The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-06-03
CONTINUED from page s.
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

How was Mrs. BroWnell to answer
that centuries old question, Master,
what shall do to be saved?"
A big elm tree spread its branches
just outside the windows of Mrs.
Dunn's bed room, and the sunshine
streaming through the foliage fell in
notified splotches on the floor. Her
bed was near window, and beside
it big bunch of lilies of the valley,
hardly more white than the face of the
patient. Mrs. Brownell was shocked
at the lack of luster in her eyes and
the absence of all interest in her
countenance Had Mrs. Brownell
known it, hers was the expression that
physicians dread, because it means
the absence of the doctors greatest
ally, the desire to recover.
mo one can tell these times what
day may bring FORTH Mrs. Brownell
began, seating herself in chair near
the bed. Il was saying to my daugh-
ter the other day, There was Mrs.
Dunn, who looked SO well and spry
out there taking care of the flowers,
and now she's SO sick. Truly, in the
midst of life we are in death"
Mrs. Dunn turned her passive gaze
on her visitor.
Mrs. Brownell talked on, telling the
gossip and small news of the village,
dwelling particularly upon every un-
pleasant or disastrous occurrence not
from any actual intention to be de-
pressing, but because her mind was
full of the tragedy before her. If
Mrs. Dunn listened or followed the
line of conversation, she gave no init.
nation of it.
Cant l read to your" Mrs. Brow
nell concluded. Something from the
Bible?"
I'D like to have you," Mrs. Dunn
spoke for the first time during the
visit. my Bible is on the table,
Please read where the mark is"
Mrs. Brownell picked up the book
She held it little gingerly. 1t was
probably the Catholic Bible, she
thought, "Douay Version" was mark.
ed on the cover. She had always sup.
posed that Catholics we're forbidden
to read the Bible, or at least dis
couraged from reading it, and that
when they did it was a Bible quite
their oWn-doubtless a strange and
unhoiy book. But one must not draw
too close distinctions when it was a
matter of gratifying the wish of q
gravely i'll woman. She opened it at
the mark, and read that wonderful
passage from the Apocalypse:
And | saw new heaven and q
new earth. For the first heaven and
the first earth was gone. and the sea
is now no more. And [, John, saw
the Holy City, the new Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God
prepared as bride adorned for heI
husband.
And l heard great voice from
the throne saying: Behold, the taber
nacle of God with men, and He will
dwell with them. And they shall be
his people; and God himself with
them shall be their God.
land God shall wipe away al
tears from their eyes; and death shall
be no more, nor mourning, nor cry
ing, nor sorrow shall be any more, fol
the former things are passed away.
And he that sat on the throne
said: Behold, make all things new
And he said to me: Write, for these
words are most faithful and true.
And he said to me: 1t is done
am Alpha and Omega; the begin
ming and end. To him that thirsteth
will give of the fountain of the
water of life freely.
He that shall overcome shall pos.
sess these things, and l will be his
God; and he shall be my SON.
Mrs. Brownell, will you tell me
the TRUTH" Mrs. Dunn raised her
head little from the pillow. Am
going to die?'
= 1--WE all hope not
But what does the doctor think?''.
He thinks you will not get well"
Mrs: BroWnell's sense of truth-telling
would not sanction even a prevari-
cation.
Nov, do let me do something!"
Mrs. Brownell hurried on, anxious to
cover the disquieting news she had
told. Let me send for DR.. Miller,
our minister"
What can he do?" The tone was
still listless.
He can pray for you and read
the Bible.'
Il can pray for myself and you can
read the Bible to me. Is that all?''
"Ide is college man. He can ex-
plain SO much better than l."
But have been well educated, too.
What authority has he to lead me
heavenward?
He is good man."
But aren't you a good woman?'
Mrs. Brownell stood near the head
of the bed, still holding the partly
opened Bible. From out of the pages
fluttered a card, yeIlowed by age. II
bore the picture of young man
edged with mourning band, an In
MemOriam" card. Mrs. Dunn's eyes
fastened on the card.
There was moments silence, one
of those moments into which an in
finity is pressed. Even Mrs. Brownell
felt this was no time for comment.
I've been foolish old woman, :
Mrs. Dunn began. 4 thought could
n Stand aInnn r,ifl,0tnk 4b., fsf...~nt ....44.