The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-02-12
nat. May ask you what your work

- ltSsr 4 l.l !. e
Nothing very important, I fear. i
am only musical student, and since
had rather overtaxed my strength,
am sent down to recruit in this
delightful place.
Yes, 1t is very beautiful, but one
wearies of everything. il have been
here two years now, SO that it is
almost like home. But tell me Of
yourself; are you, vocalist?"
L hope to be, though am not
very sanguine about it, but love
music above all-don't your"
I She regretted her question as soon
as she put it, for her companions
face grew white and drawn, and a
half sad, half resentful look flashed
into her eyes. @
Forgive me-" she murmured, and
laid her strong, cool hand on the frail
ones that were locked so tightly to-
gether There was silence for while,
and then Brenda began to speak Of
the mountains, of all the beauty spots
she had explored, and all she meant to
explore in the coming weeks.
That was the first of, many meet
ings and Brenda grew to love Rose
mary FOrtescue with love she had
felt for no one since her mother had
died five years before. That there
was some mystery about her she
could not fail to note, but made no
effort to force her confidence. Often
it seemed that the wall of reserve
would be. broken down, but. by SUI
'preme effort she would regain her self
control.
1t was the hour of sunset, the
mountain ridge was like a line of gold
and overhead the soft rose hues still
fingered in the cloud masses, but on
the mountain side the mists were
gathering. yelling in their folds alike
bleak rock and living green. On a
fallen tree by the wayside sat Brenda,
but not now were eyes or mind on
the scene before her., earth had no
share in the thoughts that clustered
round the holy words as the little
beads slipped through her fingers;
the mysteries passed before her win
ming, wounding, gladdening. Even
when she had finished the Rosary she
still sat motionless, heart and mind
full of joy in the glory of Mary in
heaven, and she started as a hand
was laid on hers.
did / brighten you? did not
mean to; am sorry. But you were
SO lost in thought that you did not
notice my coming. Oh, are you a
Catholic ?"
Il am, thanks be to Cod" replied
Brenda, rising, for there was no mis-
taking the dismay in the others tone,
even If she failed to note how quick
~ the hand had been drawn back at
the touch of the Rosary
do not be offended" pleaded Miss
Fortescue. Il have felt SO drawn to
you in these days, and DESTROYS Of
your friendship. have never had
much to do with Catholics, but / al
ways had an idea they were Ignorant
and superstitious. Now, know you
are not the first; have we not talked
on books for many days and, young
as you are, you are well read. But
it seems to me this" and she touch
ed the Rosary, is certainly snpersti.
tious. What can you want with a
string of beads to say prayers on;
surely the heart can go out to God
without that?"
Then Brenda, seeing that the other
was in earnest, sat down again and
explained clearly and simply the mys-
teries, joyful, FsorroWful, glorious, and
how the recital of the Rosary blends
vocal and mental prayer And then,
gathering courage, she spoke of the
Blessed Mother of God, given to us
IS Mother also, by those dear words
On Calvary; of the love that fails not
when earthly affections fail, making
childhood purer and more blessed,
the heart as tempta-
ions gather, giving courage and help
when the fight is hard and bitter, and
throwing its gentle light on the val.
ey Of the shadow.
She ceased, and in the silence
zane the everlasting thunder of the
ocean, and nearer at hand the mourn
'ul cry of night-bird, and the rus
ling of the leaves overhead. Then
Helen Fortescue spoke, slowly, dream
": .
Il never thought of anything as
beautiful as that. have rather shun-
led religion as something dark and
gloomy that robs life of its.sweetness,
nut as you speak of 1t, it would be the
light Of life. Mysteries! l like that
yord, for are we not surrounded by
Mysteries, do we not walk begirt with |
hem; and pass from one to another
Until the last great one of all enfolds
IS? Yes, yours is q living faith, no
old collection of hard dogmas and |
rude superstitions as once thought |
Nh" and a note of passion thrilled |
n her tone, "had l but had 4 faith
ike that to lean on, in the hour of
arkness and despair, even this bit
erness might have been saved, and |
ray of hope might have shone where i
II is now darkness. You are young, |
ou do not realize how cruel life can
e, how bitter the cup that must be
runk to the very dregs;s it steals
pom us and blots out our hopes and
ur aspirations as yonder mists have
lotted out the hills"
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