The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-03-06
CONTINUED from page s.
THE CLAIM OF THE REcToRY.

"The Bishop, ma'am? Yes, rna'am,
he's in. Come right this way, ladies!"
The two followed him into a we'll
lighted Colonial hall.
IF you sit in this here room" the
man said, ushering them into small
apartment, ''Ill go see when His Lord
ship can come down.
Tell him the Misses Minters, of
Shelbyville, desire to see him." Gym
thia crisply announced.
The white head of the negro bobbed
serenely.
Makes no difference bout the
name, ma'am. Bishop Lawson sees
everybody who needs him"
HEM" responded Cynthia.
THANK you!" said her sister.
When the man had left the room,
Priscilla gazed curiously around.
isn't it pleasant, Cynthia?"
1t was a southeast room, softly
tinted in brown. Three rag rugs in
the tan shades lay on the shining
floor, and the furniture consisted OF a
large library table, a few comfortable
chairs, and small desk. Against the
wall hung Hoffman's Head of Christ
and an especially fine copy of the
Madonna of the Chair. An ivory cru.
cifix between two candlesticks rested
on the desk, and on the table lay
several magazines.
There isn't any dust, anyway
grudgingly responded Cynthia.
Her sister, despite herself, laughed
aloud, and at that moment the Bishop
entered the room. Involuntarily, the
two women arose. Bishop Lawson
was an old man. Seventy-five years,
however, had hardly dimmed the bril-.
liancy of the dark eyes, or bent the
upright, wiry figure of the man. Be.
low the remarkable thickness of the
white hair, the smooth face still
glowed with health and vigor.
"Oh!" murmured Priscilla, her
mirth suppressed.
Cynthia bowed stiffly.
"Be seated, ladies!" The Bishop
spoke with delightful southern &C.
cent.
For the first time in many years
Miss Winters could not express her
self. Priscilla waited moment and
then-plunged.
81 didn't know you were so old
she began; and then, Mortified, looked
| frantically toward her sister.
Bishop Lawson laughed heartily.
That's good!" he replied. Still,
really think you mean something
more" he went on encouragingly.
you act young!" desperately swan
Priscilla.
But Cynthia had recovered.
| ut is not a question of age that We
have come to discuss, Priscilla" She
turned to the Bishop; Il asked tt
| meet You on business, Sir-Bishop."
| A twinkle appeared in the Bishops
kindly eyes.
Cant one combine business ant
pleasure?"
1T depends upon the parties" re
piled Cynthia.
Priscilla drew sharp breath. l
was not nice of Cynthia to be SO short
Il agree with you" said Bishol
Lawson, still smiling. what can
! do to accommodate your
I'VE are the Misses Winters, o
| Shelbyville.
His Lordship's white brows CAM
together.
Winters? Your father
WAS the late Reverend John Min
tiers, Of the same town"
And one of my, best friends"
The, older sister fell back agains
the high back of the chair in which
she was seated. The other leane'
forward, her hands folded tight.
across her heaving breast.
Il knew, Cynthia, that father spok
Of q priest friend OF his
The right hand of the Bishop
shaded his eyes.
| John Winters was good frien'
and a good man, God rest his soul!
There was slight break in the sof
voice. Il am very glad to meet hi
daughters"
L IIlSCllId Was CIJluS uONs
| Cynthia"
eve are-are glad to know you,
the other replied.
Il think" said the Bishop. becom
ing reminiscent, that your father am
| understood each other as thorough,
as two men can ever understand eacl
other. We first met at college, AM
from that day we were almost a.
brothers. 1t is unnecessary to tell 20,
what your father was: but | can sa.
that, were l to choose companion
for any ward Of mine, | should selec
a young man with character as sim
liar as possible to his. Our creed
were different, but if in Gods grea
mercy l reach heaven, expect t
meet again this good friend of mine
John Winters served his God we'll"
| Cynthia's eyes were moist.
I'VE never saw each other again
after graduation" continued tn
Bishop. He entered the Episcopa
seminary, and l began my studies TO
the priesthood. Every month, how
ever, until his death had lette
from him. There was no one tina
knew more of your fathers hopes ant