The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-04-13

thing conquered me. / am very ambi-
tious, too much SO perhaps. My uncle
has done SO much for me, / refused
further help after college days. He
believes in me, and / was determined
to show him that his pride and belief
were not ill-founded. I have worked
hard. No one but struggling young
lawyer could realize the strenuous life
these years have meant to me. Then,
as | have gained the foothold I have
fought for, fell in love like the veriest
schoolboy with girl who is worse
than obscure. Her father is byword
among her neighbors and acquaint-
ances. He is common drunkard, dis
honest, with no gentlemanIy instincts.
/ can not believe that she is his
daughter. Her mother is different.
Perhaps you will despise me when I
tell you that hesitated. It seems to
me that I owed it to my uncle and to
myself to avoid such marriage. 1t
was no use, however. Logic went to
the winds before my -overmastering
love. found myself urging her with
all the power of which I am capable
to become my wife. But she refuses
absolutely. Nothing can change her.
She says that, when she found out
about her father, she made up her
mind that marriage was not for her
I can not tell you all she said She
talked fuently, and her conclusions
were logical, but I find that can not
live live without her. I love her with
a mature mans passion. After all
these years I have fallen a victim to
the feeling that has often puzzled me,
and which I have secretly ridiculed.
My uncle has heard of what he is
pleased to call my intended mesalli-
ance. don't blame him; he doesn't
know her. But I must win the woman.
And confess I am powerless. Can
you suggest any means of overcoming
her resolution?"
docs she love you?" I asked.
'She does not deny it. I believe she
does" Mr.. Andrews voice was so
humble-even meek-that hardly
recognized it.
81 fear it is hard proposition, but
have known women to change their
minds under similar conditions" I
observed rather lamely.
"Have your" he began eagerly: then
in tone of deep detection, But you
don't know her. She is sweet and
lovable but immovable on this point
She not only believes it will injure my
career, but she refuses on the score
of heredity. If she were an opposing
lawyer. I would admire her clear,
forcible statement of objections, but
as it is I am indignant and detected
in turn. feel helpless with your sex,
Miss Townsend. I hoped you might
suggest some method yet untried."
Il fear I can do little, Mr.. Andrews;
but if you will let me think it over
may be able to suggest something"
"And if my uncle talks with you,
you will present my side of it," he
urged with that new humble air which
was so utterly foreign to him.
I smiled inwardly at the unlikeli-
hood of his elderly experienced uncle
consulting or even mentioning the sub
ject to strange stenographer in his
nephew's Office! But then, after Mr..
Andrews confidence, why not the del
uge?
We went on with the days routine
as if nothing had interrupted. would
have sworn it was all a dream, only
for the pallor and haunting eyes be-
fore me. Whatever it meant to the
women, for the man it spelled tragedy.
| wondered who the women was and if
she really were worthy of such devo-
ton. For I liked Dean Andrews. His
honor was unimpeachable. He talked
of a ruling ambition, but he had proved
to me that honor and love were above
and beyond it.
I hurried home anxious, as always,
about Louise I found her i'll and with
her, Miss Clafin, her teacher. The
attack was nothing serious, but al
ways worry about the child. She is
all that I have. insisted on Eliza
beth Clafiin staying to tea. Her kind
ness to Louise had won me at first,
and since then her own sterling worth
and charming personality had made
me her warm friend. She was the
only one with whom I was at all init
mate. She had been Louise's teacher
for three years when I had taken her
from the public schools to the excel
lent private one where Elizabeth was
assistant.
After the dishes were washed and
put away and Louise was asleep, lay
on my couch in my tiny sitting-room,
while Elizabeth sat near in my big
chair We sat while without talk
ing; Elizabeth is so restful and under
standing. Then;
"You are tired, dear"
"And you are ill.," I retorted.
81 am perfectly WELL" Elizabeth as
serted eagerly.
tits no use playing Sapphire with
me-" I said, severely. TN all these
weeks what have you been doing to