The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-04-02
LUCILE'S EASTER LILY.
(By Grace Strong.)

S.eb rbey regretted. Loving her they tried to ex-
WY her by pointing out that circumstances had
"iraJ to aid in its development. She had lost
C-Inotber early in life, and having only a father
rbo spoiled and petted her while child, and gave
W. flI1 sway over his life and home when she was
,rr She knew nothing of the duties and re-
s1ns;bIities of life. In the practice of her re-
Hr She lived strictly by the letter, and missed
'DFat;raIy the spirit of its teaching.
If only something would happen, her friends
A,noAt TO rouse her good heart sufficiently to
t The ever-hardening crust of selfishness, Lucille
rand not be only more lovable, but happier. She
@ Given to bewailing the loneliness of her life,
~;bout mother, and sisters or brothers; and this
rrlaining spirit was increasing as she grew
Hsr Sefshness and melancholy are undesirable
% determinations They more powerful in
driving of friends than poverty and affiction.
When Lent began this year, Lucille, usual
-os one of its strictest observers. She sought no
5spensation from the flesh, the weather was never
too pconent to prevent her from attending the
morning and evening services; and all social pleas
rns were vigorously avoided. The one diversion
sbo permtted herself was inspection Of the shops;
Init that she felt was somewhat of duty, for one
vel to others as well as to oneself to appear In
new rarb on the feast of the Resurrection.
A careful study of new styles and mate
rails and many an earnest conversation with her
-ressmaker had resulted in a selection of gown
and hat that promised to be among the most beau
tiful St. X church would witness on the swift
~ advancing Easter morning. This morning Luz
clq had received her allowance from her father.
In view of the change of seasons it had been made
more liberal than usual but as he gave it to her, he
added word Of advice as to care in its expanding,
since times were still hard
Lucille drank her coffee and ate her regulation
slice of thin bread; then hurried off to the half
past S o'clock Mass As she prayed she tried to
drive off the distracting thought of the pleasure
ahead OF her, when the sharp scissors of the clerk
would give to her the dainty material she had Sc
eced and the charming hat she had induced the
mlliner to set aside for her, would repose in her
own wardrobe.
After carefully performing her devotions, Lu-
Gle left the church She proceeded leisurely along
the street. The day was fair, with the hint of
spring in the mellow sunshine. The sparrows ap-
preciated this, and their twitter was gay. The
homeless dog cured up against the wall where the
sun fell, looked supremely contented. The poor
human strays also looked less desolate, they
walked aimlessly along, or stood on street corners
watching the hurrying crowds of the worlds work
ers-the men who had found the places which the
others had missed.
Lucille thought the city exceedingly pleas
ant that morning, for we are apt to view the world
through the spectacles of our own mood. As she
was thus sauntering along, she heard piping voice
at her side saying:
Please lead me across the street
Lucille turned her head, and saw a fragile little
girl standing near the electric light pole. Dark,
pathetic eyes were set in a pale, but pretty face.
An old thin shawl covered the thin form, hiding
the patched and faded calico dress.
you are big enough to cross the street by your
self, said Lucille who had rigid notions regarding
the installation Of reliance in the hearts of the
young.
But | am blind" said the little girl, sadly
4 ~,
row, as she hurried to the child's side. She took
the chlds little hand in hers, and led her across
the street; while the thought beat against her brain
that all the fairness of the day lost to this help
less creature
They reached the opposite side, but Lucille did
not reinquish the childs hand.
Were you always blind2" asked Lucille.
no ma'am," said the child. 81 could see until
about two years ago. The doctor says l could see
lgan, if | could go to the hospital"
And why do you not Z" asked Lucille.
why, you see, maam," said the child, turning
ler pathetic little face toward the speaker, 'there
no one TO work but mother She has to go out
very day and / have to stay with the baby."
as 1T possible" exclaimed Lucille, 'that there
s no neighbor who would take care of the baby for
our motherl"
$40 ma'am," said the child.
What selfish people" she cried, her heart burn
ag with Indignation. Even when they know they
ne depriving you of your eye-sightw
Mother says people have troubles enough of
heT own and do not want to have to share others
roubes.' said the child. "But, oh I wish I could
ee could be so much help to mother. She has
work hard, and she is not strong and she says
anything were to happen to her. she does not
now what would become of me and little brother"
Jnconsciousy the child was leading Lucille into
ne wretehed tenement district where she lived.
Tesently she stopped, and said:
1 am now home, ma'am, and l am much obliged |
You for coming with me-"
u would like to go in and see your mother"
nd Lucille. The delighted child escorted her to
he dark stairway and together they mounted the
eps The poverty, the distress of the situation
overwhelmed Lucille. How could people live in
len places. The air seemed to stife her, and she
Fit as if she should never free her clothes of the
rt that covered the place. The childs mother, in
le patient way of the poor, repeated the story
uclle had earlier heard; and when she looked from
e sad, delicate mother to the fragile, pathetic
MD, Lucile's good heart took on strength suff-
emf to burst It's bonds of selfshness.
In her purse lay money enough to free the child
ON this perpetual night, and lift the burden
mpWh9t from, +bo ebouldarc Of +bo moon ,oo+bor