The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-28

Lady Martin withdrew her hand
from the clasp OF her sons, saying:
I"Gilbert your rash words have broken
nv heart, but, thank God. they are
only rash words; and tomorrow we
shall continue where we leave OF to-
night. And shall gain the battle. In
other words, you shall not become a
Roman"
Those words were spoken In low.
hooking tone, as Lady Martin left the
room, going directly to her own ele-
CANT chamber There, dismissing her
maid. she flung herself on q silken
divan. where she spent the remainder
of the night in restless wakefulness.
She did not pray, for that proud,
worldly woman, could find no conso-
lation in prayer.
The next morning Lady Martin did
not appear at breakfast, but spent the
morning hours in her elegant cham
Der, racking her brain in trying to find
some plan to prevent her son from
becoming Catholic.
The long, pleasant morning hours
passed quietly at Pinedale, and the sun
was setting ere Lady Martin sum-
moned Gilbert to the library for the
much-dreaded interview.
Gilbert received the summons, and
though his face paled slightly, ne was
firmly resolved that no power on earth
could prevent him from becoming
Catholic. And with firm resolve to
do what he knew was right, ne en-
tered the library.
His mother, pacing restlessly up and
down the room, seemed not to notice
him. After a few, moments, which
seemed an age to Gilbert, Lady Martin,
with the most naughty manner, con-
fronted her son, and Gilbert stood with
eyes downcast, before the cold, steady
glance of the mother whom he so
dearly loved
"My son, have you given up the idea
of becoming a Catholics?
"No, mother, have not, but why
should the fact that am about to be-
come a Catholic be SO distasteful to
YOU? Mother, sanction my good in
tention, and by doing so make me very
happy"
At those words the eyes of Lady
Martin seemed to fash with some hid
den fire, while her voice, though
scarcely above whisper, was vehe.
ment, as she said:
"No, Gilbert Martin, | can never
consent to your becoming Catholic >
"Then, my beloved mother, must
disobey, even though it wounds me
deeper than you can ever understand
III must disobey."
j "My son, is it because you wish to
make Helen Moor your wife you be
come a Catholic?"
}: "No, mother, I have deeper reasons
and even though had never met Hell
en-, should become Catholic just the
d same, because / wish to save my soul.
"My son, do you love Helen Moorg'
More than anyone else in the whole
wide world, save yourself, my mother
do love this noble-hearted girl"
every we'll, Gilbert, there seems but
one way to redeem you. I shall give
my consent to your marriage with
Helen. She whom you love shall reign
as mistress at Pinedale as your hon.
ored wife, if you but remain Protest
ant"
"No, mother, that could never be,
Jour marriage would be an impossible
lily while I am Protestant. But even
lie it were not so, would become a
Catholic just the same, sorely and
purely for the love of Cod
Then" said his mother, resolutely
"Pinedale is no longer your home
Even though night is fast approaching
you shall 60 I care not where. Fol
Gilbert Martin, you are no longer my
son"
Lady Martin would have left the
room without another word, had not
Gilbert laid a trembling hand on he1
, arm to detain her.
.'sOh, mother, let me press once more
the hand that led me safely through
the dangers of childhood Tenderly
clasping her hand in both his own, he
continued: Mother, shall love yor
none the less in exile. You have beer
} a tender mother to me. And tomor
row in ST. Luke's church shall be
baptized at o'clock. shall pray fol
you, mother, in that soul uplifting
hour. And now. my beloved parent
farewell"
Go, my son, you have broken m,
heart"
He bent and pressed his lips to the
jeweled hand of his mother, while bit
terly weeping, and trusting himself te
say no more, after one lingering caress
and last silent pressure on the han6
?. of his mother, standing SO proudly
erect with not the slightest token Of
: pain on her pale countenance, he soft
ly left the room.
After her sons departure Lady Mar
tin stood for some moments as il
struck dumb by some crushing blow
Then. pressing her hand to her brow
she stepped to the open window that
the breeze might revive her. as she
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