The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-03

the Russian dancers, the leader of
the latest ballet at the Casino, and
finally the never-ending theme of luck
and play at the gaming tables served
in turns as topics of conversation.
The distasteful subject of the collec-
ton had been for the moment for
gotten, when the door of the dining
room opened to admit two of the Sis.
tiers whose work had given rise to
such adverse criticism. The elder Of
the two was tall and pale, and her
businesslike directness showed that
long use had Injured her to some ex-
tent to the unpleasantness of her task.
To the younger it was evidently an
ordeal that nothing less than heroic
obedience could have made her face.
Her long lashes dropped on the wild
rose flush of her cheeks, and her little
white hands trembled as she held her
empty plate toward the person near
est to her In spite of the previous
grumblings, most of the guests were
generous in their contributions, and
notes and silver soon arose in goodly
piles on both plates. The formula of
thanks of the elder nun was repeated
by the younger and she forgot some
of her agonizing shyness in the
thought that her beloved old people
would have all they needed now for
some time to come.
The Italian officer, who sat at the
end of the long table. as he quietly
hn% cd ncr
toward him, wondered what was fam
iliar to him in the graceful dignity
of the younger Sisters movements.
But his musings we're rudely inter
rupted by the voice of his neighbor,
the professor. The little Sister had
held her plate out to him with the
usual form of request.
"A donation for our old people, for
Gods sake, please"
With an Intentionally ironical bow,
the man had drawn his purse and
had laid a single cent amongst the
other money.
That" he said in contemptuous
tone, is all l feel called upon to
give to idlers and drunkards and
FOOLS" He had raised his voice, and
the exaggerated contempt that he put
into the last word drew attention to
the fact that he intended to include
in it the Sister herself as well as the
poor.
AS the professor spoke the Italian
officer sprang to his feet, and the on
lockers caught the flash of anger in
his eye as he bent in a bow before
the little nun.
81 am sorry, Sister," he said, lay
ing golden Louis on the centime
piece, "that cannot afford any more
for your admirable charity. / should
be honored," he continued, "if you
would allow me to shake hands with
YOU"
The professors insulting words had
apparently left the Sister unmoved;
but as, for an instant, she raised her
eyes to this young man who had
courage enough to make himself the
champion of the servants of God, he
saw that tears were trembling on
her lashes. But this he noticed only
subconsciousIy; for as she looked up
he realized why she had brought back
to him winter, some three or four
years gone by, which he had spent in
Rome
"Mademoiselle de B"
ooh, hush, hush, pleased"
The two EXPLANATIONS were spoken
at once, but those near at hand had
heard the name he had spoken-the
name of a princely family long famed
for bravery and brains and unswerv.
ing loyalty to God. II member OF
that family was a fool-well, she was
fool for Christ's sake
The collection was finished, and
now both Sisters stood together for a
moment. The younger one had laid
her hand in the officers outstretched
palm. But, bending, he raised to his
: lips, first those little white fingers
then the work hardened ones of hel
companion, before moving backward
to open the door and let them go
His sudden exclamation had not been
intended to reveal what the Sister
preferred should remain unknown
and all he could do now was to ignore
his recognition of his former acquaint
e ance.
It had all happened SO quickly that
the Sisters were in the doorway be
: fore those around had grasped what
had taken place under their own eyes
Only the professor understood il
: thoroughly. Something in the Sisters
demeanor, her calm dignity, had i'm
: pressed him; and, following in the
E officers act of homage and the dis
t covery of her identity, had suddenly
: shown him the pitiful ignorance, the
e cowardly insolence of his act and
: words. He was fanatically anti-re
!, ligious, and Christian, and for the
moment his fanaticism had over
whelmed his instincts as gentleman
+ But only for an instant. Before the
e door had time to close he was on his
: feet. The Sisters, seeing him stand
e ing before them, paused and immedi
r ately he spoke, so that everyone il
/ the room should hear:
e 81 must apologize for what have
; just said and done" and now he, too
t bowed as he spoke. And especially
to you, Sister, who 7 Intentionally in
r suited can only beg of you to accep
my sincere apology" Tie laid ;
/ hundred franc note on the plate OF
4 which the elder Sister had gathered