The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-04-25
THE CATHOLIC BULLETIN, APRIL Is, 1914

"and just go on as il you had never
called yourself child of the Church
But I've not been good child
of the Church." Margaret cried, 1--WE
been SO cold and Indifferent" Then,
as she realized that their interview
was about to end, she said piteously,
Father, won't you give me your
blessing before you go?"
The priest smiled. 81 have given
my last blessing" he said. Farewell,
and forget the past"
The door closed leaving Margaret
standing dazed and miserable, still
clutching in her fingers the paper that
had announced such direful news.
AS in dream she walked around
to the little church, and assembled the
familiar stone steps. She pushed
against the heavy door but it did not
yield.
With despairing cry the girl sank
to her knees. 20 dear Lord in the
tabernacle" she sobbed, ''is it true
that shall never again kneel at your
feet, that I have looked for the last
time on the lovely altar with it's lights
and flowers? 0 dear Sacred Heart,
how gladly would have come to con-
fession last night, and with what love
and fervor would I not have vel
coined you in Holy Communion this
morning, had I known it was my last
opportunity to be with you" Then
she thought of the faithful, devoted
friend to whom the dreadful tidings
would prove SO cruel blow, and she
cried out, 90 Jane, Jane, how shall we
ever live without our holy religion"
In the midst of her sobs, sound
fell on her ear. Some one was trying
to open the door from the inside Mar
garet arose from her knees, rent with
contending hope and fear.
In another instant, the great, heavy
door swung back, revealing a figure
which somehow seemed strangely
familiar. Then in a flash, Margaret
realized that the stranger before her
looked amazingly like a picture of
Saint Francis of Assist which hung
on the wall beside James head. There
was the same brown habit with the
cord encircling the waist, the san
daled feet,-yes, and on the face was
the same expression of kindness and
sanctity 1t was st. Francis himself
surely
"My child, what is the natter"
came in gentle tones from the brown
robed figure confronting her.
20 Father, O dear St. Francis!"
Margaret began. Then tremendous
Grassland she opened her eyes to
| find herself sitting bolt upright before
: the fire.
What has happened?" she exclaim-
ed grazing around her. Then she no.
ticed that the book she had been
reading had fallen against the crate,
producing the noise that had sounded
like a terrific defamation in her sleep
20 how thankful I am that all this
was only dream, and it's not too
late to go to confession, either" she
added, glancing at the clock. 'I'll
hurry down before Jane leaves the
, church" And hastily getting into
t hat and coat, she was soon on her
way with joyful heart to the church
t four blocks distant.
Jane was kneeling far up in front
near the Blessed Mothers altar; SO
she did not perceive her friend en-
tering the church. She was surprised
and greatly pleased when Margaret
joined her just as she was emerging
from the swinging doors.
Margaret's face glowed with peace
; and joy. JAMIE" she said, as they
went down the steps together, ''that
was the most consoling confession
ever made in my life, and mostly or
account of an awful dream l hat
since l last saw you" Then she re
: lated all she had gone through since
Jane had left her comfortably en-
sconced before the fire.
"And o, | just can't tell you how
thankful I am for having that dream
terrible as it was" Margaret exclaim
: ed as she concluded her story. Ell
: has served to teach me to appreciate
my faith, especially the great gift O
the Blessed Sacrament. And dear st
Francis, too, shall always have the
greatest devotion to him as long as
| live, and JAMIE" she whispered as
she patted her friends arm lovingly
: I'm going to join the Third Order
next Sunday, sure"
-Cathayfne Maria Haynes,
in the Franciscan Herald.