The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-07-10
THE TYRoLEAN CRuCIHx

ny ana Ihe young people, tired of enforced seclu-
SION nad donned their waterproofs and gone out
Tor walk Thee months ago they had been stran
gers but, with their elders thew had now hoo,
traVeLng together for nine weeks and felt as
though they had knowneach other for lifetime.
Inere were SIX IN the party-the Parkers Gamer
leans = with their only daughter, and the Winstons
lEngllsh people,, with their son. Herbert Winston
had been educated at Stonyhurst: his family had
been Catholics from time immemoria and while
their religion was altogether unobtrusive it was
vital part OF their lives The Parkers on the con-
5rary, were members of that great company which.
Tor want of a better name its votaries style the
Broad church." and broad indeed it is
In the beginning 1t had never occurred to the
Wlnstons that there danger in the constant
intimacy of their son and Natalie Parker But of
late 1t had caused the mother some disouietude.
Natalie was beautiful and charming girl with
Just enough independence of character to render
her very attractive to the somewhat conservative
young Englishman, who, up to the present time,
had seemed Indifferent to all girls. The elder Win
stOns would not have objected to an American
daughter-in-law, but they had decided objection
to a Protestant wife for their only son. That very
morning Herbert had confded to his mother his
affection for Natalie and his desire of making her
his wife.
But. Herbert" she had said. while like her
very much, and acknowledge that she is charming,
she is not Catholic. The Winstons have always
married Catholics To me, the fact of her being a
Protestant is almost insurmountable barrier to
- marriage between you
"Oh, no. mother!" rejoned Herbert. confidently.
Il can't say of course, whether she for
not but if she does, everything else will be easy
She is really not Protestant-the Parkers do not
belong to any church That gives a good start.
Her mind free from bias. be the more readily
trained to accept the truths of religion | real
ly do not anticipate the least difficulty from that
quarter. All | fear is that she may not enough
for me to marry me. [ wanted to speak to you
first you'll mention it to father for me, and then
a1J IN Mr.
word to Natalie
Il am glad you are taking the old-fashioned way
about it." said Mrs. Winston. Nowadays every
thing Is usually settled before the parents con-
suited
We'll. may be bit old-fashioned" replied the
young man. Il believe. however, it is the best way.
From which it may be inferred by the up-to
date reader that Herbert Winston something
of a prig, which would be far from the truth. In
ordinary matters he very independent and
broadminded individual; but true to his tradition
and training. he regarded the in point some
thing above the ordinary-in which he was right.
At the same time, in their apartment, Mrs.
Parker was conversing on the subject with
her daughter.
Natalie l think Mr. Winston is deeply inter
ested in you. Unless you reciproeate the feeling,
you ought to be on your guard. He is too fine fell
low to be treated badly"
Il do not intend to treat him badly, mamma;
| like him very much-far better than any one
have ever seem.
Gould you marry him."
Natalie screwed her pretty eyebrows together,
81 am sure ] could" she replied after a moment.
He is as good as he can he, good-looking too, and
we are very congenial. I think I could spend my
life with him very happily; [ don't at all believe
I should tire Of him. He has TODD the test of con-
slant companionship and travel splendidly, and
do not think there is more exacting test. You
know | don't believe much in the nonsense about
passion. and so forth; my education has fitted me
for something different. But | am surprised my
self at the feeling with which l regard Mr.. Win
ston.'
"Co-education units women for much that
older generation possessed" said Mrs. Parker. ct
makes girl cold-booded"
eyes, I think you are right" answered Natalie
But it makes her self-reliant also, and that IS
what the majority of women need.
"The Winstons are Catholics" resumed Mrs.
Parker vaguely, after moments. I'VE have
not known many Catholics, Natalie [ have always
had an idea they were different, somehow. But they
are not in any way peculiar, are they mean the
WinstonsW ,
ooh no. mamma quite broad and very cultured!
We don't live in the Middle Ages, you know We
had Catholic girl in our class at college-a Miss
Omdigan. She was extremely clever. One of the
orls said her name was really O'Madigan, but that
She tried TO Anglicize it. don't know about that.
of course. She was very lberal-always kind and
gentle to everybody.
~ don't believe the Winstons are at all preju-
diced" observed Mrs. Parker. II fancy they are
ouitc strict in some ways. Don't you remember
how they persisted in going down the mountain
10 their Masses in the midst of terrible rain those
two SumdaysT :,
.cTbe English are like that, whatever their
creed" said Natalie "They never mind the
weather." - ,
yes" replied Mrs, Parker, with little shiver,
laying her hand the warm porcelain stove as
she glanced out of the window, against which the
rsi1drons were splashing. "He might want you to
be Catholic Natalie" she said, 40
But Natalie burst into merry laugh. ~
mother she replied, show ridiculous we are talk
ngl can't fancy any combination OF elTcumstan-
ces which would make me Roman Catholic"
An hour later the maid had knocked at the door
nth lit+le note from Mr.. Winston asking II Miss
MLlL a I-o ----....- him for q walk. Miss