The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-06-06

2O uGI dlIlll0SS, IIlOuSHJl6SS lie HdSl6u
before her. Her father! Who was
consoling him now? A hot blush of
shame covered her face, and with de-
termined air she moved about the
room, breathing fervent prayer for
strength to make reparatioR for the
past. The rich dark hair was brushed
back simply from the beautiful face
and knotted in graceful simplicity. A
modest black gown, her mothers
choice, was taken from it's place. She
kissed again and again the soft folds,
saying 20 Mama, for you, for you, is it
true?" But no tears came-the same
determined calm held it's firm sway
Hours had passed and no one had
been admitted to her room. She left
it now, somewhat like a spirit, so
noiseless were her movements. Gent
ly she opened the door of the death
chamber. All had been fittingly and
beautifully arranged. Blessed candles
burned and flowers emitted their deli
cate perfumes. A large crucifiX, her
mothers dearest treasure, stood at her
head. On it Regina's eyes seemed to
linger and find consolation. Angela,
loyal Angela, was placing a smaller
one in the cold fingers, and Ralph,
strong even to heroism in his loving
sympathy, knelt beside Lord Lam
caster, embracing him in tenderest So
licitude The full pathos of this scene
was keenly felt by the newly awaken
ed soul of Regina. With a look of
tender gratitude at Angela, who stood
transfxed at her changed appearance,
she approached her father, tenderly
kissed and caressed him. Then with
a look of heartfelt anguish she met the
eyes of Ralph, who could only wonder
at his angel-like sister in her silent
grief. She spoke no word, but moved
to the side of her beloved and gentle
mother. Encircling her dear head
with her arms, she pressed her face
to the cold brow, earnestly begging
pardon and whispering sweet promises
of fidelity. Long they allowed her to
remain, till at last the tender voice
of her brother said: Come" and
gently raising her he whispered:
|
i She met his clear, sympathetic gaze
=. and felt he understood.
We have drawn a veil over
the painful scenes that followed, and
are again in Regina's room. Angela,
who has not left her even for an hour,
| is sitting beside her friend and they
| have only lately returned from the
/ funeral. With a rather nervous air
Angela is saying: Regina, dear
! friend, it seems heartless to tell you
now, but my word is given and | must
| keep it. Tomorrow is the feast of
| the Publication, and l return to fulfill
a promise made to the Sacred Heart
that night we all bid adieu to our
Alma Mater; Yours in life, in death,
in Eternity" Regina only stared at
| her with frightened eyes and blanched
cheeks. The sight nearly overcame
Angela. Gently she touched the brow
Of her beloved friend with her lips and
was gone. Scarcely had Regina taken
in the full meaning of her friends
words and realized her own loss, when
a servant hurriedly knocking called to
her that Lord Lancaster was ill and
was calling for her. No thought of
self influenced her now. Her loving
father had borne up manfully till all
was over, but on returning to the
home in which he had so long lived in
GOdfearing happiness and well doing,
with her whom he believed to be the
prompter Of his every good work, and
| the friend of those particularly who
were in distress, the powers of his al
ready waning vitality met in his great
loss and deSolation an overpOWering
enemy, to whom he was not 10th to
succumb. Calling for the good priest
who for years had been his strong
friend and adviser, he charged him
with the care of his beloved children,
and ere another week had passed, the
same heartrending scenes had once
more been enacted at the Manor
House. But one sweet gentle figure
had been missed by all: The ever
thoughtful, helpful Angela was no
where to be seen, and the tears which
would come in spite of the efforts to
suppress them proved the cost of the
sacrifice made by her own immediate
| family.
But if Angela was absent, there was
one who, with newborn strength, was
following in her footsteps. The sweet
condescension and patient submission
which seemed to reveal itself in the
depths of Regina's beautiful dark eyes
as they appealed with mute entreaty
for forgiveness, and the charm of her
quiet submissive manner, won for her
a tender sympathy almost akin to ven
Grafton, especially from the penetrat-
ing and generous soul of Ralph who,
like most great souls only need to be
tried to bring out their inherent value;
and in their great sorrow these two
| souls daily grew stronger, the brother
| prayerfully, quietly and with jealous
tact leading his dear sister to the
same altar Of sacrifice he had vowed
himself to serve.
3
The beautiful, harmonious strains of
the Magnificent have just ceased; laden
is the air with the scent of flowers,
and happy voices greet the ear, as
Ralph stands with heart overlooking
| with gratitude and hope, waiting for
the dear sister he loved so well. 90!
could Mother and Father see her now,'
/ he thought as he gaZed on the heauti-