The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-03-13
THE NTERMoUNTAN AND COLORADO CATHOLICS MARCH 49, 1909

she shook ont the embroidered ends 1T was the
parting sie of dear Mere Alinr. and every stitch,
an sure set with tender care for me-
"1on are convent girl, then" said Elton. gent
y. IL guessed as much"
Y on did! And why! She asked with little
laugh
There Is a stamp-well no that e far too rigid
Tor the word-rathcr, touch. an air, blomm that
Is unmistakabe7
And that is killed by the first boar frost She
Knocked lightly.
"Oh. no-not necessarily" he answered.
Il think So she continued. Il had not been
out OF St. Ursules three days before felt lis nip"
impossible declared Dick.
Not at al-quitc true" she said in the same
knocking tone 1T stung, ] confess but it is only
a touch. suppose, OF what | will have to meet later
on"
Don't say dom think that said the gentle
man. with note thrilling in his voice 80
one like you the world should be all summer and
sunshine"
''On the contrary, it is very black with storm"
she replied. Il am going home to face a most I'M
pleasant situation Mr. Elton,' and the sweet voice
quivered.
"That is too bad" Mr. Elton found his head
rapidly going, but bravely struggled to keep his
usual balance, But surely you have friends to
stand by you!"
"None," she answered sadly My last friend is
dead. | am orphan and alone"
Alone not--not alone'-for moment Dick
lost hold of himself-''not while I-while-I mean
-that-that if there is anything | can do to serve
to help you----'
Thank you" and the icy chill fell fat upon his
trembling ardor, There is nothing at all" And
conscious that he had blundered poor Dick tried TO
reeoup by plugging into remote personalities.
81 am home on rather disagreeable business my
self. both disagreeabe and absurd"
Really There was forced interet in the chilly
hu+ Dick determined ia hold his ground Mt
any cost.
There is an amusing side to the situation which
an outsider. | suppose, see, though to me 1t is
grim enough An old aunt from whom [ had rea
sonable expectations has just died.
And left yOu-the expectations. | hopes" There
was quiet cut in the low tone.
More than the expectations" answered Dick
grimy. "She saddled them most unexpectedly with
a BRIDE
"Ah. that was over generous" said the young
lady with little odd laugh.
ut was the last stroke of bitter. cantankerOus
cussedness." blurted out Dick in wrathful con
seriousness that he was missing it all around. Il
was just % my last birthday and | am either to
forfeit my heritage marry my late aunts
paniOn and victim, sallow, sourfaced spinster of
50 with"
"Oh, hush hush hush.' The sweet young voice
tremulous with strang appeal. Don't
talk like that please Surely you know she is dead
has been dead two vears.''
Dead echoed Dick ''Who has been dead two
years? Not Aunt Prue!"
NO; my poor Aunt Mary Jane"
"Your Aunt Mary Jane!" gasped the young man
in bewilderment.
Yes. my dear Aunt Mary Jane. When she was
dying Miss Elton promised her she would always
take care of me. Oh. | understand what you
though" and the sweet young voice trembled be
tween laughter and tears. Il have known whoyou
were all along. and have almost-almost hated you,
-because-well, my name was spelled wrong
on the ships books, and | am the Mary Jane Garlic
ton that you and your friend were talking about
the day we sailed-that you we're going to show up
in court, and break-break Aunt Prue's will
"You. You" For moment Dick could only
stare at the speaker in dumb bewilder1nent. Then
heaven and earth seemed to blaze out III rapturous
revelation. Reckless Of consequences, he caught
both of Miss Mary Jane Careton's slim white hands
in possessive grasp.
Break Aunt Prue's will Never. 1t shall
stand until the heavens and earth pass away For
with it without it, | am Mary Jane Careton's
forever
"And three days afterward Lawyer Bland and
Father Deane who sat i'll perturbed consideration
Of the two indignant and defiant letters that had
preceded by swift mail steamers the joint heirs
across the Atlantic startled by the appearance
of the two young people under discussion.
Mr.. Etons face study of supreme happi-
ness, while Mary James countenance had gained
even softer radiance and her lips sweeter smile
Good morning. Mr.. Bland. Good morning.
father! We have come to say that you can cut
out that legal fight We came over on the same
steamer and have settled things ourselves
"Amcably, I trust and hope. my young friends
said the dry little lawyer, rubbing his hands
"Most amicably. as I see" laughed wiser Father
Deane. And I'll have no old maids home Well,
am glad of it. It's state of life the church does
not encourage. SO God bless you. my dear emil
dren-God bless you from my heart"
MARY T. WACSGAMAN.
Charlie's photooranb