The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-01-06
Continued from page 81
A CHRISTMAS PLEDGE.

- WAC FLEDS@'
In the meantime Margaret had torn
open the telegram and was reading
the contents:
Have been detained in W, but
will be with you bright and early to
wish you a merry Christmas.-J. B.
Clifton"
"Too bad!" Margaret exclaimed
aloud. But, after regretful pause, she
added: 81 suppose l mustn't worry
over what can't be helped, so now for
quiet afternoon
Selecting a book from one of the
numerous cases, she drew chair to
the hearth and commenced to read.
But, despite herself her thoughts re-
verted to Frank Norwood and the con-
versation she had with him on her
way home. She had been in earnest
when she spoke of her desire to do
some real good to usher in the Christ
mas feast. Her words were not merely
the outpouring of some passing emo
ton, inspired perhaps, by the hour she
had spent before the altar OF st.
Xavier's, but the sincere expression OF
long thought. She was of that hum
BILE nature which never sees the good
it really does, but only the vast field
vet remaining to be accomplished;
hence the genuine self-deprecation ex-
pressed in her words to the young
lawyer.
The entrance of a servant aroused
Margaret from her reflections. She
looked up as the girl, crossing the
room, handed her note.
1.-THE boy that brought it said there
was no answer, maam."
VERY WE'LL" replied Margaret care
lessly. But her heart quickened its
pulsings as she recognized the writing:
Dear Miss Clifton: In the light OF
the past hours events, I am beginning
to regard my parting words to you as
in the nature of a prophecy.
Just after left you I met Bob Far
rington He has quite philanthrop1c
practice in the poorer section OF the
city, and as we walked along he told
me of very sad case he had just left
1.-THE patient-Martha Gregson is her
name-is dying rapidly. She has no
relatives, and has been wholly depend
ent upon the charity of the neighbors.
They have taken turns in remaining
with her, but somehow the fact spread
among them that she is not expected
to live through the day, and, owing to
a foolish superstition about being with
dying person on Christmas eve, no
one can be persuaded to stay with her.
Bob said he had 'phoned' to the hospi-
tails, but could not secure nurse, and
the woman is too ill to be moved.
after he left I suddenly remem-
bered our conversation, and decided to
write to you about the case. If you
we're really in earnest, Fate has In
deed played into your hands.
"As ever, sincerely yours,
FRANK NORWOOD"
At the bottom was the woman's ad.
dress.
Margaret read the letter second
time, then rose with the air of one who
has reached a decision, and, crossing
the room, pressed bell.
Tell James to bring around the car
riage in fifteen minutes she said
when the maid answered the summons
"And, Ellen, ask the cook to fix me a
basket of nourishing food as quickly
as she can; and put in some candles
too,' she added. And the girl, with a
questioning look, hurried off.
Half an hour later. Margaret was
mounting the stairs of small tene
ment house at the other end of the
city. She was not afraid, for she real
lied that the neighborhood, though
poor, was eminently respectable. Yet
she glanced now and then, as if fol-
encouragement, at the letter she held
in her hand.
Second floor, room back" she read
} Then this must be the place." and
! after a moments hesitation, she
knocked on the door in front of her.
"Come I'M" sounded feeble voice
| and Margaret stepped into the room.
A poverty-stricken room it was. illu
! minated only. by the dull light which
, penetrated through window high UP
In one corner Of the wall. 1t enabled