The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-11-06


til it is ready" With his usual cheer
full grin he disappeared into the cabin.
The priest, glad of the prolonged
rest, drew his well worn breviary
from his pocket and tried to finish
his Office, but too much that was out
of the ordinary had happened that
day and his mind would not stay fixed
on the beautiful psalms. He was go
ing home-must write to the Bishop
but if he went home now what
would become of John. He had never
seen John so strangely moved before,
so eager-so determined. If only his
foot. A thought flashed through
his mind that made all the light die
out of his face; an overwhelming
thought, yet one to be reckoned with
Savory odors from Johns culinary
quarters drove him to action. He
read the letter from home once more,
then taking some pieces Of paper from
his pocket, he wrote two short letters.
This done, he rose and walked to the
tiny patch of garden on the other
side of his little Church where John
laboriously cultivated some camilias
and a few struggling rose bushes.
There slowly he let it engulf him
and slowly drove it back again, as
he nervously pulled to pieces several
of Johns cherished camillias whose
snowy beauty reminded him vaguely
of Margery, whom he would see in
her white habit The sun was going
down over the mountains, lighting up
their ragged sides to something like
splendor. No doubt, it was rising at
home on Margery and mother hurry
ing to an early Mass through the
quiet streets.
He had always said that China was
beautiful only in the setting sun
now it seemed suddenly sordid, bar
rem, ugly and unbearable Every
night when he could, he went to the
flower garden to watch the sunset
and his heart sent love messages to
the loved ones on whom it's first
morning rays were shining. There
was no beauty in it this night, the
ache in his heart excluded all
thoughts of peace or beauty, but he
watched it from habit. AS he waited
for it to disappear behind the hills he
| began to think what it would mean to
| leave China forever. Suppose his
Bishop ordered him to leave it and
never return. Then he knew he loved
it, that the souls of those who were so
dear to Christ were dear to him also.
A last ray of golden light glittered on
the nearest peak and with this came
the thought of Calvary and the price
that was paid there for these-his
people-his flock. They were his
people and he loved them: 1t was
perfectly right and he was satisfied.
He would never leave China.
When John come to find him, he
was kneeling before the altar in the
little church and his prayer was the
most unselfish in the world. 1t was
| just that the dear ones at home would
| forgive him for not coming and that
| they would understand. He looked
ten years older and more haggard,
but to the boys anxious questions he
denied any illness and proved it by
partaking generously of the good
supper"
That night under the stars he told
John very casually that there had
been ticket to America in his letter
which he probably would never use
any way so there was no reason why
John could not go to America to
study. Some money had been sent,
too, with which they could buy a
small outfit and he should start at
once. He also told him that there
was a doctor over there who used to
be a classmate of his who thought
nothing of Strengthening twisted feet
He would send letter to him and
John would be we'll cared for. In
deed, Johns case was simple. The
priest had often thought of trying to
make a set of braces for him, but had
always hoped chance would come to
have doctor do it. The chance had
come.
John said little but his heart was
overlooking. He guessed something
not know what Father Luke knew
that his time in the vineyard was
limited! that if he were ever to see
his home again, it must be soon and
with this chance gone it would prob
ably be never.
| A week later he accompanied the
boy to Kiao Chou Bay-where a
coasting steamer would carry him to
Hong Kong-and there he would sail
for San Francisco. Johns stOicism
failed him at last and the wistful
lonely look in the great almond eyes
turned the priest sick at heart. II
reminded him of the child who had
waited so patiently to know whether
he was to be drowned or turned over
to the foreigner who was gesticulat
ing SO frantically with his uncle
John felt no necessity for Oriental re
preston now. He kissed the priests
hand and murmured incoherent say
ings when parting time came, then he
set himself resolutely and marched
on board. Father Luke watched the
vessel disappear through tear-blinded
ewes. for he felt sure he would not
see John again and he knew he could
never find another like him. Besides
John was going where his heart
longed to go-to America and home
When he arrived in Yen some days
later he found a great raw-boned Chi
nese asleep across his doorway. He