The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-03-05

his friend put Naughton in gay spirits
and for week Davis lost sight of
him, except during class hour. Ches-
ter knew the course Frank was run
ming, but he could do nothing to stop
him.
Friday evening came and Naugh-
ton with band of gay spirits went
to the city bent upon pleasure. That
day Davis had not attended classes,
he was confined to his bed with chills
and fever. Of course he was una
ware of his friends movements
THE lively crowd sailed to the
city and sought a quiet cafe, where
they could eat and drink to their
hearts content Frank Naughton
was the liveliest of them all, and he
drank with the happy abandon of a
bacchanal
I'm the midst of the gaiety and
song some one suggested trip to
place nearby, whose reputation
cried out against it. The party as
sented with shouts of tipsy joy. Not
so Naughton. The very mention of
that name froze the blood in his veins,
and a thousand, hideous pictures warp
ed his imagination. His boon COM
panions noticed his sudden change
and heaped their sneering remarks
upon him. He tried to struggle to
his feet, but the liquor had deadened
his muscles, and he sank back into
the chair with low moan. A shout
Of exultation went up from the others
upon whom the drink had taken less
effect.
eve will carry him. He can't re-
sist, for he is a jolly good fellow,
they cried.
The hideousness of their dire in
tent slowly filtered through his brain.
His head fell on the table and the
world seemed to be sinking from be-
meath him. He had sunk low enough,
but they would drag him lower. He
had faint realization of his power
less condition for he, was in the clutch
of drink, and almost within the fingers
of passion. Three pictures flashed
before his mind, his mothers face, his
little sisters and the countenance of
Chester Davis.
IF Chester were only near him, all
would be well. In his anguish he
whispered prayer to his angel guard
ian, and his very soul cried out for
the strong, guiding hand of his friend.
A glass of liquor was pushed toward
him, but he refused to touch it. His
companions surrounded him, bent
upon this new sport of forcing him to
drinks
"As the afternoon drew into even
ing, Chester Davis grew restless and
quit his bed. A variety of thoughts
harassed him. Naughton's words
came back to him with telling force
and his friends face constantly fash
ed before his eyes. He could not ac-
count for it. Unable to bear the strain
any longer, he went down the hall to
Franks room and knocked There
was no response, so he pushed open
the door. The place was empty.
Chester went back to his room
troubled and unsatisfed Where is
Naughton? he asked himself; and
something seemed to say to him: he
is in trouble, and needs your help.
He could not drive this from his mind,
and his own name Davis, Davis, rat
tied against his poor tired brain in.
sistently.
Davis arose from his chair and
Y11I1tf prnd SIC fhic of
go mad Flinging up the window, he
plunged his feverish face into the cool
night air, as eagerly as sun-scorched
traveller dips his brow into a cooling
stream. A shower of sleet drove
against him, and he hastily withdrew.
closing the window. His mind had
formed plan; he would seek Frank.
But where? And the answer came
in the gilded cafes he had learned to
love.
Davis hurried into his coat and
hat, and went out into the bowling
wind and cutting sleet. His head
pounded fiercely and his body shook
with intermittent fever He swung
on a car and in ten minutes alight-
ed at South Square. Instinctigely he
turned into Fay street and entered
Lees Cafe.
"A scene met his eyes that will
linger forever in his memory. Frank
Naughton, leaning heavily against a
table, was fighting off his crowd of
tormenters. A faint stream of blood
trickled down his fare and h;c loft
hand, held before him in defense, was
cut and bleeding. In dash Davis,
was beside him, scattering the revel-
lers to right and left. He flung his
arm around his friend and before the
stupefied men could realize the situa-
ton, he hurried Frank into the street.
They took a cab and drove into the
night"
Father Dome stopped. A shower
of sleet dashed itself to death against
the window. The younger priest
arose from his chair with fresh. fer
vor kindled in his soul His heart
was lightened, touched by the self
sacrificing element in the pastors mar
rative. After all, it was worth to
try for such a prize. But what was
the outcome? Did Chester's sacrifice
bear fruit? And this telepathy? Sure
ly Divine Providence works through
many channels and directs all things
wisely for its own end.
Father Langtry looked at the pas
tor, whose gaze was intently fixed