The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-04-08

then, instinctivly, her eyes sought the
table. There, lying upon it was
purse-well-f1lle she could see. 1t
did not bring her any satisfaction 1t
proved that she had undergone
another trial.
What have I done?" she whis-
pered. ITO stay hereto dread that
step upon the stair, to hush that bois-
ferrous tone that 1t may not awaken
the child to realization of her faith
er's weakness; to smile when my
heart is breaking. Heart Of Jesus,
have rejected the way you have
opened? Is it right? Am I doing
right?"
She threw herself upon her knees
before the little altar, with agonized
yearning in her eyes.
"To refuse peace and comfort and
measure of happiness, at last, for the
sake of the soul you have given me?
What have l been able to do for his
soul? Nothing. What will be the end?
Surely, my vows can bring me no
further? Must wait for the last act
in the drama of degradation? Must I
assist at the final misery? Must
drain the very dregs?
She clasped her hands.
"All this you did! You endured the
worlds contemplated I, a creature,
shrink from my little portion? On this
night you came for degradation a
thousand times deeper, shame
thousand times more profound. Help
me help me now, by the
memory of it,"
And then she heard step upon the
stairs
1t was a slow step, heavy step.
She rose, waiting, listening. 1t was
not faltering step. She looked up.
Her husband stood quietly at the door,
entered the room as quietly, was TAX
ing off his hat and coat, was looking
at her with a boyish smile.
"Well?" she whispered.
ut is we'll, hope" he answered,
his tones strong and full Where,
first of all, do you think I've been?"
She shook her head Those we'll
remembered tones! How lacking they
had been of late in strength and firm
ness!
"To confession"
"Confession!"
Eyes, Alicia, to confession. Don't
look so dazed, little woman !.
I've had queer experience these last
two weeks . even tonight, Ali
cia." He moved slowly toward her,
holding out his hands. Forgive me
. if you cannot forget, let me
help to. make you forget my
wife"
Il went to see Winans, too Made
clean breast of the whole thing.
: Told him why I gave up the position
and the fight had been making
What is the matter, Alicia?"
Nothing, Walter. You are
tearing the very heart from my body
but 60 on, go ONT"
"Nothing!" He put his arms about
her. Don't shrink from me. Never
, again will you have cause to shrink
from me, never, never! Listen. Don't
r you think I've felt the curse? Don't
you think this last year has been one
of torture? Don't you think I've
fought it and fought it and fought it?
l have-by the good Savior, I have!
To see you like this! Like
this! My girl, my Alicia, white, sor-
y rowful, a rose chilled by the frost of
/ winter. And my baby! OH I've known
good God, I've known. And I've
? been fighting. In vain until two weeks
e ago. And then I seemed to feel new
l.. strength"
: go on, go on"
r New strength, new ambition"
go on, Walter. o Sacred Heart, ]
g thank thee!"
"And resolved to break with every
: one who might prove a source oil
|. further sin"
e Heart of the Christ-Child, I wor.
l. ship thee!"
= "You were praying. I prayed, too
= and have conquered, though I kept
1t all from you-fght and struggle
and fall, fight and struggle and fall
> as I might. I met the enemy this
: night at my very door, almost. I had
it hard for while, but in the end
y in the end I have come
/. back. Come back, Alicia! And Wi
y mans will give me my old desk at the
bank on Monday morning. Is that
l. good news?"
She took his hand and drew him tc
! his knees beside her. The Heart OF
Jesus knew what was in her heart
, her soul. Dark no longer, but filled
with light and consolation.-Gract
/. Keom. in the Messenger of the Sacred
!, Heart.
It