The Catholic bulletin., 1918-02-16

am very much interested in my little
pupils and like to get acquainted with
them" He laughed, and we walked
off together.
Such chance meetings happened Il
more than once, and we soon became L
good friends. | cannot deny that his
company was extremely accordant
with my own taste. To be frank, our
tastes and sympathies harmonized too
well. Besides, his personality, despite
his manly courteousness, and yet
youth-like preference, was beginning
to dominate me, while his frankness
and congeniality made, us ever more |
and more confidential.
He appreciated good music and was
enthusiastic. Uncautiously I gave him /
the impression at practice that |
played the violin. Of course, it was
his favorite and he must hear me. |
invited him to come up after evening |
rehearsal.
After the ordinary Good evening"
he sat down on the far side of the
music-room and watched me prepare.
| smiled at this reticent whim of his,
but he merely understood and re-
mained mute. played The Rosary
and felt it, even with this single list
ener. At the end | dropped the bow
and looked at him. His face was radi-
ant with delight.
You have expressions for all occa-
sions," l retorted to the meaning OF
his look.
Yes, out Of the abundance of the
heart the face spcaketh."
DO you know the picce?" par
ried.
| Every trill. I drank it all
Sing it then,' ] challenged.
| Il believe / could, and feel 1t, too"
He stood up and sauntered towards
me. lie was reminiscent, Or moody,
or | know not what. Another side,
| thought. With his head thrown back
he stood his full height and his full
| breadth. | started wrong. The warm
flush crossed my cheeks. started
over and hoped he would not notice
His voice giided in soft and resonant;
he followed my Interpretation and the
feeling Of his great soul responded
to mine. thought, then broke the
fiOOdgateS, and | was carried out On
the tide.
And strive at last TO learn to kiss
the cross AS these words died away
on his lips l could see that he was
sad and melancholy. A great desire
seized me to pull cut my beautiful
rosary, which | carried in a little case
fastened to my sleeve. The clasp was
actually Open-then, nO-I had better
wait. l hnrriedly pressed it to-
Have you any more like that?" he
asked.
"0ne ElOro, perhaps. You take your
place again and | will sing this time
for you | began an Ave Maria "
He seemed surprised. I looked at
him after ''8ratia plena." His face
was intense. He was thinking, but
not Of the song. At the close Of the
first part l could sec that he was en-
joying the song now. He liked it.
started the ''Sancta Maria,' and sang
Mater Del" A glance told me he
had taken note Of that Why? Then
| remembered that modern singers
leave that out. They are afraid OF
heresy. After that, self-consciouSness
vanished and l sang the last part with
ell the intensity of my being. AS my
bow relaxed he came across to me
, His eyes were luminous and | could
see the color mantle in his cheeks.
Miss Moreland, do you understand
what you sang?"
Every word"
[ AS l spoke l lowered my left arm
to relieve it. Something slid out upon
l the rug. That wretched clasp" The
crimson flushed my face. l could not
:, move
He stopped quickly and held it up
"a necklace and cross" l repeated
5 mechanically.
Great Caesar but it's a beauty
} he said, examining it. why don't
you wear it,"
; Wear it," ! had regained con
J sciousncss. 1T is not supposed to be
t worn; it's rosary"
"a rosary" He held it out and
IOShCu dC I4lC. w udI uO YOU uO Will
it,"
| Pray on ito the Blessed Vir
| gin"
| isn't that" he hesitated super
stition?"
; Superstition" | echoed, and my
l voice rose with excitement, mot by
any means, unless to believe in God
!, be superstition" | was hot and
flushed. He was quiet and calm.
Why do you believe in God, Miss
! Moreland?'
: The question calmed me- because
see proofs Of Him everywhere. lie
J shows Himself in man, bird and flow
er, and in every living thing. Be
sides, my soul tells me. believe and
, / cannot doubt"
do you believe in Christ, then?''
Just as firmly. He claimed to be
Divine, and fie did things that only
God could do. Besides, He built q
Church upon rock, and it still stands
impregnable."
, Before / had the least suspicion, he
stopped and caught my hand.
You won't mind, this once." AS
I-bje right hand S1jnnpd over. nina