The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-25
Continued from page 81
THE TEST OF LOVE.


Surely, Sister dear. You know I
am always glad when you want me. "
The bright eyes were as direct and con-
fident as ever. The business was soon
dispatched, and a moment of silence
fell between them as they sat together
in the soft spring twilight in the prim
little dining-room reserved for secular
guests.
Constance looked up expectantly.
"Who is Mr.. Warder my child?" The
nuns tone was incisive, peremptory,
and she kept her eyes on the girls
face. Was there faint rising of color?
The light was not good. Perhaps
Sister Gertrude was mistaken.
"Our head masters distant relative;
a very wealthy man, who gives all
his time to philanthropy and education.
He holds no Office, but he is sort of
power behind the throne. He has tray
eled everywhere, has many good ideas
and enjoys working them OUT
what is this man to you, Con-
stance"
"a very kind friend, Sister," said
the girl, after slight pause
But you know he hates religion"
81 know nothing of the sort. He has
never discussed his opinions with me.
If he hates religion, why should he
serve a Catholic, and" with quick
lifting of the head. zone who has never
feared to keep her flag flying?"
But why have you never mentioned
him to me? Don't you know that his
attentions to you are a matter of COM
ment?"
II must at least have named him
among those who supported Mr.. Gray's
choice of me two years ago. But for
Mr.. Warder I would not be where I
am. AS for his attentions, it is like his
irreligion-gossip pure and simple.
He is not married, it is true, but, after
all, I am only working woman, and
If he sought wife she would be in
the circle to which he has been born"
Was there faint usefulness in
the girls voice? Sister Gertrude saw
that it was not wise to pursue the sub
ject further.
''You know, Constance, the retreat
begins Wednesday week. I shall look
for you at it,"
when have I failed to attend as
much of it as possible, Sister? This
year, fortunately, it comes during our
spring vacation, and can have it ALL
1t is disagreeable to be suddenly con-
fronted with spiritual mirror and
compelled to gaze into it. But Con.
stance had brave soul, and she would
not close her eyes.
what is this man to your" The
question rang out instantly as she sat
alone in her room in the dark, over.
looking the tranquil bay which mirror.
ed a starlit sky.
Presently her answer came without
fiinching. 81 would have him for my
lover He is gentleman through and
through, a scholar and man of posi-
tion.' She flushed holly, face to face
with desire which was of the brain
as we'll as the heart.
"And why do you want him and his
high placer" Constance was imperious
now.
Because I love him, and l love also
the heights on which he can set me
And, oh, my God, though he hasn't the
faith, know the things said against
him can't be true I know I want to
win him for Thee and to use what he
can give me for Thy honor"
She was kneeling now, and the voice
was gentler in its next demand. "But
if you can not have him on your owr
| terms?"
81 have never failed yet in anything
I set my heart on"
A sharp knock Constance rose
quickly, turned on the electric light
and took in two special delivery letters
One bore the home postmark. ''Twt
hundred dollars for Johnny's operation
and you know these specialists cannot
be kept waiting
| The girl sighed as well tried patienct
must sometimes, but she wrote the re
Quired cheque and inclosed it in brie
note before she looked at the Other
letter, at whose handwriting her hear
bounded. 1t was an invitation from
Frederick Warder to join him and hi,
sister in box party at the Crane
Opera the following evening.
i She deliberated. If his occasional
calls at her abode and his eviden