The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-11-04
Continued from page So
A WIFE's SACRIFICE.

hear him. Why not come with us
next Sunday?''
I'VE shall be delighted was Har-
rvs reply, and he was just about to
say how much he and his wife should
like to meet the celebrated preacher,
when Mabel interrupted him.
1T is very kind of you to think of
us, but wei cannot go. Perhaps
you do not know that we are Catho-
lies"
The words were said, and to the
end of her life Mabel never forgot
the expression on her husbands face
or the almost imperceptible look of
dismay on those of her guests. Poor
child! Could she have read their
thoughts she would not have felt so
downcast, for they were people of
refinement and education as well as
kind-hearted and able to appreciate
her courageous outspokenness even if
they could not agree with her re-
ligious sentiments. "Plucky little
woman" was their inward comment
Mr.. Foster, however, paid no heed
to his Wife's interruption, and only
reiterated his acceptance of Mrs.
Hilton's invitation, while Mabel, sec
onded by her guests, tried to change
the conversation, much to the relief
of the discounted host, who certainly
felt more angry than he chose to ap-
pear, and he as well as Mabel were
not sorry when at last the visitors
took their departure and they were
once more alone Then he gave vent
to his anger.
what did you mean, Mabel?" he
said, ''by refusing an invitation that
had already accepted for you and
myself?"
20, Harry! you know that as Cath
olics we may not attend Protestant
services" Mabel said firmly
Even so, it was quite unnecessary
to enlighten our friends on this point.
Most of them know I'm a Catholic
but if see nothing wrong in going
now and then to hear fine preacher
elsewhere, why should you?"
But the Church forbids it, his
wife went on bravely.
Purely an idea of bygone age
muttered her husband; then, in a
more affectionate tone: Go to church
where and when you like, little
woman, but don't expect me to be
held hard and fast by rules only fit
for the Middle Ages. At any rate,
we must go with the Hiltons next Sun
day if only for once"
81 cannot co." Mabel exclaimed
"Do as you like" was the cool re-
ply; 'but understand once for all that
in future / will have no interference
in matters of this kind, and that il
you wish to please me you will do
as I do"
I II cannot do this, Harry Mabel
said heartbrokenly, but he made her
no further reply and left the room.
Had | married Protestant, could
it have been worse?" she questioned.
ent Catholic!'
Time went on and the relations be-
tween the two daily became more
strained. Harry Foster was never
seen at st. AIMS now, and Mabel felt
utterly crushed when she heard Incl
dentally that her husband had become
; Free Mason. The birth of her little
girl was in one respect an added
misery, for the poor mother had to
struggle for the faith of her child as
well as her own, and though he did
not refuse to have his child baptized
yet there was scarcely an obstacle
he did not put forward to prevent hel
being brought up a practical Catholic
Only to Father Anthony could Mabel
speak of what she suffered She
hoped her mother might never heal
how her fears had been SO sadly
realized.
|, 20, Father she cried, how am
to bear it?"
Prayer and sacrifice" he whis
pered. ''The Sacred Heart is al
powerful and will enable you to beal
your cross bravely for as long as Goo
: wills you to bear it."
Mabels pleadings and Father An
thongs sterner rebukes were all il
: vain. Harry Foster gradually driftet
away 4IOA every SdtHOlIC lHHuGHCs
and there were certain rumors abroad
:, that in other ways he was going tt
: ruin as fast as he could go; thu,
it was not long before the report o
: his failure was well known in Wal
4 street. Even this did not bring hin
to sense of his folly, for before thu
public in general were well aware o
what had happened the once prosper
GUS young man had left New Yorl
and many long year was to pas
away ere it saw him again.
When Mabel heard of her husband
disappearance her first feeling wa,
4 one of relief for the sake of her child
this thought was quickly succeeded b,
that of intense sorrow for his down
fall. He had sacrificed his faith tt
win the worlds appreciation, and thi!
sacrifice had led to the loss of wha
III was considered as essential to success.