The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-12-15

DolmoSo ndQ V0nLuroQ TO ask MIS-.
Laidlaw what had become of Annie,
and was told that nobody knew. And
now, today he knew.
81 suppose" said the woman, hard
bitter smile distorting her features,
you hardly expected to see me to-
day."
Annie, sit down here, please. You
look tired. hardly expected to see
you any day. I need hardly tell you
that am surprised. And there is a CO.
incidence in this matter, too. The
last person I was speaking to was
Kate
The woman pursed her lips.
Don't talk about Kate" she said
shortly. "She's nothing to me. Oh,
yes," she added, putting out her hand
as Delmege was about to speak. Il
know all about her. | see the papers
sometimes, and whenever I do I'm
sure to find her name on the society
page-and the church page, too.
suppose people call Kate pillar OF
society. | wonder what they'd call
me-"
"You mustn't look at things like
that, Annie. I'm sure you have been
very unfortunate and eventually have
lost heart. You know I have never
heard a word about you or got hint
of your whereabouts since that time
nearly twenty years ago, when you
left st. Margaret's.'
you don't know why | left? Well
married man nobody thought
should have married. He's been deat
for fifteen years-drank himself tt
death. And it was good radiance
I was fool, of course; but plenty Of
other girls have made mistakes
"And repaired Them
Some do. But some need help tx
repair mistakes. I'm that kind.
wrote to Kate and my letters were
returned unopened. / called to SET
her at her Van Ness avenue mansion
called six times-and she was nevel
at home. If she had only been a sis
ter to me, helped me a little, giver
me word of consolation, why Nigh
have turned out well enough; but sht
slammed the door in my face, and
you see what | am"
Delmege bowed his head. The WING
from the ocean was rristling the Ions
grass, and the cypress trees bent a!
though beneath a burden of sorrow
| and wrong and sin.
sid rather not tell you, Tommy
how I've lived all these years. In
good for nothing now. I'm only forty
I've no pride, no shame, no hope-it'
all been knocked out of me. g
| around every day and ask for a hand
out. Sometimes it's the st. Vincen
de Paul Society, sometimes it's thu
Salvation Army, sometimes it's mai
l meet in the street. I've always go
pain here"-she struck her breas
land I'm tired of everything
She rose suddenly, scalding tears il
her eyes.
I'm glad l met you, Tommy. Good
bye!'
Delmege placed a restraining hant
on her arm.
'Sit down, Annie. Don't go yet.
| want to light a cigar, if / may; ant
I want to think a bit. Waltz"
Leisurely he pulled out his ciga
case, selected Havana, and solemn
ly lighted it. Then he sat back, puff
| ing quietly, his hands clasped abou
one knee and his brows drawn il
thought.
At length Delmege rose and pulled
| out his watch. It was three o'clock
annie, I have an engagement tt
keep in half an hour want you t,
come with me. We are going to Sc,
a lady
The woman, ground down as sh,
was by the wheels of wretchednes'
and vulgarity and neglect, had ye
within her spark of the eternal fem
mime. She cast a deprecating glance
at her tattered gray shawl and he
soiled brown skirt and her large, col
orless shoes.
s'It's all right Delmege added re
assuringly. The lady will understand
everything"
At the gate of the cemetery Del
mege hailed taxicab Fifteen min
utes later he was helping the woman
to alight before the Laidlaw resi-
dence.
Tommy" she asked in slow
dreamy tones, isn't this where
where she nves?"
Delmege paused on the sidewalk
and smiled protectingly.