The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-10-22
THE LOST ROSARY.

Hillery as he trampled over the snow, which Law
white and gstening under the wintry sun. They
looked at him first because of his splendid phvsoue
and secondly, because he was a stranger. and was
dressed as a colonial He was in fact. lust arrived
in England on the Empress of Ireland after many
wears in the Canadian Northwest, where he had
left weIl-stocked farm in charge of hired man.
he had come to England for two reasons. One
was that great longing had come over him TO loo,
once more on the vine-cad cottage in Lordshp
Lane where he had passed his childhood-dear
careless days before tragedy had deprived him of
both parents and rendered it necessary that he
should 60 out into the world and stand ON his own
feet.
The other reason that had brought him to the
Old Country was that he hoped to find wife-an
English girl who should transform his farm into
a home. How he should go about this last enter.
prise he had but the vaguest idea.
As he tramped up Lordship Lane his eyes fell
on something small that glittered on the snow.
Coming nearer and STOPPING to look at the object,
he saw that it rosary of bright amethyst
colored beads, bound together with silver chain.
lie took it up and examined it. On the same ring
which held the crucifix was an oval silver medal
of the Children Of Mary" and engraved Upon it
was the name, Nora Mulligan, and date
Hilicry placed the rosary in his pocket, wonder
INC what the best way to go to work to restore
1t to the owner feeling of humiliation came
over him at the finding of this rosarg. lie was d
him to perform the duties of his religion The lit
tie Catholic Church. ten miles from his farm, was
only served once month 10y an old priest who had
to travel far. Often Hillery had b,cli obliged to
miss this occasional mass in winter because o. The
billiards.. and in summer because the intense work
found him spent when Sunday came round.
On Sunday too, there was always The bread to
be made and the washing to be done. Hillery had
slipped almost unconsciousiy into negccting even
his prayers Somehow the sight of this rosary
made him feel sick at heart
He walked Oh tIIl h4 calne 20 the cottage of MS
clhiahood-a pretty cottage despite It's wintry garb.
il struck him that in The prairie he had always
pictured 1t III Its summer dress.
lie stood by the garden hedge, looking with sad
dcued eyes at each camilla" detail. Then he noted
al at once writtea notice in the window, and read
Lost between LorIship Lane aud East Dull
vie2, rosary The finder. on bringing it tc Vine
Cottage, viii be rewarded
Hillerys heart gave bound. Here was an ex-
cuse to set foot once more in the old home
Strong man though he was, his hand trembled
as he lifted the latch of the gate.
lie knocked upon the door. which he noted was
still painted green and waited.
The door was opened and the big Canadian
was taken aback by the apparition that met his
gaze that for a moment he found no words
A pair of wonderful laughing Irish eyes were
looking into his in inquiry.
Il have brought your rosary" Hillery blurted
out at last. "At least it may be yours he added.
Il didn't figure doing little service to some
one living in my old home
Nora Mulligan smiled enchantingly
why, you must be Joseph Hillery' she said.
We have heard that the Hillerys built this dear
little house, and that their only went to Can
ada at sixteen Come in. Ny mother will bid you
welcome"
Hillery entered the passage, noted the
stairs Cup which he had often run when he had
come in later than his father APPROVED and en-
tered the front sitting room, the room IN which he
had done his lessons" Something rose in his
throat. There were the two little cupboards
either side of the fireplace, just he remembered
them. But his mothers work box no longer stood
on top of the nearest the window, and on the |
top Of the other no longer stood the little statue
OF St. Joseph under a shade.
Nora took down the Notice" from between the |
snowy muslin curtains and turned and faced him.
His great bulk seemed to fill the room.
Sit down." she said gaily. oh l never
thanked you for bringing back my rosary. / was |
50 taken aback TO find you were Joseph Hillery. | |
have often wondered how you got on You see |
we heard all about how YOU had to go away and |
seek your fortune and 1 have often said little
PRAYER for you-a poor boy so unhappy and alone"
Iiillery looked at her, trim little figure in a
blue serge frock, her pretty round face revealing
two auring dimples as she smiled up at him, her
laughing. violet eyes meeting his with the sweet,
pure expression of girlhood.
DO sit down." she said Il going to fetch
mother and you must stay and have dinner with
MS IN your old home. and then 90 over the house.
/ know YOU would like to do that"
HiLery was quite overcome.
81 thought" he said brokenly, chat | should
only see the cottage and go away didn't know |
should"
He got no further. but sat down the little
sofa, staring in front of him.
Nora ran out to the kitchen. returning with her
mother. "A kindly 1llcaSaDt-facp1 woman
Il am glad TO see you, Mr.. Hillery," she said.
Make yourself at home We have often talked
o. you here The dinner viii soon be ready--a bit
o. boiled mutton, not much for visitors, but You
VIII excuse thar We are only poor folk. but you
are Welcome to the best we have"
hllery who had pondered on the fact that there
was no one-no, not one-left of the friends Of his
ooSh'od to give him welcome to the old country