The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-12-19

To those who are racked with physical torture
there Is, usually the certainty that there will be re-
covery, or that death is near. And to those who
grieve at the bedside of their loved ones there is
the consolation Their sorrow is great who
knee by the bier of their nearest and dearest but
they may at least pray for the one who has gone
from them with some hope that they are tightening
his suffering. But she who sits through the long
night waiting, waiting for the return of unsteady
feet, the sound of thick voice, the caresses or
perhaps the blows, of a man who is become brute
she has prayed before; she has hoped till the
powers of hope are gone; she may keep her Faith
and hope for the world to come there is no hope
Tor this world-nor may she console herself that
the. next is at hand. If there be a crcum-
stance more tragic than hers-I would rather not
know it.
The little clock emitted warning whirr. then
began to strike again. The woman sat up and
listened till its eleven strokes were accomplished
And then she formed desperate resolve. Never
before had she gone out to bring Tom home. She
would do SO tonight She would find him in some
one of the glded saloons. Shame at the glances of
the red-faced men would not deter her Fear of
the wrath of a drunken husband would not keep
her back. With hasty glance to see that the lit
tie ones still slept, she drew the hat and coat
she might have to pawn for the necessares of life
before the end of a week
She reached the street in time to hear the last
stroke of the chimes in the church tower. With
that attention to details of which strained mind
is so wonderfully capable, she reflected that her
own timepiece fast. Across the first corner,
she could see the lights of palace of alcohol She
started past the church to reach it, She noted with
surprise that the windows OF the church were still
alight. Then she remembered the numbers of con
LESSONS that were to be heard. She felt an i'm
pulse to enter the open door and pray for success
in finding the man who breaking her bruised
heart.
he hDr ed nv he Of
at the boxes Far up to the front she went. Has
tily she bent her knees before the Presence on the
high altar she made her way toward the crib at
the right. She knelt down before that representa-
ton of the one perfect Family. She gazed mutely
at the Babe in the manger, at the kneeling Mother
and Foster Father, Then she whispered a quick
Hail Mary" "Oh, Mother of God" she added
tercey-"lt YOU have the power to help us wretch
ed children of your Son. help me to have my fam
lily little like yours; and help me now to find
Tom"
She traced upon her breast the sign of the
greatest suffering of all that mankind has ever en-
dured. Then she turned about to go out by the
aisle opposite to that bv which she had entered.
Here. on the other side were lines of penitents
at the entrances to each confessional In passing
one her attention slightly drawn by the open
ing of the door.
A man was having more or less difficulty in
backing out of the spacN while firmly grasp
ing huge bundle in either arm. At first she did
not recognize the clothes he wore. Then she
remembered the brown thy had spent so much time
that afternoon in selecting. 1t was Toni
Drawing close behind the shelter of one of the
pillars, she waited until he had deposited the cum
bersome packages a seat and knelt to say his
penance Then she hurried home.
"a few minutes afterwards she heard the click
of the lock at the door of their new apartment.
She made hasty dab at her eyes and glanced into
the mirror the imitation fireplace before she
turned to meet her husband.
There's the things" said the CHEEKY voice of
the reformed man. You wasn't worried none.
you? l thought I'd drop into the church SOS
TO go to Holy Communion with you in the morn
in"
The little clock struck once more as they we're
opening the big bundles. merry Christmas" cried
Tom he boldly seized the kiss he would not have
dared give with even the smell of liquor on his
breath.
"The merriest in our lives quoth Mrs Nor
row, she smiled through suspicious moisture in
her eyes.