Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-30

W e were tnen crossing d Wlue, iOlI-
ing plain that was almost destitute of
trees and looked from the moving
train. like green pillows of the sea
with grass growing over them. Father
Dan was reading his breviary for the
following day, not knowing what he
would have to do in 1t, when the sun
set in a great blaze of red beyond the
horizon. and then suddenly big
round black ball. like captive bal
loon. seemed to rise in the midst of
the glory
l called Father Dams attention to
this, and in a moment he was fear
fully excited.
Don't worry, my child" he cried,
while tears of JOY sprang to his eyes.
DO you know what that is? That's
the dome Of st. Peters! Rome, my
child, Rome!"
1t was 9 o'clock when we arrived at
our destination, and in the midst of a
great confusion l walked by Father
Dams side and held on to his vertical
pocket. while he carried his own bag,
and a basket of mine, down the
crowded platform to an open cab
outside the station.
head with his print handkerchief and
| sat close up to him, and the driver
cracked his long whip and shouted at
the pedestrians while we ratified on
and on over stony streets, which
seemed to be full of statues and
fountains that were lit up by a great
white light that was not moonlight
and yet looked like 1t.
But at last we stopped at little
door of a big house which seemed to
stand, with a church beside 1t, on a
high shelf overlooking the city. for
could see many domes like that Of st.
Peter lying below us.
The Reverend Mother.
A grill m the little door was first
opened and then a lady in a black
habit, with a black band round her
forehead and white bands down each
side of her face, opened the door
itself, and asked us to step in, and
when we had done so, she took us
down long passage into a warm
room, where another lady, dressed in
the same way, only a little grander
sat in big red armchair.
Father Dan. who was still wearing
his knitted muller bowed very low
to this lady, calling her the Reverend
Mother Magdalene, and she answered
him in English, but with a funny
sound which afterward knew to be a
foreign accent.
remember that thought she was
very beautiful, nearly as beautiful
as my mother, and when Father Oar
told me to kiss her hand 1 did so
and then she put me to sit in a chaiI
and looked at me.
What Is her age?" she asked
whereupon Father Dan said he
thought l would be that month
which was right, being October.
Small, isn't she?" said the lady
and then Father Dan said something
about poor mamma which I can moi
remember.
After that they talked about Other
things. and 1 looked at the pictures
on the walls-pictures Of saints and
Popes and, above all, a picture Of
Jesus with His heart open In His
bosom.
The child will be hungry" said
the lady. "She must have something
to eat before she goes to bed-ths
other children have gone already"
Then she rang hand bell, an6
when the first lady came back she
said:
ASK Sister Angela to come to nas
Immediately"
A few minutes later Sister Angela
came into the room, and she was
quite young. almost girl, with such
a sweet sad face that l loved hel
instantly.
This is little Mary O'Neill. Take
Der to the rei'ectorys and give hel
whatever she wants, and don't leave
her until she is quiet and comfort
able
Very well. Mother" said Sister
Angela, and taking my hand she
whispered: Come, Mary. you lool
tired"
rose to go with her, but at the
same moment Father Dan rose, too
and heard him say he must lose ne
time in finding a hotel. for the
bishop had given him only one day
to remain in Rome, and he had tC
catch an early train home the follow.
| ing morning.
To Be Continued Tomorrow.