The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-23

5IAtAOuS UuL remember, nave QGVel-
oped with. the age; j am too modern
to be cajoled into believing what I
cant reason. That's why have no
faith In God, much less in Christ. Why,
Margaret, IL He were as you claim, He
would display His power to a greater
extent"
To which Margaret would reply,
There is God, Eunice, and there is
q Christ, and some time you will be
q witness to His power. May He
grant that it won't be too late for you
to admit it,
But such words as these never mar
red their usual happiness and their
companionship was replete with fond
memories.
Shortly after the engagement to
Frederic Payne was announced,
Eunice Dalton's father died, leaving
her the only heiress and owner Of the
Eyre, the magnificent Dalton resi-
dence in Oaklands. She spent little
time in mourning life was too
short, she said and, suppressing her
all the pleasure of debutante. The
Eyre re-echoed. with merriment.
Never before were there such bright
and happy times, and when the Christ
mas holidays were nearing she ar
ranged a select house party for Christ
mas eve in honor of her affianced hus-
band, an affair destined to eclipse any
previous gaiety at the Eyrie.
The morning before Christmas was
cold and cherries. The leaden sky
and bowling north wind, with frequent
furries of snow, gave promise of a
severe storm. Eunice Daltons usual
high spirits were depressed by the
weather, and her detection sank to
keen disappointment when telegram
from Payne postponed his coming
until evening.
At noon the storm grew into rag
ing blizzard. Many of those invited,
seeing the inclemencies, sent their
regrets. Others arrived slowly, and
when evening came few were present
the honored guest being absent.
The interruption of Frederic Payne's
plans for Christmas eve was the result
Of his generous disposition. In prepa-
ration for a business career, he had
labored in the different departments
of his fathers factory to become
acquainted with the several branches
Of the trade. His frank and sympa-
thetic manner had won the esteem of
every man in the place; and on the
morning before Christmas his fellow
workmen presented him with beau
tiful loving cup. Deeply affected by
their good will, he sought some means
of showing them that the election
was mutual. Suddenly he remembered
| that Christmas was the next day, and
a remembrance could be given to each
workman without it's being considered
a recompense. He went at once to
work on his quickly formulated plan
A wire to- Oaklands suficed to post
pone his only engagement, and during
the next few hours he was busily in
\ scribing his autograph on number OF
| Christmas cards which, with some gold
coins, he placed in the pay envelopes
of his employees.
Darkness had settled over the storm.
swept country when he started for
Oaklands. The train was late and
traffic was impeded by the drifting
snow. Within a mile of the Oaklands
station the locomotive became dis
abled, and no further progress could
be expected for hours.
The ever-thoughtful Payne was
troubled lest his delay might disap
point his fancee, and he looked fol
another way to reach her. He argued
that it would not be difficult to make
his way through the snow to the man
sion. Once determined, nothing cou1e
dissuade him and, despite the almost
forcible protests of trainmen and pas
sengers, he swung off the steps of the
car and plunged into the galea
The evening wore on at the Eyrie
Eunice Dalton, disappointed at Payne's
non-appearance, excused herself to hel
guests and the festivities ceased. She
was about to retire when Margaret
hurriedly entered the room. The girl
greeted her with, why. Margaret, not
in bed yet? You'll oversleep tomor-
row, and you won't be able to attend
your superstitious church customs for
Christmas She stopped short, for
she perceived frightened expression
on Margaret's face. Whats the mat.
ter? You almost unnerve me-"
Il was just looking outdoors and there,
right south of the house, is a man cry.
ing for help. Shall let him in? It is
so. cold outside Please break your
rule against allowing strangers in the
house. Remember, it's Christmas eve
too"
| !. Continued on page6)