The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-17
Continued from page 6 }
RRlDGET'S. PICTURE.

eyes closed, he turned his head upon
the pillow, and fell asleep.
Still and motionless, lest she should
disturb him, Bridget remained upon
her knees, her eyes fixed upon the
picture she loved SO WELL
After while, the door was pushed
softly open, and Mrs. Deemster enter
ed the room, on tip-toe, carrying a
little shaded lamp, which she placed
table, at some distance from the bed.
You can go, Bridget I will stay"
she said in whisper. rs there any
changer"
Eyes, oh! ma'am"-Bridget could
scarcely speak for emotion-"he is out
of danger-See! He has been consci-
GUS and now sleeps like-a baby"
The mother gazed anxiously into
the lads face, then, with deep sob,
she sank on chair, and covered her
eyes with her hands.
"This-is-wonderf The DOCTOR"
she muttered, gave but little hope"
God is good" said Bridget gently.
Let us thank Him for His mercy"
Mrs. Deemster started and looked
round and, as she did so,. she caught
sight of the picture at the foot of the
bed. In suppressed anger, and grasp
ing the arms of the chair, she stood
up.
Take away that thing" she Kissed
from between her teeth. II forbade
you to keep it in the kitchen, and you
audaciously bring it here. Take it
away, at once"
Bridget stole across the room. 1t
grieved her to obey the woman's
orders, but she dared not refuse to do
so. Sadly and slowly she put out her
hand. AS she touched the picture
Raymond moved uneasily and as she
lifted it away, he uttered cry:
Leave it, Bridget" he moaned. "Oh,
leave it. The Holy Infant and His
dear Mother. If they go-I die-and
Il am not ready. Leave them near
mel implore."
HE wanders, my poor boy!" Mrs.
Deemster cried, wringing her hands.
ooh! why did you deceive me, Bird
get? The fever has not left him yet.
But put back the picture, his sick
fancies must be humored. Put it back,
there, yes That's where it was"
Joyfully the girl obeyed, and soon
the picture hung where it had been
before. The light from Mrs. Deem
sters lamp fell full upon the holy
faces, and to Bridget's faith and loving
fancy they seemed to glow with life
and color, The picture was beautiful.
No one could say it was old or faded,
none.
"Jesus, dear Lord, let my cry wake
Thy mercy" murmured Bridget. Let
the light from Thy countenance shine
on Raymond, and give him peace"
She glanced at the sick boy, as the
words left her heart, and the radiance
of his face told her that her prayer
had been answered.! In another,
instant, with deep sigh of content,
Raymond fell asleep.
Ten years later a young priest, with
an expression of peaceful happiness in
his fine face, stood waiting, one after
noon, in Mrs. Deemster's parlor.
ut seems only the other day." he
smiled, that the mater was so indig-
nant at a Catholic servant being sent
to her, and yet how much has hap
pened-"
The door opened and Mrs. Deemster
came in.
Father Raymond! My dear SOM"
She carried his hands to her lips and
kissed them reverently, then clasped
him in her arms. "You have seen
Stellar"
Il have seen Stella She's as happy
as queen"
yes, and I'll be there to see, dear
lad"
Il expected you would Thank God,
we are all Catholics now, mater"
Thank God, indeed. Your example
and Stella's led me into the true
Church"
And Bridget, by her goodness and
piety, showed us the way we should
CO. Under God, mater, we owe every
thing to Bridget"
Yes; that I will not deny"
Where is she, mater? I must see
the GEAR soul.''
"Sne's in the kitchen. I'll call her
in"
NO; I'll go to her, and look once
niure upon that blessed picture"
AS you will, DEAR" she answered
smiling. "She will be more than glad
TO see you"
"Of that am quite sure, mater" he
cried gaily, and in moment he was
gone.
Clara MuihoLland. in RosorD Magazine.
@M 400 @M Wm