The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-02-20
short. .fime there would be no differ


ance. "'~"-a7s' '''sa-' s-'7 : -
.MHerf3he spoke of hts religion he
found no occasion for argument or
dispute. Mary listened attentively,
sometimes eagerly, and seemed as
conyersant with the subject as he was.
He often thought that she was go
] ing to surprise him by telling him she
was already a Catholic, but their we'd
ding day passed and his hope was
unrealized.
Nor did she avail herself of the
many opportunities that presented
themselves during the first five years
of her married life. Her home fife
was peaceful and happy, but she her
self was often restless and discomfort
ed. She tried to conceal it from her
husband, but his loving eyes saw more
than She thought.
SO it was that: when a mission
was given at St. Johns in the Septem-
her of the fifth year after they were
married he. urged her more than was
his wont to attend the exercises. She
put him off from day to day, and when
the night Of the closing service came
was apparently still Indifferent.
: He found it hard to leave her alone
/ that evening, lingering as long as he.
could, hoping to the last moment that
she would change her mind. She felt
the silent pleading in his parting kiss,
and when he was gone sank down
FLOR a moment into the nearest chair
in an abandon of bitter thought.
All about her We're the evidences
of his care for her comfort, Injuries
! even that he delighted in giving her.
What were all these to a troubled
spirit?
! Across the gloomy silence stole
the sound of bell, ringing out, it's
tuneful summons from the tower of
st. Johns. Mary arose hastily and
went to the piano. Her fingers ran
Irapidly over the keys in an ac-
compartment, and she tried to sing.
1t was no use: The words ended in
"a sob. Rising again, she paced up and
down the room. Suddenly the signs
Eof struggle vanished from her face,
Ereplaced by the calm of decision.
Hastily donning her wraps, she hur-
ried to the church,
She entered and sank breathless
into the last pew, just as her husband
began to sing the "Veni Creator"
She listened with mingled feelings Of
pride and pleasure to his rich bari
tone, and the words Of the hymn had
a new meaning for her.
/ what doth it profit q man il he
gain the whole world and lose his
soul ?''
Mary started. She leaned forward
and drank in eagerly the words of
the priest. She forgot the crowds
Of people about her, forgot all things
save the burning message straight
from the lips of the speaker to her
own heart. It. was no fiowery fight
/ OF eloTuence, but an earnest forceful
appeal from true soldier of Christ.
Behind his words lay the strength of
q life lived in the manner he present
ed to his hearers as the only one
worth while.
Mary Harrington's doubts and fears
fell away from her, and her restless
ness and agitation were. stilled to a
, firm and holy purpose.
AS Joseph came down the stairs
from the choir loft, still thrilled with
the, beauty! Of the services just CON
Guided, his eyes fell on an upturned
face in the outsurging crowd below
the beautiful, eager. face of his wife.
With a little cry Of surprise he hur.
ried to her.
MARY, you here--alone?"
Take me to him, Joseph, now, this
very night. / must speak to him."
Take you to whom, dear-to-to-''
he began, doubtingly. ,
ITO that priest who preached. 1t
is not to late. Don't you think we can
see him tonight?"
Wondering, but rejoicing, he led
the way to the sacristy. They found
that Father Casgrain had gone to the
rectory, so they followed, and in a
few moments he. joined them in the
reception-room.
Mary found his presence as inspir-
ing as his words had been, and the
silence of years was broken.
She told him that she had known
: the Catholic Church to be the true
one since she was girl at school,
but had not had the strength to put
her belief into practice.
Seeing the look of surprise on her
husbands face, and the very evident
interest of the priest, she told at once
the story Of what had SO long been
her hearts secret.
IT shall have to go back many
years to make clear to, you both the
influence and circumstances that have
shaped my life. '-.
you have often heard me speak,
Joseph, of the time our home, up to
} that so happy, was broken up by my
fathers disappearance. He had gone
, to California, the gold fever being
then at its height. He had great
hopes of increasing his fortune.
For a time we heard from him
regularly, then suddenly his letters
ceased. All mothers efforts to learn
of his Whereabouts were fruitIess.
fShe was heartbroken. l was only
twelve, but remember it all as if it
were but yesterday.
THAT my sister Angela and myself
Ir1atr ~ T.