New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-04-06

1N these tales of love and peni-
IO tence until | know them
all by heart. | used to find comfort in
them. but that was before | knew what
real sorrow was"
She was a slight young girl, not
above sixteen, with clear, delicate fea-
lures, and olive complexion, an album
dance of hair that swept back from a
full forehead like the waves of Il cloud
ed sea.
"My dear child" replied the sister,
"you do not understand the teachings
Of the church. 1t is not Of earthly love
the Gospels speak, but of that spiritual
love that paSseth all understanding.
Not of that love the Saviour died that
all men might understand and be
saved"
81 know, ! know" cried the girl, but
it Is not of heaven am thinking, cut
of him, Pierre, the artist, who has
gone and left me no word: of Pierre
whom | love better han life; Pierre
for whom | have given up all, wen the
church.
at is months since l have entered
the church doors. When Pierre came
into my life everything else was swept
out of 1t. l knew no other world but
the one he made for me. never ques-
toned his sincerity, l never doubted
his love. l was Il child and he made
me a woman. And now he is gone and
| am alone, alone, alone"
iuVu,a man u,ny nnt nf onr world ~
said the sister, with some show of
severity, land you do wrong to think
of him"
81 cannot help it. ! try to think of
him as being cruel and wicked, to hate
him for what he has made me suffer,
but l cannot do it.. Night and day l
hear only his voice. Oh, something
must have happened to him, or he
would come back to me-"
"Such faith deserves to be reward
ed" said the sister, moved by the girls
sincerity, you may be right. Let us
not despair. Blu should he never re-
turn, there is one who never forsakes,
who is ever ready to comfort and bless.
Tomorrow morning the Easter bells
will ring to recall the scene of his
death and resurrection. So may we all
triumph over sorrow and the grave II
we will but trust in him."
The words and ann of the sister
stirred the girl strangely. Looking
into the tranquil eyes of the holy wom-
an she felt II wave of peace throughout
her whole being. The flush died out
of her checks, the sob died in her
throat, and going to Sister CecelSl she
put her arms about her, saying quietly:
81 know what you say is true, even
though | rebel against the teaching of
the church. They who are of it, not
you, sweet sister, but the others, the
%neighbors, even my mother, have been
so harsh and cruel. have said such bit
ter things of me that | could not be
lieve in the religion they professed,
But | felt | must tell my sorrow to
someone or should die. And so |
come to you who are always gentle
and kind"
"You did right, Marie, and | will d."
all | can to help you. All, the tears
the bitters tears that love has wrunS
from confiding hearts. But who h
say that unseIfish devotion and sacri-
flee in the manner of love shall lind
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 IL prayer
and a benedicti0n n Marie Wen'
away feeling greatly comforted. She
hurried through the districts that led
to her mothers shop and, climbing
the narrow 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 a soft
down from the wall, stood at her side
with hands outstretched above her
while she repeated softly:
There is no death. the flowers say;
In faith we hide our souls away.
While tempests desolate the earth.
And patient wait the promised birth.
The southwind chants, there is no death.
| l come ana winter Is d DItdtn,
Against his falling walls 1 set
The snowdrop and the violet.
Glad prophets of the life to be-
A kindred spark abides in thee,
That, like the wind no tether knows,
And yet is comrade to the rose.
The earth thy mother is. her breast
Thy comfort, shield and final rest.
There, sheltered from the storms thou'n
bide
The coming of thy Eastertide.
1t was morning when Marie awoke
and the air was filled with the chimes
of many bells. The dream was still
vivid i'm her mind and, involuntarily
she glanced at 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. The hour for morning serv-
Ice was approaching and she felt a
sudden desire to sit once more with