The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-09-02

L
Father Librarian appeared. 1t was
seldom he was absent from his place
in choir. bShould not he-Brother
Felix-bring him cordial? Dom
Paschal only reiterated his entreaty
that there might be no delay in call
ing the abbot. 1t was "a truly urgent
matter M sff
/ Brother Felix obediently withdrew
only to return at the end of some min
utes to say the abbot was already
vested for Mass, and it had been i'm
possible to get word with him. Dom
Pascha1 united the sacrifice of his life
with the Great Sacrifice then being Of
fered, praying God of5f4is mercy that,
after. such a solemn Warningsit might
not be permitted for him ta depart
hence without the Last Sacraments.
On fastening to his side, tie Father
Abbot found him in a slight fever his
eyes bright, his limbs trembling. Yet
there was only the portent of the white
rose which Dom Paschal produced to
give any weight to his request to re-
ceive the Holy Amounting.
The abbot regarded the rose. with
puzzled air and shrewdly witha1 nor
did he deny the monks earnest desire.
''And pray let the brethren be as
sembled," besought the sick man in
tones growing weaker, $50 that if /
have offended any in word or deed /
may crave their forgiveness and die in
charity with all"
To this the abbot made haste to com
ply.
A bell was solemnly tolled, and it
was given to the brethren to know that
it was the will of the abbot that all
should assemble without lack of time
in Dom Paschal,s cell, from the most
ancient father in the house to the
youngest novice.
l. Of these last was Brother Henry,
the gayest and least easily impressed
of all, now subdued aud distressed to
the point of tears. He had noticed
that Dom Paschal was neither at Of
flee nor Mass, and listened with chill
foreboding to the news which had
quickly gone the round of the monas-
terry that the Father Librarian was
thought to be at his last extremity.
The boys heart cried out so loudly in
its anguish of fear that it seemed all
must hear
Il humbly beg pardon for all the bad
example and disedifcation :" the
weak voice was beginning when Broth
er Henry, thrusting his companions
aside, threw himself on his knees by
the bed
Father, / placed the rose in your
STALL"
What are you saying, little broth
er? Where would you find a rose
when there was neer one to be had
for Our Lady's Feast
God forgive me. Twas an artificial
one."
! Brother Henry was to be sent away.
This last prank of his, which had bid
den fair to end fatally, had decided
his fate. 1t was admitted by the faith
ers of the monastery in grave council
that, beloved as he was for his sim
plicity, good nature and generous en-.
: thusiasm, he waB entirely incorrigible
All that could be said on his behalf
had been pleaded-the dangers and
pitfalls that must encompass one of
his disposition in the world, his en-
dearing qualities, the miraculous eff.
fects of divine grace. On the other
hand, there was the contagion to be
feared for the rest of the flock.
AS for Brother Henry himself, he
pleaded nothing, recognizing he had
behaved in a manner beyond hope of
pardon. He simply placed his cause
in the hands of his dear Mother and
Lady A strange content stilled the
rising sobs that had threatened to
choke him, as, Compline ended, he
made his way to the little Lady Chapel
in the darkened church.
When the abbot entered his stall an
hour later, he saw the boy kneeling
there, his auburn head buried in his
hands. 1t was true he ought to have
been in bed, but the good abbot had
not the heart to begrudge him these
few extra minutes-and this his last
night, too-at the Divine Mother s
knees. She was" perhaps, teaching
him lessons, and giving him good
\ counsel on which all his future might
depend. While thinking these thoughts,
the abbot was distressed at experience
ing a sudden revulsion of feeling.
They were truly right to separate this
black sheep from the rest of the novi-
tiate. His momentary impulse to give
him another opportunity to retrieve
his character was stifed. What prank
was the lad up to now? He had sure
ly dared to light all the candles on
Our Lady's altar as when a solemn
Mass was being celebrated there. All
around him was the soft radiance light
ing up the little chapel which shone
like a jewel in dark setting 1t was
strange he had not noticed it till this
moment, all his attention having been
concentrated on the fact of the boys
presence there The abbot rose from
his place, went forward a few PAGES,
and then drew back with noiseless
tread. Without having spoken a word,
or made a sign, he knelt down again
and fell to his prayers.
Next morning he sent for Brother
Henry, who appeared before him
abashed and hanging his head, expect
ing instant dismissal
s'What uarp Won doing last NIGHT in