The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-02-22

wretched disappointment? No, that
can never be; the matter is simply
settled.
A few days later Father Donovan
received the following note:
Please, Father, have everything
arranged for Wednesday evening, June
2. / have decided definitely. Annie
Morton"
Father Donovan frowned. '"Poor
girl, she seems not to be decided so
definitely, after all, otherwise why is
she so afraid to face me? Well,
suppose this finishes it; no use talk
ing to her now During the next
two weeks the old priest never went
to the altar without praying for Miss
Morton. He had seen so much misery
accrue from unions such as this that
he shuddered at the idea of this girl,
whom he had known from catechism
class, to whom he had given her First
Holy Communion, entering mixed
marriage.
The following days passed like a
dream for Annie. So much had to be
arranged. She had given up her posi-
ton, and day by day she visited the
stores and shops to arrange her trous-
seau. The house had been selected
lovely cottage out in Woodlawn, with
broad porch and comfortable dormer
windows-and was faultlessly furnish
ed Each article had been selected by
the happy couple with tasteful discern
ment, and everything had been ar
ranged by the def hand of Annie. Her
little room on Cliff-street Annie had
Invested of all it's tawdry raiment. She
placed each little trinket away with
tender care; she would keep them all
as membranes Their was the pic
ture of the Sacred Heart, which her
mother had loved so much, her moth
er's old crucifix Her heart sighed,
as she placed these precious keep
sakes into the worn, old trunk, but
then as soon as she had Howard con-
verted they would get their honoured
place in the new home down in Wood
lawn. Annie was perfectly happy; she
felt as if by one step she was to be
transferred to Paradise. Even Father
Donovan's warning words did not dis
turb her now. She knew he was mis-
taken, and she only hoped that the
day would soon come when she could
give him the best proof of his blind
ness by leading Howard to him, a
docile convert Howard had never re-
fused her anything, how could he re-
fuse to take her religion if she ear
nestly entreated him to do SO?
When good Mrs. Hennesy came up
to Annies rooms on Sunday night to
announce Mr.. Williams, she was over
come by establishment. why, sure,
me child, you're lookin' grand tonight,
entoierly grand; you'd be fit bride
fer prince, We would, indeed" The
girl blushed at the profuse compli-
ments of her landlady, and hurried
down to the parlour, where Howard
was waiting.
"This time next week, Ann, we will
be out in Denver" said Williams, ris-
ing to greet her. "The trip will do
you good, am sure
Il hope it WILL" replied Annie with
smile, sit should, at any rate, for it
is the first trip have ever taken"
"The pure mountain air of Colorado
will take the Office dust from your
lungs; you will not look quite so pale
when we return. Then, Ann, there is
plenty of light and air out in Wood
lawn. I had the gardener out yester-
day. There will be bed of white and
pink asters right in front of the porch;
they will be in bloom when we come
home in August. I know you like
asters, Annie"
Howard had never seemed so dear
to her before; he would be indeed an
ideal husband, so considerate, so oblig-
ing, so lovable. They chatted long about
their new home, about the trip, about
all the happiness that was to come to
both of them, and it was half-past ten
when Howard rose to take leave.
"Well, have ordered a carriage at
Morley's for Wednesday evening. 1t
will be at the door at 8 o'clock. sup
pose the ceremony at Rev. Donovan's
will last about fifteen minutes. From
there we will be driven to our house
on Fifth Avenue. My father has ar
ranged for a small reception; you
heard all about that. BY the way,
Annie, do you know that my brother
is coming in from Wisconsin for the
ceremony"
your brother, Howard? Why, l
never even knew you had brother"
"Why, yes. He is somewhat older
than l. He is minister, you know;
his name is Rev. Walter Williams. l
am sure you will like him very much.
My father thought, this being fam
lily affair, it wouldn't be proper not
to invite him."
Eyes, certainly, Howard; it was to
be expected that he come for the re-
ception."
Nov, Annie, there is still another
matter 1 would like to settle" said
Howard, hesitatingly. you know my
father has arranged this matter, and
and-you know, he wants my brother
to perform the ceremony at the house;
certainly only after we come back
| from Father Donovan's."
The girl rose to her feet in an in
slant. her face as white as chalk.
What? What did you say?" she cried.
care you mad?"
Williams started. "Why, Annie" he