The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-04-29

gone a month. But various annoying
delays occurred, and on cold blustery
night, three weeks before Christmas,
he found himself in Denver still I'M
certain as to the date of his return. 1t
was too bad, he thought gloomily for
the hundredth time, as he sought to
dispel his increasing loneliness by
watching the gay crowds on the
streets. He drifted idly along, think
ing of Frances and wondering just
what he would select for her Christ
mas present Il believe I'll buy some
thing here" he thought with a sudden
happy inspiration. ut will help to
pass the time. / die, intend to wait
till l got home, but"
A jewelers. window took his eye
and he stopper. In the midst of the
brilliant array of jewels there was a
handful of loose pearls in velvet bas-
ket, against the dusky background of
which they glowed with their own pc
culiar soft and alluring lustre. Toms
eyes frightened.
"Jove! There's the ideal" he ex-
claimed. "a pearl for Frances! ]
wonder did not think of that before"
For in common with all the intimate
friends of the family he had often
been called upon to admire her little
hoard of pearls. In a moment sales
mans hand had withdrawn the basket
from the window, and the would-be
seeking to measure with his eye the
size he wished to select. AS he held
up first one lustrous globe and then
another, and listened to the eager
salesman as he exploited their perfec-
tions, lurking figure outside the win
dow watched the performance with
greedy eyes and devouring curiosity.
The purchase made, Tom returned
to the gay street feeling a little less
lonely, for the pearl, reposing chaste-
ly in handsome case in his coat
pocket, brought Frances strangely
near to him. "A, warm feeling stole
around his heart as he allowed himself
to dwell on the incidents Of the pres
entation. And thus happily meditat-
ing he made his way toward his hotel,
unconscious of a tall figure with
muffled face following furtiyely in his
rear. As he reached dark alley in
the shadow of a large building, he
suddenly became aware of labored
breathing just behind, but before he
could turn, with nameless fear in his
heart, he was felled to the ground by
heavy blow. AS his assailant stopped
over the PROSTATE body, seeking the
jewel which he had seen his victim
purchase, a big car whisked quickly
out of the alley and struck him with
a violence which threw his body over
against the curb. Victim and assail-
ant both woke in a hospital some
hours later.
Tom was not seriously injured,
though he had broken leg and bat
tered head. The blow from his as
sailant had thrown him to the side and
thus out Of the way of the car. The
would-be robber, however, had re-
ceived a mortal injury and was suf-
fering intensely. When he awoke in
Tie HOS plLdl Lu0 uFSb ldGe uH PAN was |
that of a Sister, who was assisting |
the doctor. to arrange his bandages. |
He looked at her. wistful1y and then |
turned his eyes away with a groan.
I'm not fit to look at such as she" he |
thought remorsefully, before Oblivion |
closed over him again. The next time |
he awoke there was a priest at his |
bedside. He still felt dazed, but he
struggled back to Consciousness.
Father" he said weakly.
Yes" said the priest, with an en-
couraging hand on his. "You are
better. Don't you think you could tell
me your name?"
A wan smile lit up the sufferers
face for moment. "Ah, my name
doesn't matter, Father he said
Pm nobody-just a Wanderer just
d poor unfortunate wanderer no
home mo friends Oh! al spasm iof
pain contracted his pinched features
enid ca eSUd no, penuF1uO01 II ~