Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-24

say that unSelllSH devotion Nllu SutFl-
fee in the manner Of love shall find
harsh judgment in the eyes of him who
taught Us love IS the greatest OF all
the virtues, the very soul Of this life.
The sisters words were like prayer
and benediction and Marie went
away feeling greatly comforted. She
hurried through the districts that led
to her mothers shop and, climbing
the marrow stairway that led to her
own little room, fell on her knees be-
fore the Madonna, praying earnestly
for forgiveness and guidance.
That night as she slept the room
seemed to be slowly filled with soft
radiance and the Madonna, coming
down from the wall. stood ri her side
with hands outstroiched above her
while she repeated softly:
There Is no death, the flowers say;
In faith we hide our souls away,
While tcmpests desolate the earth.
And patient wait the promised birth.
Tho Southwind chants, there is no death,
| come and winter is Il breath,
Against HIS falling walls | set
The snowdrcp and the violet.
Glad prophets Of tho life to be!
A kindred spark abides IN thee,
/ That u. Tic wind no tether knows,
And yet is comradc TO the rose
Tho earth thy mother Is. her breast
Thy comfort. shield and tinrl rest,
There sheltered from the storms thoull
blde
The coming of thy Eastortide.
II was morning when Marie awoke
and the air was filed with the chimes
Of many bells. The dream was Still
vivid in her mind and, inyoluntarily
she glanced ut The wall where the pic
ture Of the Madonna hung. 1t was in
its place, but she could not escape the
thought that the scene which was so
/ vivid in her mind had really been en-
acted. Tine hour for morning serv-
ice was approaching and She felt a
+ sudden desire to sit once more with
the congregation in the holy silence,
TO join in the. responses, and to hear
the music Of the familiar songs. For
months She had not entered the church
doors but her talk with Sister Cecilia
ana the vision OF the Madonna had
: decided her to try once more the con-
ISOLATION Of religion.
When Marie came out upon the
street that bright Easter morning she
found Sister Cecilia already at the
door.
Il came for you,' said the sister,
simply.
81 am ready Sister Cecilia replied
Marie with equal simplicity. II had
such beautiful dream last night, aud
| think yes, know | had already de-
cidetl"
"fo 90 to church?'
Eyes"
"It must have boon a good dream
indeed
at was Il message from the Madon-
M. She told me that which made me
understand
They were walking rapidly toward
the church. AS they were about to turn
corner Of the street that led up to
the edilicc Il hearty voice cried out
Marie. Why do you run away from
me?' and turning they saw Pierre hur
rying to ovortnke them.
pierre! picrrc!' murmured the
girl, pale and trembling.
"picrre, that was, Jim Bradford thai
Is. Don't be frightened at the change
little sweetheart. A sonbrero, Il cor
duroy jacket and the privilege OF
knocking d man down without the feal
Of having 10 apologize for sailing I'M
: der false colors suits me better thai
: playing the role of an artist. But thu
praise was worth the trouble a thou
: sand times over. Give me your hands
F. little girl, and say that you forgive
me-"
Marie would have thrown hersel
into the arms of her lover but Siste
: Cecilia intcrposed. "Tell me- she said
: "beforc you lca' this poor child int
I deeper trouble how can you be 81
! bold and hcartless. You acknowlodg
to having won her affections under
9 false name, you left her for two week
. to the scorn of her associates, wecpln
d her heart out for love of you, anu the
y come back expecting her to bellcv
u you honest
. IAN in time, good sister. You see