The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-03-28

of character in the prim little woman
and was purposely blind to the half
concealed antagonism with which she
had treated him on the several occa-
sions when he had called on business
What fine Catholic matron she
would Make he often thought to
himself, and now as in the intensity
of her words she spoke naturally, he
repeated to himself.
Il had not noticed, Mrs. Grant, that
he was troubled in mind about any
thing. Perhaps l have been too wrap
ped up in my own affairs, but you
may be sure I shall watch him closely
and if there is any possible way l can
help, you may depend on me to do So"
Mrs. Grant was relieved as he
drove down toward the cottage. She
felt as though load was lifted from
her mind. In truth she had enlisted
a strong ally on her side, for from
that moment Father O'Brien began to
study his friend. 1t did not take long
to find out that Silas Grant had an
uneasy mind and that it was affecting
his nerves to a certain extent. Other
people too had begun to pass remarks,
such as:
Squire Grant is falling" Squire
Grant is losing his grip" etc.
The young priest tried in every way
possible to get at the root of the mat
ter without exciting the Squire's sus-
picions, but it seemed impossible.
Once the Squire started to speak on a
matter which he said had been worry
ing him and which Father O'Brien
felt was the important matter, but he
had scarcely opened the subject when
he changed his mind. 1t really was
the very thing he had been trying to
get at, but Silas had grown to like
the priest very much and he had
brooded on the subject so long that
it seemed like a terrible crime. He
dreaded losing the respect of his
friend, so he kept it to himself and
sent it more deeply inside.
It was June when Mrs. Grant spoke
to him. The summer months wore
on, each day leaving it's mark on
Silas. August came in frightfully hot
and as the days seemed to be taking
the very life blood from his friend
Father O'Brien, who had been pray
ing for him many times day, re.
solved to breach the subject to him.
1t was the first week in August and
together they were inspecting the
foundation of the new church.
How Tim Murphy would have re.
joiced to have seen the church start.
ed" Father O'Brien said, turning to
Silas, land that reminds me of an.
other subject, I have Tim to thank
for the generous friend | have found
in you"
He held out his hand, which Silas
grasped warmly. The priest held it
in his two hands and all his eager
desire to help shining in his eyes he
said feelingly:
my dear friend, I would not be a
sincere friend if I had not noticed
that you have been troubled in mind
about something. Please let me help
you if it is in my power"
Silas dropped his eyes, he made an
effort to speak and then shook his
head sadly. When at length he spoke
his voice sounded very gruff as he
said:
THANK you, my friend, if any power
on earth could give me an easy minC
I would ask your assistance"
Father O'Brien once the subject
was opened would not so easily give
in. He said solemnly, "If no friend
on earth can help you, call on the
friends in heaven. There is Our Lady
of Perpetual Help, ask her to hell
you" Then as a cynical look came
over the Squires face at the mention
of the Blessed Mothers name he sale
earnestly:
my friend, I have especial devo
ton to the Blessed Mother because
l was born on one of her great feas
days, the Feast of the Assumption
on the fifteenth of August.
Each year I make a novena, Of
nine days prayer before the feast anC
on that day ask her for favor which
she has never failed to grant. Nov
I do not know what your trouble il
and you never told me but this veal
on the fifteenth day of August l shall
ask her to grant to you, my friend
peace of mind, and just as believe
firmly in the power of her interces
sion l believe she will grant to you
peace of mind such as you have never
known before"
Silas Grant was frankly incredulous
but the young priest smiled wise
kindly smile as he said:
"Wait and see. my friend, wait and
see."
The days went by slowly enough
and Silas seemed to grow more
weary each day. The first day Father
O'Brien's words reused in him a faint
stirring of hope, but as each day drag.
ged by and he saw little of the busy
priest, the hope died within him.
The feast of the Assumption came
at last and Silas rose that morning
early, a faint curiosity stirring within
him as to what excuse the father
would have to offer when he had to
acknowledge failure.
He smiled grimly. Perhaps he
wouldn't have been so quick to prom
Use if he knew the power to give me
peace of mind lies in the hands of a
man who is already crumbling into
dust"
His restlassnesS all daY nearly drove