The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-02
Continued from page s.)
HER SISTERS KEEPER.

HER SISTERS KEEPER.
five, but I look twenty years older.
I've no pride, no shame, no hope
it's all been knocked out of me. I go
around every day and ask for hand
out. Sometimes it's the st. Vincent
de Paul Society, sometimes it's the
Salvation Army, sometimes it's man
I meet in the street. I've always got
pain here'-she struck her breast
land I'm tired of everything"
She rose suddenly, scalding tears in
her eyes.
"I'm glad met you, Tommy. Good
by!"
Delmege placed a restraining hand
on her arm.
''Sit down, Annie. Don't go yet. l
want to light cigar, if l may; and
want to think bit. Waltz"
Leisurely he pulled out his cigar
case, selected Havana, and solemnly
lighted it. Then he sat back, putting
quietly, his hands clasped about one
knee and his brows drawn in thought.
At length Delmege rose and pulled
out his watch. 1t was three o'clock.
annie, have an engagement to
keep in half an hour. I want you to
come with me. We are going to see
a lady"
The woman, ground down as she
was by the wheels of wretchedness
and .vulgarity and neglect, had yet
within her a spark of the eternal
feminine. She cast a deprecating
glance at her tattered gray shawl and
her soiled brown skirt and her large.
colorless shoes. -
cts all right" Delmege added re-
assuringly. "The lady will understand
everything"
At the gate of the cemetery Del
mege hailed a taxicab. Fifteen min
utes later he was helping the woman
to alight before the Laidlaw residence.
Tommy" she asked in slow, dreamy
tones, ''isn't this where-where she
lives?"
Delmege paused on the sidewalk and
smiled protectingly.
Nov, Annie, you must leave every
thing to me. Long ago, you remem-
her, whenever things went wrong with
me, l showed absolute confidence in
your direction of my juvenile cam
paigns. Turn about is fair play"
And then, half to himself, he added
1T is true that this particular cam
paign is being conducted in a some
what spectacular fashion; but I can't
help it. The dramatic possibilities
of the situation are almost infinite.
However, as matter of precaution,
let us try the lawn entrance
I'm Delmege, you know" he said
a moment later to the prim and pom
padoured maid that answered his ring.
This lady and I wish to see Mrs.
Laidlaw Immediately"
In the private reception room Del
mege waited, the subdued sounds OF
orchestral music in his ears. The
afternoon tea for charity was on. In
a few minutes he would walk into the
drawing-room and read youth and
Art and "Tomlinson"; but first
He looked at the woman who was
once "the priests Annie" as she sal
shivering and startled and ashamed
"Wait here, Annie" he said. IT an
going to give one of my readings in
the corridor"
He had hardly passed through the
portieres when he found himself face
to face with Mrs. Laidlaw. She was
flushed and triumphant; the tiny span
giles on her expensive gown seemed tt
radiate self-suficiency and pride.
20 Pemberton," She cried effusively
ut was so kind of you to come! The
afternoon has been a complete success
The Archbishop stayed for almost hal
an hour and the Vicar-General is here
yet. The Mayor is on his way now
and"
She stopped in perplexity at sight O.
Delmege's stern countenance and up
raised hand.
Pardon me, Mrs. Laidlaw, but be
lieve am almost due to appear before
your guests. wish to trespas:
slightly on your goodness. AS this il
a charity fete, thought of reading
somewhat in line with the occasion
which I should like you to hear before
l proceed to the drawing-rooms. It il
not long, and with your kind permits
sion shall recite it here and now
Then, much to the perplexity of tn
hostess, he added: II have neve
, heard it, but it is wonderful poem.
Falling into conventional attitude
he began:
"Once there were two maidens; an
the maidens were sisters, and the,
were happy and pure and young. AN
the roses were fair that blossome,
about them and the air was bright
and the promise of life for both O