The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-25

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become subject of comment, what
might she not expect IL she were seen
with him as a member Of family
party?
A woman used to mems admiration
generally knows the signs Of that
which is not merely passing fancy.
ST may as well see it to the end. He
knows I am a Catholic and no weak
ling"
Presently she mailed two letters at
the nearest box. "It must be well with
one" she unused, ION those heights, un-
troubled by the strain Of daily labor
and insistent money demands"
Half dozen of her Sodality friends
looked up from their places in the
orchestra circle the following evening
with smiling recognition as she sat
throned above them beside Frederick
Warder, and few days later her
prompt appearance at the opening of
the retreat caused interchange of sig
nificaRt glances But Constance was as
unperturbed as ever, and handsomer
in her suit of sober brown, which
brought out so beautifully the exquis-
tie fairness of her skin and the golden
glints in her hair.
''It must have been rash judgment
about Mr.. Warder," whispered Mrs
Wallace penitently. Constance would
never" But the Mass bell was the
signal for silence.
He was strenuous son of the great
Loyola, this preacher of the retreat,
with the keen sight and the sure hand
of the expert spiritual surgeon for
weak or diseased consciences. Yet there
was little of terror or denunciation
in his instructions. He preached Christ
the crucified, the risen. He demanded
conformity to Christ's example in
every life, the first place for Christ
in every heart. To Constance it was
like fresh revelation She saw Christ
as He walked among men; she heard
His voice. Was He really first in her
heart?
ooh, father, hope it is not wrong,
but wish our Lord had not done quite
so much for us nor set so high a
standard" she murmured after her
brief confession. She was not stran-
ger to the priest, and he marveled at
the outburst in one usually so self
contained.
eff you are called to choose between
the two standards, my child, you will
never be able to plead ignorance in ex-
cuse for a wrong choice. But" very
gently, you will not make wrong
choice"
Father, pray that He gives me my
hearts desire. It is for His honor"
81 will pray that you may see His
will and do it. That is safer, my child"
Sister Gertrude held her a moment
at the convent door. Constance, I
feel the test is coming. I would rather
die than see you fall
The girl kissed the nun silently and
passed out under the budding elm
trees. She carried the fragrance Of the
lilies with her and the vision of Him
who rose again. Was Christ first in her
heart?
1uSJ lave UOSA SpOhCA LuC
choice and the test. What do they
know of Frederick Warder?" Then
Constance remembered uncomfortably
his rumored connection with a pub
fishing house whose sole mission SEEM
ed to be the sending forth of books
subversive of religion. She had heard
it but yesterday. There might be no
for it. 81 will ask him
when we meet again.
She had not long to wait. His card
was brought her few moments after
she had left the dinner table.
Constance had chosen her city home
with private family of refinement, SO
there was nothing to offend the fastidi-
GUS taste of Frederick Warder in the
quiet library in which his young friend
joined him.
He was nearly fifteen years older
than she, and he had not moved to the
decisive action which he contemplated
tonight with the unreasoning impulse
of loves young dream. He understood
Constance fairly well also. mot mere
money or society seeker" he had
judged. "She is too fine for that. I be-
lieve she loves me for myself, but she
loves power and place, and so do I; so
it is an even thing. could not love her
if she was not fit for them. A Catholic!
She hasn't had fair chance for de-
velopment. She will outgrow her creed
in her life with me-"
He thought Constance had never be-
fore looked so fair and stately. and
there was withdrawn and mysterious
air about her which gave the finishing
touch to her charm. The conscious
ness of fateful moment was on both,
and there was no preliminary talk for
talks sake.
Constance you know you are the
woman / love and would make my
wife, and I believe you love me enough
to trust me with your happiness