The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-07-03

yesterday, ana ne is just charming:
tall, slim-perhaps too slim-with
curly brown hair, brown whiskers,
and gray eyes, which have a peculiar
ly interesting, melancholy look.
feel sure that l shall like him." she
added, partially closing her eyes in a
whimsical manner. But here he is
in person"
The eyes of all the company turn
ed at once to the young doctor at his
entrance, but he seemed not to notice
it. With perfect .selfpossession, he
offered his respects to the lady of the
house, and then was introduced to the
company.
Thecla also noticed him and had
to acknowledge that he was a fine
looking man, and that he dressed
we'll. -....r .....-.4.. -..
"He will, of course, pay court to me,
because am the richest girl in town."
she said, with bitter smile to Miss
Hotova, her aged aunt, who since her
mothers death ruled the house.
At that moment the doctor stood
before her, and was presented in due
form. Her cold, proud look was met
by flash from a pair of eyes that
seemed to read her through and
through. She was confused, a thing
quite unusual with her.
Had he overheard her words? And
if so, could he have known that they
referred to him? One thing was GER
tain; he did not pay court to her.
Whilst he treated the other young la
dies with due Difference and polite
ness, he acted toward her with a GER
tain GOODNESS that humbled her; if she
in return treated him in the same way
it was natural.
The mothers of manageable daugh-
ters were delighted to see how little
Doctor Klicpera noticed the distin-
guished heiress. They were loud in
their praises of him; here at least was
one that did not seek merely riches
and beauty, but refinement and a good
heart
Poor Thecla. The mothers in max
ing those remarks were thinking of the
chances of their own darlings. Thecla
had no true refinement, according to
them. Her father simply worshipped
her; and with her good old aunt, who
loved her tenderly, she did just as
she pleased.
Doctor Klicpera was returning from
his sick calls in the poor quarter of
the town. He had much to do there
today; he was tired, and was hurrying
to get out of those close and narrow
streets. AS he moved rapidly along
Paul street, he ran against boy who
was crying bitterly. On being ques-
toned, the boy told him that his moth
err was very ill; that he went for the
doctor who attended poor people, but
he was not at home, and now his
mother was going to die because there
was no one to help her.
How the eyes of the little boy
frightened when he heard that the
gentleman to whom he had told his
sorrowful tale was the doctor, who
was ready to go with him to his moth
err! They stopped at a gloomy house,
climbed flight of stairs, and entered
a dismal room. And what sight met
their gaze! The doctor had already
seen good deal of misery, but the
sight always stirred his heart. And
what added to his grief was the fact
of his poverty. The little that he
could do for the poor, he did with a
good will; but it seemed to him SO
little.
He found a woman lying in great
| pain on a miserable bed; beside her
a little weeping creature; and in the
room were five other little ones, the
| oldest of whom was a boy of hardly
| more than seven. 1t was the old, old
story, constantly repeated in manufac
| turing towns; the miserable wages OF
| the father were not enough to support
his large family; the mother went out
| to wash and add little to the rev
| enue; and meanwhile the children
were neglected, and she herself was
worn out. Now she lay on her bed
weak and suffering, hardly able tc
move.
eff l die, o my God! what will
become of these poor children?" she
moaned.
| Klicpera tried to comfort her. Hell
condition was not critical, but she
must have quiet, and nourishing food
| Quiet and nourishing food. The words
sounded like mockery when one looked
around the two gloomy rooms in which
| the family lived.
The sick woman's eyes met the doc
| tors and sudden blush covered he
pale face.
| 20 sir, do not think that thing!
are always in such disorder! Ever
when l work out, l always find time
to keep my children and my home il
proper condition; but now that l an
SO sick"
Here the woman's voice broke down
do you not know of some one tina
could give you a little help?" asked
the doctor.
| She shook her head mournfully.
Mother" spoke up little John, &C;
kind lady lives close by, who asked
me while ago how you were ant
who said that she would like to come
to see you"
The doctor sent Johnny at once t,
the neighbor, and in a few minutes
a woman, plainly but neatly dressed