shop, and then he entered Bertha looked
up from her sewing. She had not forgotten him
he had changed but little looking more prosperous
and even handsomer than when she had last seen
him 1t was he who grew pale while her thin cheek
flushed.
BERTHA he said, extending his hands.
But she placed only of hers in his right,
little timidly, one might have said almost reluc
family.
"Armandr' came slowly from her lips.
Il am rich" he burst forth awkwardly. "Will
you forgive me-and Gomez"
Long ago forgave you" she replied-"if there
were anything to forgive But here is my home and
my VOCATION
"You are proud Bertha" he said, wrinkling his
stern brows, his cheek flushed darby. "And yet"
he continued, glancing at the window, your &C
lions belle your words. You have kept the flower I
gave YOU so long ago You have cared for it and
cherished it, and see how it fourishesw
She looked at him calmly
Would you have me destroy it, Armand?" she
replied. at was not / who crushed and wounded
the flower OF love ten years ago; why then, should
have tr"mpl"d Hpon 'ts symbol. its one memory?
All, no! | could never have been so cruel"
lie did not answer, but turned quickly and left
her, When he had gone, she went into the little
bedchamber where the child now law sleeping. Soft
ly kissing him upon the forehead she looked at him
lovingly for a moment, and then returned to her
sewing.
Winter again, and the traveller who had first no.
md Jn,ire +Ia wi 4,
more at Andelys. In his wanderings about the
town, curiosity led him toward the bright windows
of the patient seamstTess, whose mild kind face he
had never forgotten.
The flower still bloomed in the window, which
brightly polished as of old. He lifted the
latch and entered, but strange face greeted him
that of an old woman in black silk cap, wearing a
little shawl about her shoulders.
''Where is Mile Bertha 2" he asked
"She is no longer here" was the reply. 81 have
taken over the shop, and can, perhaps accommo-
date Monsieur, although | keep but few things,
if any, that gentlemen can use"
where has she gomez" inquired the stranger
Married, perhapsw
ooh. no." was the rejoinder. "She never had a
thought of marriage, since | have known her. Lit.
tie Paul. her adopted child died last spring of pneu
monia and Mile Bertha has gone TO be Sister OF
Charity. Can | serve Monsieur"
81 see you still care for her plant" said the Wis
itor. THAT would please her."
ooh, yesw replied the old woman ~ shall new
er forget to do that Monsieur. She priced it much
No doubt it was left her by her mother"
The stranger made some purchases, and then
turned to pursue his way. But he paused in front
of the window moment for glimpse of the green
and white blossoms saying to himself as he gazed:
This wonderful place that seems to thrive as
well in winter in summer, should be called the
flower of Affection 1t looks as though it might
live forever"
For Yellow Dogs Sake.