The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-07-01
A MEMBER OF HEARTS
written for The Catholic Bulletin BY
Marie r. Huehes.) .'5

4. -
when l get big I'm going to be a
banker like Daddy and I'll have just
loads of money too and the biggest
house and automobiles and, and
everything Il
I'm not going to be any old banker,
I'm going to be nice doctor, like
Doctor Talford. Ille have funny little
pointed whiskers and I'll just shut my
mouth up tight and look a hole
| through everybody, and walk along
like l didn't have any bend in my
knees" here Phil gave a very good
imitation of Doctor Talford's stately
tread.
when I'm big I'm going to have
| just piles of dolls" announced little
| Edna -
Mrs. Carral smiled rfondly on the
bright faces and them turned to a
silent little lad standing at the win
dow. VI
"And what is my biggest boy going
to do when he grows up? VIII he leave
mother, too, and go off to- be banker
like Frankap&
The boy turned round and came
close to his mother. He was very un-
like the Others with his dreamy grey
eyes and sort brown hair.
mo, mother, dear, TIL never leave
you. Banks don't suit me at all-and
l guess couldn't even be doctor like
our Doctor Talford He mends people
when they get hurt I'd love to dc
that but l always cry when it hurts
them. Doctor Talford says you must
bring yourself to look at these things
| professionally, whatever that means
But oh! know now, mother, I'll be a
member of hearts"
How funny" laughed Edna,
mot much in it, remarked Frank
with superior wisdom.
Il call it pretty SOFT" announced
Phil sneeringly.
But Mrs. -Carral only drew Lacey
into her arms and rested her cheek on
/ his soft hair.
That's what you are, darling, and
have been from the start, "a mender
of hearts. But tell me, son, how will
you do it?'
| Il don't just know, mother, I'll think
it over. / can take my violin and play
maybe. Would that do?"
Yes, yes, dear, and play a little
now, for mother"
Lacey took his violin and began tc
play softly-with the touch of an
artist And as he played on his beau
tiful eyes grew wistfully tender and
his face shone with a strange bright
ness.
And then he sang-how sweetly,
For Lacey had a wonderful voice. On
and on he played, fofgetful of all
around, till a book slipping from Mrs
CarraPs fingers brought him back
with a jolt.
She rose and with cheeks aflame
and eyes bright, took. his hands in
hers.
/ why, Lacey, my precious lad, you
are an artist. That was wonderful
dear, wonderful. why, my boy, you
are only twelve and yet you play better
than anyone ever heard. We must
give. you every chance
Lacey's eyes .shone with JOY. Twill
you, mother-oh! how / love to play
It's right here in my heart and my
violin tells it. What did it tell you
just now, NANNY dear?" i,
Anxiously he waited for her answer
why, Lacey, believe-it seems to
Newell now | thought-how much
my boy loves me-
That's it--that's just it. ! wanted
it to say how much love you,' shyly
Mrs Carral turned thoughtfully away
and as she went down stairs she whis
pered to herself:
Il wonder If it's very wrong of me
to love him best.
At dinner that evening, Frank
trimming over with mischief, said
Say, daddy. Lacey is going to be a
member of hearts. Isn't that a good
oae2 Ask him how it's DONE daddy