The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-17

1T sounds SO when you call me
small Jane" admitted Jennie. There's
something incongruous about the title
and falling in love. How can you tell
when it's folly and when it's tragic?
is to know when it's going to be a
lifelong joy or sorrow as the case
turns out, or when it's temporary.
Sometimes I think I am one of the
kind of people who take after Casabi-
anco-stand no matter how hot the
fire gets! But of course l haven't
had chance to try it. I've asked you
before, but I can't seem to understand
your explanation. What's the matter
with Jack?"
HE earns a respectable salary"
began Helena.
"And is respectable himself" inter
rupted Jennie.
probably rather more than that; but,
my dear little sentimental Jennie, you
can't live on mere responsibility, not
on goodness, not even on sanctity.
It's pity, but it's true said Helena.
Still less can you live on charm,
clever little drawings for invitations, a
barytone voice that is delight, nor
on sense of humor and ready cour-
tesy."
isn't that list" cried Jennie, stop
ping rocking and sitting erect. "And
it's every word true! Add to that
genuine, manly silent piety and it
sounds rather ideal, doesn't it? AS il
a woman might be called Fortunate,
and might afford to forego an opera
and an extra hat or two year who
had such a husband! And' let me
tell you, Helena, if one can't live on
the courtesy and the sense of humor,
one may come unpleasantly near the
dying of the lack of them!'
Helena looked up. THAT was rather
mature speech for you, Jennie.
admit that lack of a sense of humor
has wrecked many a marriage" she
said.
"Who was it said that there was
nothing more fatal to a happy marriage
than a sense of humor in the woman
and a lack of it is the man? I think
l have a sense of the ridiculous!" OBJ
served Jennie.
Common sense is good ALSO" said
the elder sister sententiously.
Helena we never said it aloud, but
you and I know that this means Mr.
Harding" said Jennie with flash of
anger in her dark blue eyes, which
could flash under their dark lashes
"Mr. Harding is an upright, honor
able
wealthy, dull, prosy, tiresome man,
who never had to study geography be-
is about the spot where he happens to
be! Talk about a sense of humor!"
cried Jennie.
Jennie, you are too young to gauge
values anywhere near correctly" cried
Helena annoyed. IT am willing to
admit that Mr. Harding is not enter.
taining-well, then! that he is trif1e
tiresome," Helena amended in re-
spouse to Jennie's gesture. But he
is a settled character; you would be
safe with him. He has great wealth
and you would be a happy woman with
all the power he would give you to
do good, help others, shed happiness
in all ways. That would be an espe'
cial delight to one of your nature.
know that when you are in middle life
you will bless me for guiding you
into such a haven, such a full life
In any case, Jennie, we may as well
understand each other. I have never
but it must be said. I am far older
than you; the actual four years be
tween us do not represent the differ
ence. This is partly because my ma
ture is so unlike yours, partly because
l had to take mothers place wher
you were so small that it forced me
to grow up in childhood. I am goins
to appeal to the authority which this
gives me over you. I will not con
sent to your marrying John Lamb
will not listen to any discussion
of an engagement between you, how
ever long you might be wiling to make
it. John Lamb has mother to sup
) port. An engagement between yot
: would be long, indeed! So my dea,
l little sister, either you are to give VI
all thought of John Lamb or" Helen;
: hesitated.
l cor all thought of you, Helena?
, said Jennie, rising, the happiness com
: pletely gone out of her face. eff you
cast me off it would not be the wa!
to stop my thinking of you. I should
go about saying to myself: Helena
/ Helena, who thought loved me! Car
| such things BEL" For after all, Helena
I should not have done anything
: wrong, not even disgraceful in the
worlds eyes, if I married the yer,
/ best man I shall ever meet, for low
of him! 1t seems quite dreadful t.
4 be discussing Jack like this. He hasn'
: asked me to marry him. I think II
take a walk
S "But if he does ask you to MARI,
4 him." Helena persisted.
2 ct think I'll take walk" repeate'
: Jennie. ST wish you hadn't hinte,
you might cast me off for saying ye
q to Jack, l don't suppose you woul
q do it, butt wish you had not hinte
u it."
e She went down the steps slowly
e without looking back. She rarely lei