The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-09-11
Continued from page g.
LOST TREASURE.


rectory; the priest insisted on it..
Then he went home to Susan.
Father Perry accompanied them
the next day to the asylum in the
city. He was one of the brightest
and happiest of mortals, and he did
his very best to keep up conversa-
ton; he confessed later, however,
that it was one of the hardest things
he had ever done in his life. A look
of intense relief shot across his
countenance when they drew up be-
fore the red brick building that was
their destination.
Here we are, Sister Agnes!" he
cried, in his hearty fashion. "This is
Sister Agnes-I mean Mother Agnes
MIR. and Mrs. Harrison"
The nuns blue eyes rested on SUI
sans face.
"The boys, Father Perry" she
asked now.
HYes, the little chaps" he answered
She led them along the hall and
opened door at the rear. A clamor
greeted them-instantly hushed when
the youngsters, glancing up, saw Wis
itors. Mother Agnes found chairs for
them around a desk in one corner OF
the room.
''We must pretend not to notice.
she said, with a whimsical smile
Children are never at their best
with strangers. We will show them
we are quite busy, and you will see
how soon they become used to u.s."
But Father Perry had no intention
of appearing busy. There were about
fifteen children in the room, and these
particular children were his particu
lar hobby, in spite of the fact that
he had been pastor of st. Anne's five
years and away from the city for that
length of time. He knew each by
name, and soon was the centre of the
entire group, listening, talking, laugh
ing, scolding:
Boys, be quiet! Boys, Mother will
put me out! Honestly! She won't al
low me to come in again if we make
such a racket. Be quiet now!"
At which they laughed uproariously
for he was their idol, and they knew
we'll they had free rein when he came
One by one he managed to place the
children before Susan. She did not
lose her listlessness, her Indifference
and he saw it with an odd sinking Of
the heart-just looked at them calmly
and made no sign.
They are very good children" sale
Mother Agnes at last, sorry for the
disappointment she saw on Father
Perry's mobile face.
John Harrison turned to Susan.
well, SUSAN" he asked. Then he
sat up quickly, and followed hel
glance. What is it?'
For Susan, trembling visibly, was
looking over the heads of the children
A little fellow had just entered the
room and was now coming as fast as
two crutches would permit toward
the priest.
"Oh, Father! Oh, no, Father Perry!'
he shouted. ''I'm coming, Father
Look out for me! I'm coming!"
"Yes, yes!" cried Father Perry in
turn. Make way for the little prince
boys-make room for Prince David!
The children laughed good-natured
ly and opened a line to Father Per
rvs knee. The crippled boy reached
him, painting with excitement, anC
was perched up as if on a throne
laughing a joyous laugh that set al
the others giggling. He was not q
pretty boy. His hair was bright
red and his skin drawn and trans
parent. But his eyes were surely the
biggest and brightest and bluest that
ever shone in mortal face.
john" said Susan, Il want thai
boy-that one!"
She was trembling. Had not DR.
Phelps said that her baby would have
been cripple? And here was one
crippled and motherless and will
eyes-oh, those blue, blue eyes tha
had laughed up at her from her vision
child in the garden!
81 want that boy" she said.
Whatever you please, Susan"
He turned to Father Perry, wht
stared at him without comprehension
An odd look crept across Mothei
Agnes face. Her eyes rested on the
crippled child with such meaning
that the priest understood at once
why sudden hush had fallen on the
entire group.
Prince David?" he said in an un
dertone. Tit isn't possible?"
Susan rose to her feet, her sweet
face earnest, her sweet mouth trem
bling.
Bring him here to me. Won't you
please let he see him little closer?'
she pleaded.
The boy Nesting against Father
Perry's shoulder, peeped out at hel
shyly, half smile on his parted lips
There are many others well
prettier than Prince David" SAIL
Father Perry, "but none better" b,
added loyalty. He will always be 1
care. Mrs. Harrison-at least for man,
years. care and an expense. H.
has been here since he was a tin,
baby thirteen months, wasn't 1t
Mother Agnes?'