The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-09-10
THE TESTING OF MARGARET.

Apparently Margaret Sunderland possessed
everything that goes to make life exceedingly
happy-good looks a sweet disposition, a beautiful
home and large circle of friends all contributed
in making her most enjoyable; yet her friends
often pul Il by the care-worn and sad ex-
preston whic vas frequently seen on her face.
But the solutU1 Hais very simple.
Margaret s moth- died when she was child,
and, about five years before our story opens, her
father had married AGAIN. Margaret step-mother
was Protestapr, Vi le Margaret was Catholic
aud although the two were the most agreeable and
closest companions, they patterned their lives after
very different Ideals. Mrs. Sunderland was
wordly-minded society woman and at the present
time her chief ambition was to find a wealthy and
suitable husband for her pretty step-daughter, a
match that would bring the Sunderland" name
into prominence III the society columns of the news
papers.
One afternoon Margaret was in the library
reading, when Mrs. Sunderland came hurriedly in,
excitement and delight plainly visible in her face.
Margaret she said, I've just been talking
10 Mrs. Ashton. She has invited us, to a dinner
party on Friday night wheich she is givin IN
honor of that delightful Mr.. Phillips, the author
about whom we have heard so much. She is espe-
cially anxious that you meet him; he is a young
bachelor, and is reported to be immensely wealthy"
If he is the Mr. Phillips who wrote Adven-
lures in Spain L should like to meet him, :" said
Margaret, carelessly.
And, by the way, Margaret said Mrs. Sun
derland, moving toward the door, Mrs. Ashton
says his ancestors came over in the Mayflower and
his father was a Methodist minister, so for Phil
lips sake, don't mention you're Catholic, that's
dear girl! I'm anxious to have you make
favorable impressionw
Very WELL I viii remember said Margaret,
quietly.
Friday evening Margaret paid particular at
tention to her toilet, for she felt curious desire
to meet this author, concerning whom she had
heard so many interesting things.
Most of the guests had arrived when Mrs. Sun
derland and she reached the Ashtons home, and in
a few minutes Mrs. Ashton was introducing a tall
handsome young man to Margaret, and saying,
laughingly, "NIr. Phillips, you to take Miss
Sunderland in to dinner. and, Margaret. want you
to prove to Mr. Phillips that American girls are
twice as nice as the Spanish 'senoritas he thinks
are so charming"
In a few minutes Margaret was chatting with
Mr.. Phillips as if they were old friends He was
in the midst of interesting account of one of
his journeys through Italy when the signal was
given to march TO the dining room.
Dinner was being served, and Margaret was Just
preparing to enjoy some delicious looking turkey,
when remark from across the table arrested her
attention
"Oh, no, - the person across the table was say
ing. Il never thought of today being Friday, the
thirteenth, or l would have cancelled the engage
mentp
Margarets heart gave bound; today was Fri
day. and she was just about to eat meat She was
quietly contenting herself with bread and salad,
when Mr. Phillips quick eyes detected that she was
eating scarcely anything.
Miss Sunderland, +" he exclaimed in his clear,
pleasant voice, which could be easily heard the
tire length of the table, you have not touched your
meat. Don't you like turkeyF'
"Wby, Margaret said Mrs. Ashton, in sur
pmsed tone, 81 thought you were very fond OF tur-
key, What is the trouble with it?
Poor Margaret, with the eyes of every one cen
tered upon her, felt the blood surging up into her
lace in great hot waves. For one minute she felt
tempted to make some trivial excuse; then, despis
ing her weakness, she answered quietly, Nothing
is the matter Mrs. Ashton, but l a Catholic,
and DO not eat meat on Friday"
An embarrassed silence followed her reply, end
then every one resumed the conversation without
further comment But Margaret, sitting there
with burning cheeks, could feel the frowning dis
approval on her stepmothers face and the absolute
silence of Mr.. Phillips while, strangely enough,
TINS thought kept running through her mind, "His
ancestors came over In the 'Mayflower.'
Finally, the dinner came TO an end, and for the
rest of the evening, Margaret did not once have
opportunity of speaking to Mr. Phillips. Keenly
sensitive, she imagined that he pu7posely avoided
lcr.
Il never dreamed that man could be so mar
ow-minded," she mused bitterly grieved; che has
r0ided me since the moment | said | was Cath |
'hc!' And pleading a headache, she made her |
Ncuse to the hostess and stole quietly away, hoping
10 one would miss her. But she descended the |
taIrs from the cloakroom, she Mr.. Phillips |
landing at the bottom waiting for her.
Miss Sunderland he said gravely, 81 deeply |
egret that my stupidity should have caused you
my embarrassment this evening; eyt l cannot re-
ram from telling you what edifcation you gave