The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-08
Continued from page 81
CHRIST OR DIANA.

me child, you're lookin' grand tonight,
entoirely grand; you'd be fit bride
fer a prince, We would, indeed The
girl blushed at the profuse compli-
ments of her landlady, and hurried
down to the parlor, where Howard
was waiting.
s'This time next week, Ann, we will
be out in Denver" said Williams, ris-
ing to greet her. "The trip will do
you good, I am sure"
II hope it will" replied Annie. with
smile, at should, at any rate, for it
is the first trip have ever taken"
sThe pure mountain air of Colorado
will take the Office dust from your
lungs; you will not look quite so pale
when we return. Then, Ann, there is
plenty of light and air out in Wood
lawn. I had the gardener out yes
terday. There will be bed of white
and pink asters right in front of the
porch: they will be in bloom when
we come home in August. l know
you like asters, Annie
Howard had never seemed so dear
to her before; he was indeed an ideal
husband, so considerate, SO obliging,
so lovable. They chatted long about
their new home, about the trip, about
all the happiness that was to come
to both of them, and it was half-past
ten when Howard rose to take leave.
well, have ordered carriage at
Morley's for Wednesday evening. 1t
will be at the door at 8 o'clock. I
suppose the ceremony at Rev. Dono-
vans will last about fifteen minutes.
From there we will be driven to our
house on Fifth Avenue My father
has arranged for a small reception;
you heard all about that. By the way,
Annie. do you know that my brother
is coming in from Wisconsin for the
ceremony"
''Your brother, Howard? Why, |
never even knew you had brother"
"Why, yes. He is somewhat older
than l. He is a minister, you know;
his name is Rev. Walter Williams.
as sure YOU will like him very much.
My father thought, this being family
affair, it wouldn't be proper not to
invite him."
Eyes, certainly, Howard; it was to
be expected that he come for the re-
ception.'
"Now, Annie, there is still another
matter I would like to SETTLE said
Howard, hesitatingly. "You know my
father has arranged this matter, and
and-you know, he wants my brother
to perform the ceremony at the house;
certainly only after we come back
from Father Donovan's.'
The girl rose to her feet in an in
slant, her face as white as chalk
What? What did you say?" she
cried "Are you mad?"
Williams started. why, Annie
he said, with affected surprise, "wh!
what is the matter? Why are you Sc
excited?"
'Do you think l am an apostate!'
cried the girl II will never, never bt
: married by any one but a Catholic
priest
"You will be married by Catholic
priest" said Howard, coolly.
Eyes, will be married by Fathel
Donovan and by him alone. Another
ceremony is entirely unnecessary, and
for me, strictly forbidden"
"Now, Annie, be reasonable. The
story has two sides. l am a Protes
tant. You demand that the ceremon!
be performed by Catholic priest.
concede that. l am even willing tt
allow him to perform the Protestan
ceremony Certainly your protest i:
unjust"
my protest is not unjust. Your
religion allows you to marry before
a clergyman of any denomination. II
the Catholic Church marriage is {
sacrament which is guarded by laws
For me to marry before Protestan
minister is to deny my faith, and thai
j l will never do, not even for you
Howard Williams"
! The girls firm voice and resoluts
language told Howard plainly that the
situation was dangerous.
"You won't get me into an uncom
Portable position, will you? Really,
don't care a bit about having another
ceremony, but my father is simply SCI
upon it, and you know | cannot con
tradict him. Besides, it is now toe
late. Matters are all arranged. Now
J, Ann, brighten up, for, after all, what
difference does it maker?
i Gust this difference" said the
girl; "here is your ring"
i Williams was thunderstruck. He
!, had never dreamt of such an issue
His father had convinced him that this
Popish girl whom he intended to make
partaker of his fortunes, would con
] nive at anything proposed, but here
she stood firm as rock in her refusal
j Annie he said at last, "how could
] you ever say you really cared for me
!, and then break so sacred an engage
ment in this manner"
How could you, in whom / trusted
j implicitly, deceive me in such a man
ner? You knew all along that this