The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-04-10

pented bitterly, but loved you SO
| could not give you up.
Mrs. Archer was sobbing, but
Elaine sat with bright, dry eyes.
Are my parents still living" she
asked in a hollow voice.
II don't know. They sold their old
Virginia home soon after their return
from abroad. But for many years I
have had no news of Them
And what will you do?"
81 have decided to see Father Cur
ran and ask him to make inquiries"
i. Were my parents members of the
Catholic Church,"
mo" Mrs. Archer answered. your
father was not a member OF any
church, and your mother, i believe,
was an Episcopalian.' Il
1T seems strange then . said
Elaine, that you reared me a Cath
olic."', II
A deep flush rose to Mrs. 'Archer'si
face. II was once a CATHOLIC, and
when you were very i'll | had you bap-
TIED 1t was perhaps unwise, for Il
know that your parents would have.
objected if they had known. But you
don't regret it. do you, ,Elaine?''
Regret it ?" Elaines voice had
lost it's cold constraint. She rose and
went to where Mrs. Archer sat still
weeping. She kne1t beside her and
took one trembling hand in both her
own.
mo, indeed, and on my knees /
thank you. You have done wrong, but
you erred through love, and you have
been to me the best of mothers. You
have bestowed upon me a priceless
heritage, and my earnest prayer is
that God may restore to you peace Of
conscience"
Heaven will bless. you, my child;
Now you know the reason of my strug7
gle to. give you the best. educational
advantages. Your parents, with all
their wealth, could not have done Bet
ter. You know, too, why did not
wish your affections to become en-
gagged. 1t was not because I'objected
to Gerald Neville; for 4 esteem him
highly. It was for your own good.
wanted to give you back heart-whole
to your parents, if ever found them, 2
II fear you have spoken too late, Z
said Elaine, the blush of maidenly
modesty dyeing her face as she rose
to her feet. Gerald is SO dear to me
that his image seems stamped upon
my heart"
1t was nearly year later, and 'in
constant April, with its smiles and
tears" was ushering in another Eas
ter. In pleasant city in the North
Brier Hill, three strangers, gentle
man, his wife and daughter, were
I engaged in sightseeing. Among the
4 places of interest they visited the
art exhibition. Passing from one pic
ture to another. they admired anc
A criticized, until they came to d paint
ing, before which all stood in breath
/ less silence. It was called can Eastel
Lily" The dark background gradu
ally paled, as it extended upward
until light resembling the glory o
approaching sunrise frightened tht
canvas. Against it, clearly outlined
stood a iibea1fti full gfrl SWC fassic1 folds
of snowy white fell from the graceful
! shoulders, and cluster of Eastei
lilies nestled in the embrace of on
arm The fair face was slightly lifted
Golden hair waved back from broad
low brow, and the eyes, blue as tn
Ifringed gentian, were filled with eS
pectancy.
beautiful, isn't it, mammal" sail
the young girl, at last breaking tn
silence.
''Why, Edith" said the lady, sit i
. wonderfully like you. The SAM
shaped face, the same eyes, hair of TIL
same color. But the expression i
different. This face is almost angelo
yet full of nobility and dignity.
, She turned to her husband. SIS it no
marvellous, Herbert?"
at is very beautiful" he answered
I'VE must find out the artists name
then we must find him, if it is posi-
Bile. This picture shall be mine i
money can purchase it," said the lady
They found the artists studio in ;
large, gloomy building, and over thu
.. door was the name Gerald Neville.
t Geralds face pafed as he read OF
, 1.-THE card presented by the gentleman
E"Herbert Clifton Norwood -
Mrs. Norwood and my daughter
& Mr.. Neville" he said pleasantly. sW,
have seen your painting, AN caste
Lilly, and wish to know i 1t is 70
, sale?"
II It seemed to Gerald, as he looked
: from one eager face to the other, tina
: all he held dear in life was fecedin,
, from him. What a labor q love ha'
) been the painting of An Easter Lily,
: but then hope was high in his heart
} now, instinctively he knew The cup o
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