The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-17
THE FARMER: APRIL II. 1911

ling with the memory of cries that
had Influenced her strangely.
Birth. What a wondrous, terrible
thing-only less terrible. as it's mys-
terry seemed greater. than death It
self. Life,--new life, rushing into
being. and the terrible impact caus-
ing pain and dismay. Life the result
Of lust-the beginning Of a never
ending responsibility. The thing up
on it's way was to be an endless
thing. It would live it's life here,
and afterwards go on---on forever. It
that for two people their appetitcs
had got the better of their judgment.
Was it SO wrong. after all? It was
obedience to a natural impulse. The
decalogue did not forbid it. Yet, So
ciety had made a pact, almost as old
as the world itself, ruthlessly to con-
denim the girl who did what this poor
young mother-to-be had done. There
must be some profound reason under
lying this rigor, something funda-
mentally deep. These things-these
vital processes. like birth--we hide
them. In our artificial modern con-
ditions they take place behind closed
doors. with decorum. The two things
which must happen to every one of lis
-
things about which we never talk,
about which we hardly ever think. We
say that they are banished into dark
ness and secrecy for reasons Of deli
cacy. We are 50 sensitive, we cam
not contemplate the great uncompro-
missing facts which govern our exist
ence. But are we, az q result, del
icate? Does our reticence upon es-
sentials cause US to be very careful of
our principlss7 Were the coarser
ages really worse ages than our own
Was there more sin when things were
openly called by their names. than
now, when euphemism swaddles the
minds Of an over-civilized generation?
AS she rode along, Vernon wonder
ed.
Something about the strong calm
face OF Miss Morrison attracted her
greatly. How brave to be all alone
with somebody to whom this miracle
was about to happen! Her cheeks
grew hot a. she thought OF it. And
then she came out at the end of her
lane and found two roads which fork
ed. without q sign-post Which was
her way? Here was a woman, like
herself woman in extremity-and
she might be going the wrong way
and losing precious time. AS She
hesitatted, q bicycle hove in view, and
it's rider looked 10 funny that for G
moment she was tempted to burs,
out laughing.
He seemed to be about fifty years
old, and wore cassock, tucked uI
around him to admit of the active
exercise he was now taking. He
was gray and partly bald, and wore
spectacles; but his light blue eyes
sparkled with a fire that was almost
boyish, and as he came into sight he
was singing.
"Oh do stop a minute!" cried Yer
non, land tell me the way to Par.
dale. I want to find the doctor"
1.-THE doctor! Are you hurt?" ask.
ed the priest with interest, dismount
ing and looking funnier than ever a,
he stood in his bunched-up garment
mo. but came through wishf1eld
and q lady named Miss Morrison ask
ed me to go and tell the doctor Il
come to Olive Fletcher"
Indeed! You are very kind" u,
said. But as we have met. I think
had better go myself. L shall >,
quicker and I know exactly wher,
to find him. Thank you very much
for bringing the message. 1 am tn
priest in charge of the wishfield Mis-
| sion----''
mission of the Resurrection" sail
Vernon, as il involuntarily.
Precisely. Did you 60 in an,
! have a 1ook?''
No. [ was in such haste. But
viii come again, IL ! may. will com
to morrow, and see how the poor CIR
is getting on"
Once more the color flooded all he
face. az she nodded q farewell, an
saw the Missioner mount his machin
and peg away at his best speed. Turn
ing the Sultana round, she made tn
best of her way home, arriving lat
and very hungry.
Trying to recali what she ha
heard Of the wishfield Mission, sh
remembered hearing her aunt spea
of one Father Conroy, who was i
charge there. Her experience of tn
afternoon had profoundly anfecte
her. She made up her mind to rid
thither again the following day an
find out whether the baby had arriy
ed.
CHAPTER x.
Vernon Tries Philanthropy.