The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-07-28
HER SACRIFICE.

everybody was eXcitedly hurry1ng
about, for it was now quarter to
four, and he would be home at four.
Everything had been carefully ar
ranged and the aroma of goodies
cooking came from the kitchen. In
his room fresh-cut flowers adorned
his table and desk daintily arranged
by his mother Everyone was ex-
pectantIy waiting; from the porch or
lawn they were eagerly looking down
the road toward the station for the
appearance of his runabout. He would
soon be home! Home for the first
time for four years. Home from the
North to remain. Soon she could
press him to her bosom and breathe
the words of mothers love into his
ear. Jerry, his dog, was there, too,
pricking his ears at every sound and
restlessly paving the ground. Soon
he leaped from his place at Betsy's
feet, and sprang down the road. At
the same moment a bright, red racer
turned the curve. 1t sprang into the
driveway and up to the house. In
the twinkling of an eye its lone occu.
pant was locked in his mothers fond
embrace. After a silent greeting and
one long look into her dear eyes, he
turned to greet each one in turn,
turning last but by no means least
to his much-loved sister, Betsy. She
had always been his chum, and now,
though younger than he, she read him
better than his mother did. She read
story behind those big, brown eyes
"a story that sent sharp pain to
her heart. Feasting and merriment
continued for the afternoon, up till
the bedtime hour, when mother an
nounced they would all quiet down
and meet in the little sanctuary of
old, the alcove in the rear of the
library-for the evening recitation of
hero, was permitted to end the ex-
citing tale he was relating, that all
might go with mother to the evening
devotion. Suddenly Robert COM
planned of an commissioning fatigue,
and quietly slipped away to his room.
DSIOy uhOClDLOOu, l1CL uCdl dCuIu5
for. this dearly loved brother, she
prayed as she had never prayed be-
fore;4 as she prayed a little thought
crept in, grew insistent and more in
sistent, until it finally claimed her
for it's own. Could it be so, could
it be true of her big boy, her dear
chum, her very own brother? 80,
God Forbid" she silently prayed.
Curiously she watched Robert in
the days that followed, and every day
served but to make her doubts more
certain. Father L'Elaine came every
Wednesday from the neighboring
parish to prepare them for the Gin
effable Giver of all good gifts" and
she asked for and received a special
engagement with him. All the sor-
row of her heart and the frightful
doubts that had taken possession of
| her mind were told in broken accents
] to this friend of her childhood, girl
hood, and who still in these days of
her budding womanhood directed her
with the God-given insight of the All
Highs anointed. The counsel given
| was wise and charitable, but the
promise that accompanied it was most
consoling. Father promised to speak
| to Robert and try to bring back in
his gentle way this erring but ready
loved sheep of his fold All went to
confession in the early afternoon with
| the exception of Robert, who said he
had plenty of time, as Father was
going to stay over Easter. Betsy
| was the last penitent, and she waited
a little while to ask the kind priest
about her brother.
"Yes, my dear, ! have spoken to
him; yea, have even pleaded with
| him, but he denies even the very
existence of God, giving what he calls
scientific proofs to prove his .conten.
tion'
The priest paused awhile in deep
contemplation; Betsy refrained from
questioning him. Suddenly his face
lighted up and he questioned, eagerly
'You go hunting this afternoon, dc
you not
eyes, we both go"
TASK Robert to keep with you, then
my dear child, and when you find
yourselves in the depth of the won
derful, beautiful density of the forest
open your heart to your brother. Tell
| him you alone have noted the change;
Of the pain this causes the Sacred
Heart Of Jesus and your own tender