The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-04-27
Continued from page 81
KATHLEEN.

explained:
They would put me out of the shop
if they knew, the laws have become
that strict
Have you seen doctor?" asked
quietly.
Yes, Father-the dispensary doc
tor. He says one lung is all gone, or
nearly, and other is pretty bad"
my poor child" I said. why,
your mother told me nothing of this"
A look of pain tinged with resent
ment crossed the girls white brow
"She doesn't know, Father; and if
she did-well, it's only the pay en-
velope' they both seem to care for"
said Kathleen Mulcahey, a touch of
bitterness now in her young voice.
But, Father (she evidently wanted
to put that phase of her life aside),
you said some one was in trouble
and needed me. IT'S that brought me
tonight" And she looked at me ex-
pectantly.
God bless you'll" l said. Il knew
that would bring you. And-well,
I'm the one who is in trouble, Kath-
leen-"
I paused, and she looked at me a
trif1e incredulously I must admit.
I'm trouble-about you, Kathleen"
mo need, Father. Pm a good girl
yet" And she lifted her clear
glance to mine. Meeting it fully, I
knew she spoke the truth. But that
| "yet" stung me somehow like a whip
lash.
"a good girl" I repeated softly;
land always will be, Kathleen"
please God, Father! It won't be
for long. but" (and she lowered her
eyes and spoke almost in whisper)
Il wonder if anybody knows how hard
it is?"
| murmured an ejaculation.
I'm not complaining of the work"
she went on quietly; I'm used to that
now But-there are other things"
l waited and she added, her cheeks
kindling now and her eyes beginning
to glow:
1T doesn't matter so much about
me! for it seems have to leave it all
soon, anyhow" cher voice shook a
little); "but for the others girls, hun
dreds and hundreds of them, it does
matter. Think what it is, Father, to
be a young girl; to work steadily all
day from seven in the morning till six
at night, and then to come home to
dirt and drunkenness and quarreling
and misery! They say we mustn't
walk the streets at night. Why, where
can we go to get little peace, not to
talk of mouthful of fresh air and the
bit of good time every girl needs?"
She paused, and well, must con-
fess, had not words at that instant.
my home is like that, Father"
continued Kathleen. eff my father
comes home sober three nights out
of the seven, it's a wonder I've about
supported the family-there are six
younger than myself-since l was
twelve; and it's getting harder and
harder as the years go on. They need
SO many more things than they used
to. But" (and she pulled herself to-
gether) II didn't mean to complain
about this; l love the children, poor
things, What's mine is theirs"
! | waited a moment, my heart wrung
by the picture her few words had
placed before me. A quick fspasm of
pain crossed her mobile features, and
then she looked me almost challeng-
ingly straight in the eyes.
I'm not making the mission,
Father. I suppose that's what you've
heard about me-that and other
things" Over the concluding words
she flushed little
bowed my head mutely; it seemed
best to let her go on.
"And suppose the other things
were true, Father, what would you
say?"
''That depends upon the nature OF
the other things Kathleen"
The girl rose and walked away from
me quite to the other end of the room
When she turned again, there were
tears in her eyes.
Il think I'd better go, Father.
don't believe l ever can explain
things. And-and you've been so kind
to mel" She put out her hand timid
ly to say good bye:
Don't Kathleen I answered. 81
can understand perhaps far more than
you suppose
She looked at me steadily for a
moment; then she said almost in a
whisper, and her face paled instead
; of flushed this time:
We're so fond of each other, Faith
er-Brian and l; and now now
have to die!' her lips trembled, her
transparent fingers interlaced
Who and what is he, Kathleen? p
| said, trying to keep my voice steady
Nothing but poor boy-poor as
myself, Father" she replied, with
simple pathos. But we might have
had little home some day. He
doesn't drink and he's good and kind. :
"And so you have spent these even