The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-08-18

think of it. When I realized what |
had done, I detested myself, and the
thought that had wronged you made
me feel as if detested you, too. Not
till last night, when the news of your
loss came, was able to think of you
as you are yourself Then I found
that you were all the world to me-"
."Oh; Margaret! But-your father
and mother?"
"Only yesterday they seolded me-"
she flashed, "as l had never been
scolded before. Mother was in such
a rage, / almost
Il can not let you sacrifice your
SELF he groaned. Don't think of me-
Thank God, I can work. lack neither
muscle nor brain. l know some one
who will give me a berth in Aus
tralia."
Where is the sacrificed" she cried.
Il have nothing but myself to offer
you, and in return l shall get you
1t is a fair exchange, isn't it,"
For answer, he gathered her up in
big, comprehensive hu@
An important missive awaited
Shiela at home. 1t informed her that,
as her twenty-third birthday fell on
the morrow, her trustees were resign
ing their positions. 'Henceforth, - the
writer concluded, 'you will be abso-
lutte mistress of the $4,000 left you
| by your father. i advise you to do
what his will prevented us from do
| ing-reinvest it; 9150 is poor interest
! for such sum. But do nothing with
out some prudent friends guidance.
/ Our heroine soon felt need of a
friend. She was blamed for Mar
garet's perseverance, and her attain
ment to complete independence was
regarded SO much as a crime that her
aunt omitted to make her a birthday
present. Shiela sought the Dacre's
family physician, white-haired old
gentleman, whose grim aspect and
manner made him somewhat feared
/ by all but little children and young
girls. AS she was announced John
Keith passed out.
"A friend of yours, I believe!"
i groWled DIR. Marsden. Make him
leave that slum. He knows it kill
ing him, but he is determined to let
some idiot of girl send him to his
grave I am retiring from work, and
have offered him my practice. Even
II he had to borrow the G5,000,I ask
for it, it would be a bargain Amonth
Il ia cd To
now he says he can not get the wife
he wanted. I am sorry. He has
helped me a great deal lately, and my
patients like him. The girl he wanted
didn't know her luck
Shiela's eyes closed. She had told
her aunt that in marriage love should
be rated above all things else. Yet
how had she treated John Keith? She
had spurned his love because it could
not give her what her baby-faced
Margaret had despised. She had con-
sidered herself very intellectual and
very superior person, but a chit not
long home from school had taught her
ia lesson. Margaret had stood by
Ralph Stanton, sought her luck in his
love when that love was all he had to
4 give her.
"Will you sell your practice to me?"
spluttered' the girl.
Are you-the girl?" smiled the old
doctor.
n
II cannot take it, Shiela.'' Il,
No, one else shall have it."
/ 1T must be as loan them
mo; it shall be reinvestment. I
was advised to seek a higher rate of
interest for my capital"
What interest do you ask?'
"Only your love, and the JOY of MAX
ing you as happy as | can"
/ John was dumb, but he drew her to
himself, and she knew that her point
was gained.
He then amazed her with the news
that, before proposing to her, he could
have purchased the practice for him
Eself. A distant relative had left him
4 100000.
why did you not tell me?" she
Istammered.
Then she blushed at her own ques-
ton. 1t stung her now to think that
the money would have made any diff
ference.
That legacy seemed to place both
DR.. Marsden's offer and you within my
reach. I went to you, and we argued
about religion. Your defense of the
faith of your childhood removed my
Hast scruple about leaving my present
practice. My wish was to leave some
one in the neighborhood who would
care for my poor people. You decided
me to help the Sisters of Charity to
buy the house they long wanted"
/ 3Bnt the Sisters of Charity are
/ Catholics" she gasped.
MY agnosticism had long been
lshaky," he answered. "One can not
witness day after day the helps that
the poor receive, and remain an utter
unbeliever in God We had many
times discussed religion and you had
begged me to pray. Gods answer to-
my prayer was your convincing re-
/ plies to my objections to the Catholic
1 faith. | am now baptized"
81 made you Catholic?" she joy
| fully exclaimed.