The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-05

kind friend but for whom you would
never have made this journey
She looked at me inquiringly.
But for her you would have known
nothing of Venice" | continued. But
for her you would never have pre-
pared that address. Can't you see
that it is so?"
Yes, you are right never thought
of it" Gertrude replied.
81 hope, also. that you will let her
know you appreciate what her kind
ness has obtained for YOU"
Fanny would never bother about
that; she wouldn't care. She loves to
read and talk of foreign places. 1t is
her life. 1t pleases her above all
things to have me listen to her"
do not forget, at least, to say
goodbye to her. She will appreciate
it, l am sure"
"Oh, yes-I shall say goodbye, of
course. believe will go up as soon
as Aunt Sophie finishes packing my
trunk. might forget, you know
Everything is so exciting" With a
whirl of her short skirts Gertrude dis
appeared into the shop.
Two hours later | met her on the
stairs. 1--WE are off," she said. In
twenty minutes the cab will be here
Fanny asked me to tell the man to
stop on the opposite crossing so that
she might see me get in. Goodbye"
| went up to my room, set my simple
luncheon on the table and for the first
time thought l would invite my neigh
Dor to share it with me. I found her
on the window-seat, her head resting
against the jamb, her eyes closed, her
hands lightly folded.
Are you asleep" | inquired Il
came to ask you to take luncheon with
me-
She opened her gentle, tired eyes,
smiling sweetly as she looked up into
my face.
THANK you," she replied, "but ex-
cuse me, please Another time, if you
will be so kind l have slight head
ache, and will not eat anything until
evening. l think it must be the ex-
element"
What excitement"
"Of Gertrude's going. The joy of it
the strangeness of it. To think that
the child will see Venice, the idol of
my heart; that all her life long she
will have it to remember. The dear
thing is full of it."
"And to think, above all, if it had
not been for you it would never have
happened"
''How?' inquired the seamstress.
''Ah, neighbor Fanny, through my
open door l learn my things" said 1.
She blushed and turned her eyes
away.
Dear Miss, you are mistaken" she
said ''The child is so pretty, SO at
tractive, it was that"
Think so, if you like. But wish
you were in Gertrude's place"
Il? Such poor, lame creature
could never get about, even in gon-
dolas. They would have to lift me. l
would only be burden and a spoil
pleasure. l have my Venice always
here beside me. l can visit it when
ever l choose"
Have you never longed for it?"
Never That would be too foolish,
too presumptuous. Thank God have
never wished for what He has not
granted me-"
mot even for health?"
mo"
Il hope she will write that harum-
scarum Gertrude"
Il did not ask her to write; it might
take something from her supreme en-
| joyment, and the time is very short.
She may, but what can one expect of
a child? When she returns-ah, Miss,
that will be the climax of joy! We
can talk of it forever"
l saw two tears chase each other
down either pale and withered cheek.
why are you crying?" l asked,
trying to smile, as she put up her hand
to wipe them away.
From pure joy and happiness"
said Fanny Rotapfel.-~"
-Mdrp E. Mannir In the RosdrD Magazine.