The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-02-08

unused, watching him intently.
The priest was aroused from his
reverie by soft voice calling: "Youl
mail, Father"
Taking bundle of letters from the
postmistress, he quit the store anG
walked modify homewards. The
happy, smiling countenance of the
young man haunted and Knocked him
Gould one so educated and refined
so energetic and vigorous, be forever
content in this windswept, lonely vii
lage on the hills? Father Thorne
shuddered and turned up the collar
of his coat. Instead of entering the
rectory, he proceeded slowly up the
road, and entered the cemetery thai
crowned the top of the hill.
The scene around him was weird
The sun hung like red disk over the
western peaks, shooting a few feeble
beams through the silver mist Tt
the priests right was Grayson, a strag
Cling village that chung tenaciously
to the hillside. Red and white farm
houses decked the slopes and lay scat
tered throughout the surrounding val
ley. From the center of the village
white road wound in and out among
the woods and gullies, like a great
snake, until it ended abruptly at the
railway station in the hollow.
On his left, midway between the
summit and base of the hill, was g
quarry. All day long the breaker
ground and dumped heaps of stone
into immense buckets. These were
carried on cable to cars waiting il
the valley, and then were shipped tC
a nearby city, to be used in making
soda, borax and other household neces
stiles.
The loneliness of the village, the
barrenness of the hills and valleys
that had just cast off their winter
shroud, seemed to the watcher the
epitome of desolation. He loved the
city and it's call was in his ears. The
flare of the electric lamp, the jangle
of cars, the rush of the auto, and the
thousand noises that pulse and throI
in city's bosom, all appealed to him
And then his large congregation O.
energetic. parishioners-he had LEFT
all to come to this. He had beer
here but a week, and oh, how he
longed to get away! With sigh, he
turned back to his house.
Supper was over, and Jenny, the ole
housekeeper, entered to clear the
table.
Jenny" the priest said, standing il
the doorway, II met young man il
the post-office today. 1 wonder if yor
know him."
Father Thorne gave an accurate de
scription of the person in question.
Il think they called him Jim," he
concluded.
Jenny's face lit up with knowing
smile.
''It was Mr.. Rockwell. A very fine
boy. He and his sister live at Oak
dale, the country home of the Rock
wells for generations"
81 wish to meet him and know hin
better"
Call on him, Father He and his
sister would be glad to see you. They
are very NICE"
The priest turned into his study
and sat at his desk. The letter he
had started lay before him, and hi
resolved in his mind what he was tt
write his superior.
''Your Lordship:
after weeks residence at Gray
son, 1 find it absolutely impossible
to remain longer. Remember, yol
promised"
He could get no farther, for a feel
ing of shame at his cowardice cam,
over him. A low wind moanet
through the pines outside his window
and the bright, happy face of tn
mysterious Jim Rockwell flashed be
fore him. He could write no NOR
that night Dropping his pen, he too
up book to while away the crawlin
hours.
One morning, week later, Fathe
Thorne drove along the road that lie
northward. Ten minutes passed bt
fore he turned into a lane, lined O.
each side by tall oak-trees. He dreV
up in front of the house and leape
from the carriage. With a CHEEKY we
come a little old man came aroun
from the barn and took charge of tn
priests horse. Father Thorne mour
ted the broad steps that led to tn
veranda, but before he could ring tn
bell, door swung open.
Good morning, Father" a clea
voice called
Mr.. Rockwell, presume?"
The two clasped hands.
you don't mind this unsolicite
call?" the priest continued as he TO
lowed his host into the hall.
"You are thousand times welcome
am delighted you came. heard tina
new priest would take charge.
would have called, but I have bee
away since / saw you in the pos
Office"
Father Thorne cast quizzics
glance at him. Rockwell noticed
and smiled.
Il am one of your flock, Father"
He led the priest through the dir
ing-room into a large sun-parlor tina
flanked the entire south side of tn
house. ALI day long the warm ray
from heaven poured through the glass
bathing every nook and corner wit
their radiance. At present an Apr
sun flooded the room, and fell upo