The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-12-13


was still occupied with his lost child
he resolved that. while he himself
could have but little share in the Joy
of the season. he would gladden. one
home this Christmas by adopting
some poor child.
Mass over, he went to the Crib,
where he offered and begged our
Lords blessing upon his resolution.
While he was kneeling there, almost
hidden behind pillar, he heard a
stealthy step, and looking up, saw a
little girl coming cautiously to the
Crib, as if afraid of being seen. She
held one hand tightly on her cloak
as if concealing something under
meath. Then kneeling just before the
Bambino, and, leaning over, she
stretched quickly the hand inside her
cloak and placed something that seem
ed to glitter in the dim candle-light,
for the chapel where the Crib stood
was darkened, on the arms of the lit
tie statue; Lawrence heard half
whisper: From little Winnie, dear
child Jesus" then she ran off.
What had she left there? Lawrence
would go and see. 1t was a sprig of
holly-a choice sprig, full of plump
red berries. But what had made it
glitter so? All, this was it; twisted
round the holly, and evidently broken
off from the child's neck, was worn
silk ribbon and, attached to the rib
bon, a silver medal. Lawrence de-
tached the medal intending to take it
to the little girl. While he was doing
this his thoughts were busy. Can
this be the child l am to adopt? |
have only just made the resolution,
am l even now to carry it into effect ?
At all events l will inquire into it. -
He found her just outside the
church,"
What is your name, my dear?"
winnie"
winnie what?" Then, seeing that
she did not understand, What is your
other name?"
Winnie, only Winnie"
with whom do you live?"
with Grannie."
'Will you take me to Grannie?"
She put her little hand in his and
they walked along together; the child
now and then calling upon him to
notice something, or prattling in a
quiet pleasant wayne, buried in the
thought of what might have been,
were it not for that fierce storm and
the cruel waters; now he would have
to be content with a strangers child.
Yet very pretty was little Winnie as
she stepped out by his side; very pref
ty with her wavy yellow hair, her
oval, somewhat pale face, and regular
features; and as she looked up with
her blue sparkling eyes into Law
rence's, he felt a kind of charm he
could not account for, and half
formed question seemed to rise in his
mind, yet he knew not what he would
ask himself. But his thoughts were
still on the past and on his little one.
Then looking on Winnie: Just what
my little Maggie might have been,
and just her age. If it is she that /
am to take, might have done worse. p"
Presently they stopped at the gate
of little cottage and Winnie led her
companion through the garden to the
door. Then, lifting the latch, she
stepped aside, and, with a smile on
her lips, invited him to enter.
How late you are, child" said a
voice from within; what makes you
so late? Annie Taylor and Jane have
been home some time-you should
have come with them
Here's a gentleman, Grannie."
Then came forward a comedy
woman of about sixty years of age,
of pleasing appearance, but in COM
plexion and feature a contrast to the
fair child. She was dressed with
cloak and bonnet and had book in
her hand, evidently reedy to go to
the next Mass.
Grannie greeted her visitor cheerily
and placed chair for him by the
fire. Il thank you for bringing Win
ME home, sir" she said; "I'm al
ways anxious when she's a few min
utes late; though she usually comes
and goes both to church and school
with my neighbours children"
Winnie and I have made friends, -
replied Grey: ito say the truth, I have
taken a fancy to her."
Eyes, she is a pleasing child; most
people take to her."
"You are her grandmother her
parents alive? Can / see them? I
have something in view for the little
one"
ooh, no, sir, I'm not her grand
mother. She calls me 'Grannie' and
has done so ever since she could
speak. But she's nothing to me,
really-and as for her parents,
Heaven knows where they are or if
are're living. But look upon her
as my own, now"
But how did you come by herr"
my son brought her in one night
bleak November night, with fear
full storm raging in which scarce any
boat could live. He was a sailor
was my son."
But the child-when did this
happen?"
Five years ago, last third of No
vember That's why we call her
Winnie"
"Ah!-go on" and Lawrence rose
from his chair in his eagerness to
hear the end