Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-28


boldly. "Ecco, padre and thin half
whimpered as her mother jerked her
backward by the arm. Father klnsel-
lagh dropped his head to conceal the
tender smile that rushed to his lips
Then he said, sternly. in beautiful ltal-
ian:
"All except Blanca di Pietro go to the
Sunday school. Ill see you there.
The crowd shuffled out of the hall into
the street. leaving alone in the dimness
a slim figure clad in Madonna blue AS
she moved forward in obedience to the
priests reckoning hand her face
bloomed out of the shadows IKE
lovely flower Her dark eyes were low
cred shyly. and there was little l1ft
in her upper lip which made her mouth
pathetic in repose and alluring when
she smiled.
The little fathers face lighted as he
looked at her. There were other girls
and boys in his parish as beautiful
as Blanca but somehow her pure. inno-
cent face. her tender. faraway look. her
sudden trembling smile. always meant
italy to him. He never saw her that he
did not see himself again young Irish
student among the hills Of Tuscany so
loving Italy, and through her all nature
and all people. that he had vowed to
dedicate his life through the church to
her. He remembered the pure nights
of ecstacy on the hills under the white
Italian stars with no sound but the dis
tant tinkle of a sheep bell or me wind
in the trees; and he remembered hours
of quiet joy in ST. Peters Church. with
the great shaft of gold light pouring
down before the high altar: and all
these noble hours had consecrated him
to this work among the poorest and
most sordid of Italys children. He
loved the beauty Of Italy. and avery day
he lived with her ugliness and misery
among those who could never know
that his service to them was an act Of
worship to the beauty he never hoped
to see again.
Blanca made a deep bow to the priest.
gave sidewise glance and smile to Mac
Mahon. but did not seem to see Kate, who
smiled at the neglect
Now. then. Blanca, said the priest, rs
Pasauale-is your father worse?"
''Ah. no. padre" said Blanca. with deep
sadness: he mucha better; he soona be
| WELL and mia madra and 1. we crya.'
What you shameless girl!'' Stormed the
priest lis that the way to talk of your
father"
Blanca had an instinct for the concrete.
She pushed back her blue sleeve and
showed long. ragged cut
He do me thata,' she said, with ex-
pressive gesture. He do mia madra one
when she was keep him from killa my
sisters bambino. He say he killa me If l
tella you"
Father Kinselagh sighed and MacMa-
hon doubled his fists. Blanca smiled at
the gesture as she went on:
But / no minda the beating II he let
me have signori come see me. But no!
am worka for him till he die, he says.
So want him die quicka." she concluded
simply: IF I not marry soon. not get
man..
IL think the mans wits are going"
murmured the father. "I'll speak to him"
"Ah, no padre she pleaded. her little
me to ask to christen the bambino of my
sister this morning. l wanta him called
Michael
Kate stared laughed and then gave
MacMahon dig with her powerful elbow.
"'Taint so.'' he whispered angriy:
she's afther calm ut Father kinsel-
lagh"
And my father saya." went on Blanca;
he saya an l come be your cook to-
morra?''
Yes: come in the morning. Blanca"
said the. little father. seeing in the tail
of his eye how Hates hands flew to her
hips. sure signal of battle. Go home.
child. and say to your sister I'll christen
the baby after Sunday school,
When the door closed on the girl he
gathered himself together to attack Kate
before she could attack him.
Now then. Kate" he cried. 'Pasquale
di Pietro has stirred up the Italians in the
ward. women and men both. as l told
Michael here. II l am to have cheap
peace this jealousy must be settled by
elevating Blanca at your expense. It's
only a month
And you ask me to let that daso into
my Kitchen" interrupted Kate. II won
der at your reverence. I've some respect
fur me pots and pans. anyway. VIII
tell you what she'll give you fur break
fast? Cream puffs and jelly rool! VIII
tell you fur dinner? Jelly rool and cream
puffs, Will l.
whist. woman" muttered MacMahon.
loudly "A little sacrifice like that fur
the Father
Michael will help me, too" said Father
Kinsellagh.
Sure. father" said MacMahon. warm
ly. II often think. begcr. If cud free
Oireland wild wan blow. what a fine wan
I'd take; and twill be the same in helpin'
you kape ordher among thin dagos. It's