The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31
Continued from Page 81
AN INFINITE HOPE.

the hospital door, on his arrival, and
escorted him to the accident ward
where, on a cot in a secluded corner,
still unconscious, lay Joe's wife.
Father Grey turned hastily to the
chaplain and gave him Joe's name and
that of the firm he worked with.
There is a child also," he added,
"but the father can decide whether or
not to send for him." The chaplain
left the room at once and Father Grey
knelt at the bedside, praying fervent
ly that the woman might revive sufi-
GENTLY to make a good Confession.
The slow moments passed, and still
there was no flicker of life or change
in the face on the pillow. An attend
ant drew near and forced something
between the womans lips. "She will
not last much longer was her YER
dict. The next instant footsteps
sounded in the corridor, and the chap
lain entered with Joe-whO had stop
ped by for Jimmy, as the way had led
past his home. Though the chaplain
had done his best to prepare him, a
low cry of anguish escaped the man
at the sight of his wife, and he sank
to his knees by the bed. Father Grey
laid a kindly hand on his shoulder.
"She asked for me-" he told him
gravely. IF she does not revive soon
l shall give her conditional Absolu-
ton"
Jimmy, awed, silent, had followed
his father, and because his father
knelt he did the same-there were
many cots and recumbent figures
about him, and he did not know that
the one nearest him demanded his
special attention; his eye now caught
by the candles and crucifix. Was this
church? he wondered. Once he had
been in church. Questioningly he
looked at Father Grey, standing in
surplice and stole at the foot of the
bed The priest glanced at the at
tendant, who still waited, her fingers
on the dying woman's pulse. Sink
| ing rapidly" she said softly.
Father Grey gazed wistfully at the
face where deaths shadow had al
ready fallen Must this poor creature
go into the great beyond with no
pleading prayer of her own to help
her; wrapped in this deep stupor,
must she stand before her God, Eter-
nal Love-with no act of love or sor-
row cleansing her polluted lips? And
yet, she had asked for him-she had
surely meant to do all that would be
required Well, it must be only con-
ditional Absolution
The ward had grown very still, for
a whisper of what was transpiring
had come to the inmates, and then On
the silence, Father Grey's whispered
voice sounded, clear and distinct: EGG
tie absolvo."
At the first words the woman's eyes
opened-wide, conscious-and fixed
themselves on the figure at the foo
of the bed, but as the formula ended
and the Sign of the Cross was given
sob, that yet might have been {
prayer, issued from her lips and he
soul had passed.
: Eternal rest grant unto her, {
Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon her." prayed Father Grey softly
: but Joe rose to his feet. Father" ht
said, look of deepest anguish in hi:
face, sis it not mockery to pray fol
her? There was her life, and nov
the end, without prayer.
my man." Father Grey returned, al
most sternly, ''you forget that the
mercy of God means for us an infinite
hope. We must never despair for our
selves-shall we dare to do it for an
other?"
He stopped abruptly, for he saw
that Jimmy, conscious now of his sur
roundings, was gazing at the long line
of cots, and the strange attendants
about them, with wide eyes of terror
while his lips we're quivering omln
ously.
Come the priest said quickly
Taking Jimmy's hand, and bidding
Joe follow, he brought them out Of
the ward into a small room opening
on the corridor, where he gave his
attention to comforting Jimmy, while
Joe paced to and fro restlessly, NUT
tering to himself. At length he
paused before the priest and child
Curses on the day when l first gave
it to her-the drink" he said, bitter
ly, that she might like it and cease
finding fault with me; and now, eVel
if God in His mercy forgave her a
the last, shame and disgrace must b.
the boys portion. Already the tain
of alcohol is in his blood, and his lif'
is ruined"
Father Grey realized that becaus
of grief and remorse Joe. was hardl,
responsible for his words.
Z Nonsense, my friend he said, dc
cisively, "as far as the child is cor
cerned, you need have no fear;
least if he receives proper care an
training, and know you are going t
exert yourself to give them to him /
the future. Let the great Mothe
Church guard and cherish him, let ne
life-giving sacraments become earl
and frequently his nourishment, an
the evil that is sin shall not touc
him. for Christ protects His own"
That evening it was with somethin
of challenge in his glance that Fathe
Grey looked up at the picture aDoE
his mantle.