Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-04-13

NNI 1 nave nearQ
TN these tales Of love and penl-
-D tence until l know them
all by heart. l used to find comfort in
them, but that was before / knew what
real sorrow was"
She was IA slight young girl, not
above sixteen. with clear, delicate fea-
lures, and olive complexion, an abun-
dance of hair that swept back from a
full forehead like the waves Of a 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"
II know, l know cried the girl, but
1t is not of heaven l am thinking, but
OF him, Pierre, the artist, who has
gone and left me no word Of Pierre
whom l love better than life; Pierre
for whom l have given up all, even the
church.
st 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. l never ques-
toned his sincerity. l never doubted
his love. / was a child and he made
me a woman. And now he is gone and
/ am alone, alone, alone"
THE man was not of our world"
said the sister, with some show Of
severity, ''and you do wrong to think
of him"
81 cannOt help 1t. / try to think Of
him as being cruel and wicked, to hate
him for what he has made me suffer,
but l cannot do 1t. 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. But 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 If
we will but trust in him."
The words and manner Of the sister
stirred the girl strangely. Looking
into the tranquil eyes of the holy WON
an she felt a wave Of peace throughout
her whole being. The flush died out
Of her cheeks. the sob died In her
throat, and going to Sister Cecilia she
put her arms about her, saying quietly
81 know what you say is true, ever
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-
lleve in the religion they prOfessed.
But l felt l must tell my sorrow to
someone or l should die. And so
come to you who are always gentle
and kind"
"You did right, Marie, and will dc
all / can to help you. All, the tears
the bltters tears that love has wrung
from cOnhding hearts. But who shall
say that unselfsb devotion and sacri-
fee 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 a prayer
and a benedlction and Marie went
away feeling greatly cOmforted. She
hurried through the districts that led
to her mothers shop and, climbing
the narrow stairway that led to hel
own little room, fell on her knees be