The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-06-29
Mary turned toward the parcel with
suddenly awakened curiosity.

Mary turned toward the parcel with
suddenly awakened curiosity.
What have you bought, Aunt
Kitty? A new dress? suppose you
can have no end of pretty clothes
nowadays she remarked, awaiting
with an expectant smile.
Mrs Morrison reached for the
parcel trifie reluctantly. At Berkley
it was customary to display purchases
for the admiration of relatives and
neighbors, and discuss with them the
plans for making up" She undid the
wrappings, and the bright folds of the
goods fell into Mary's lap, casting
rejecting glow across her pale face.
at must be fine to be able to buy
such beautiful things she remarked,
with wistful expression. Her glance
wandered about the long room with
it's we'll filled bookcases, leather COW
cred furniture and polished wood
work, then beyond where the open
doors of the adjoining room disclosed
to view the shining surface of grand
piano.
you have a piano, too, Aunt Kitty!
May-may l see it?' she asked
eagerly.
Certainly, Mary Go in and play
anything you like" She followed her
niece into the little music room, and
the girls fingers sought the keys of
the instrument with the quick instinct
of the music-loving soul.
Mrs. Morrison stood at the window,
gazing out, while Mary played. It
would soon be spring; little patches
of green we're showing on the brown
surface of the lawn, but the chill of
March was still in the air, and grey,
ominous clouds were gathering
threateningly in the west. Mary
played on, changing from one to
another of the few simple pieces she
knew; there was beauty and express
sion in her playing A sudden feeling
of misery smote Mrs. Morrison's
heart, as she remembered the old
broken down instrument in a corner
of her sisters little sitting room at
Berkeley Her niece turned reluctantly
from the piano at last.
Its beautiful" she reclared I'D
love to play on that forever! Father
O'Brien wants an organ for the
church at Berkeley. He asked mother
if I might take lessons and learn to
play for the Masses. Father says per-
haps I can if-if the crops and the
stock do we'll this year, She was
pinning on her hat while she spoke
Cant you stay over until tomor-
row, Mary?"
mo, Aunt Kitty, I'd like to, but l
promised mother 1 would be back on
the afternoon train. It's almost
spring and there's the sewing to be
done now, and the gardening later,
you know
Mrs. Morrison sighed. She did know
so we'll those incessant demands on
time. Stepping to corner of the room
where the telephone stand stood, she
ordered the carriage from the stable
in spite of Marys repeated demand to
be allowed to walk. She carried out
the pile of bundles herself, and after
saying goodbye, stood with the March
wind whipping -chillingly about her
until the coachman turned out of
Howard Avenue towards the station.
Then in a strange, dreary mood she
went back to her seat by the library
fire.
The velvet carpet under her feet;
the rich shimmering folds of the rose
colored silk on the table; all the OBJ
jects of the beautiful room seemed to
accuse her of some cold, heartless
neglect. Mary had come like ghost
of her past, bringing back unpleasant
memories of all she had left behind
her. In sharp contrast against her
own present life of ease and luxury
stood the dull, cherries existence
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