The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-09-09

replied. "You know I expect, that I
am engaged to be married."
There was no response for some
minutes. DR.. Grant sat with his eyes
fixed steadily on her face, which had
flushed slightly Mary knew he was
her friend, and she valued his friend
ship; for she had a sincere admiration
for his character. realizing him to be
man of high principles and wide
sympathies. She looked at him a lit
tie anxiously; there was an air of re-
pressed excitement about him today
she failed to understand.
Il heard of your engagement for
the first time this afternoon he an
swered at length, with tinge of re-
proach in his tone.
For the first timer" she exclaimed,
in genuine surprise. "How strange
that no one should have told you"
''It is strange that you did not tell
me-" he interposed; sit was not like
you to be secretive."
ST did not mean to be that, DR.
Grant, but Well, the fact is,
ceased speaking of my engagement
long ago. I had promised my father
never to leave him, and-and-"
She broke off, and glanced at him
appealingly; but he did not see her
look, for his eyes were now fixed on
the ground.
II came to ask you if what had
heard was true he said. Il did not
believe it. So it is true. You are to
be married shortly, I presume?"
Ell do not know; II suppose
So" She replied hesitatingly. ooh,
will you let me tell you all about it?
About my engagement? 1t would be
such relief mean. I should like
you to understand"
Tell me-" he said briefly. II want
to understand"
''It began so long ago, and we were
both so young-too young to think of
marrying for years, father said. Poor
father He wanted to keep me with
him-that was natural, was it not?
What could he have done without me,
blind as he was? And he had so little
money to live on-only small an
nuity, and I had to work to add to
it. He did not like my engagement
to Leonard Wake, so I fell into the
way of not mentioning it. | never
meant to keep it secret from any
one"
Mary paused, troubled expression
on her face; she sat twining and I'M
twining her fingers nervously, a visit
full look in her eyes.
1--WE have been engaged ten years,
she went on, as her companion made
no comment; land during nearly all
that time he has been in the Philip
pines Now he is coming home-to
marry mel"
81 hope you will both be very hap
py," DIR. Grant said earnestly "Mr.
Wake is a very fortunate man to pos
sess your love!'
Mary was silent for a while. There
was an ache in her heart she did not
understand. When she spoke again
it was to revert to the past.
Leonard was very fond of me-" she
said, "and I was very fond of him
Poor boy! How disappointed he was
when he got that appointment at
Manila; and father would not hear Of
my marrying him and going out with
him."
'It was hard lines on him." re
marked DR.. Grant.
ct was," she agreed. Il wanted tt
break off our engagement: but he
would not have that. | ought to have
insisted, I suppose" She sighed; ther
added: "We have written to eacl
other regularly during our separation
but ten years is long, long time
DR.. Grant raised his head suddenly
and looked at her. She turned hel
face aside to hide the tears which
were dimming her eyes.
1--WE were little more than girl ant
boy when we parted" she said, "ant
oh, I am troubled about many things
I know that he will find me changed
aged. l saw several grey thread!
in my hair when looked in the mir
and he will expect"
Oh, Mary, broke IN the doctor
don't torture your heart with doubts
No man who once loved you could
He broke off abruptly, and Grim
soned with confusion.
She turned her face to look at him
then, as their eyes met, his uncon
sciously revealed the truth-that h,
loved her There was long silence
broken by the doctor.
i Il have betrayed my secret" h,
said, so I may as well confess tina
am a much disappointed man.
was only waiting till your grief at tn,
loss of your father had become les!
acute to ask you to be my wife
have loved you ever since we frs
met, year since; but, knowing your
fathers condition, kept silence