The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-18

what would I have cared about
that? He hasn't soul in the world
with claim on him, and he's got a
town house and country house and
an automobile"
You'd have no show with him IL
your future mother-in-law were on the
scene"
"The miserable little cat. hate her
already"
well, Harriet, Colonel Lowering
didn't ask you to marry him; but it
seems John did. 1t isn't that the
Colonel wasn't made much of here,
goodness knows. But you, are prom
Used to John, and he's a man that's
sure to amount to something, il you
don't put too heavy load on him at
the start. Your idea of the fiat is
good one. Maybe Mrs Gilbert will
think of it herself. Anyone can see
that she'd lay down her life for the
boys happiness; and can't get rid of
the notion that she's got something of
her own slowed away somewhere.
Some women are so cute. But If he's
set on taking her offer, wouldn't be
disagreeable about it. Much can hap
pen in year. Here you are less than
a year younger than John, and two
girls over twenty crowding up after
you; and Florence will be out of school
next year. can't have four marriage
able girls on my hands at once I'm
sure your father and have just shaved
ourselves to keep you from having to
go out and earn your own livings, like
many other girls must" And Mrs.
Hammond paused, out of breath, and
with more than a suspicion of tears
in her voice.
81 won't live with my mother-in-law.
Young married persons should be by
themselves" That was .Harriets ulti-
matum to her mother, and two even
ings later to John.
He was sorely distressed This was
turn of affairs which he couldn't con-
f1de to his mother. But she asked no
questions. He had hardly time to
recognize the subtle change in her, so
long were his working hours, until
nearly the first of November. Harriet
had settled on Thanksgiving eve for
the wedding and the desired apart
ment was not yet secured.
He had spent Halloween with Har-
riet. "You know, John, it is our Holy
Communion together for your dear
father, tomorrow said Mrs. Gilbert,
on the evening of All Saints.
81 hadn't forgotten, mother" 1t was
more like her own boy tonight. There
was new frmness about the lips,
steadiness in the eyes which were
vaguely uncomfortable.
II have plan of my own, too, John.
AS we have both been to church, it is
better to talk it over tonight. Time
flies. Through Colonel Lowering,
have the offer of very nice position
as a matron in the State Industrial
School at Endicott The salary is not
large, but as there are no expenses, my
| $50 per month will be clear gain. Wait
moment, john" as she saw his quick
indignant flush of protest. II think it
is best for you and Harriet to start
housekeeping alone. My things are a
little old-fashioned, perhaps, but they
are the best of their kind, and it will
save you much time and expense at
this time to have the house right in
order to come into"
Mother, you shall never leave your
own house for anyone, nor work for
your living, either" Looking closely
at her, he saw great change. Always
of slight build, she was thin now to
emaciation, with heavy, dark lines I'M
der her beautiful eyes, an strange
look of repression almost pinching the
erstwhile rosy lips.
Mother, you are not WE'LL" he cried.
ooh, I'm all right, John. But as we
are rising earlier tomorrow, shall be
better for little more sleep. No; not
another word now, dear. Well talk
again tomorrow"
There was no Mass nor Communion
on the morrow for Mrs. Gilbert. Hear
ing no sound in her room as the mo-
ment for going out drew near, John
knocked at the door gently. There
was no response. He entered to find
his mother tossing uneasily on her
bed in the delirium of high fever. He
vas mothers boy" but some things
were beyond him. He crossed the
fence at a. bound, and met Agnes Brent
just leaving the house for Mass. "Oh,
Miss Brent, my mother is terribly i'll.
Can you possibly go to her while 1
| to1enhona for the doctor 2'
The piety of Agnes was well or
dered. Certainly, Mr.. Gilbert; and
without another word she was at the
invalid's bedside; her young but prac-
ticed eyes detected serious conditions.
Typhoid fever" said the doctor
briefly This was more than an hour
later to John, downstairs. ''You must
get trained nurse at once. 1t is a
bad case, and even with your mother
comparative youth and good constitu-
- IL 49,