The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-03-12

lucidity-and these were not infre-
tquent-suffer cruelty were she to find
herself abandoned to the never too
gentle mercies of any Retreat" how
soever well conducted, on paper.
The poor lady had died peacefully
in her arms but one week before, con-
scious to the last, her mind perfect
ly clear and lucid. She had died as
she had wished, in her own room in
the pretty villa overlooking Lake
Como. There had been no strange
nurses about, no pickering doctors, no
bolts, no bars between the, fitting soul
and the free sweet airs of heaven.
The gentle padre mad been there,
and the old housekeeper, and the an
gelicallooking little cherub, who had
tinkled the bell before the cure as
he had come bearing the Sacred Host.
Alice would always be glad that she
had been given the privilege of thus
soothing the last hours upon earth of
one who had known such sorrow in
her life. But now it was all over;
her task was ended. She was going
home to liye-to live! Again her
heart sang within her.
When she had left home the year
before, it had meant the postponement
of her wedding day, which had al
ready been fixed But it had also
meant the launching into the world
of art of younger sister whom she
adored, whom she had "mothered'
from the cradle--for the girls were
orphans-and who craved as her
greatest happiness in life, and GER
tainly as an essential to her ultimate
success in art, year or two in a GER
tain famous French studio.
you are SO happy" Amy said pa
thetically. She was soft, depend
ent little thing, and, in spite of her
artistic aspirations, obviously made
to be petted and cared for. Innocent
ly she had seemed to imply that Alice
was. to blame because she, Amy, was
not equally happy. 1t was shortly af-
ter the elder girls engagement had
been announced.
very, very happy, Darling" said
Alice joyously. Il did not think there
could be anything like it in life. But
you, DEAR" and Alice paused un-
certainly. you are troubled?"
Amy sighed. ooh, no." she said,
II am SO glad Only now, of course,
l shall never have my year in Par
is" and two big tears dropped upon
her slender fingers.
Alice was dumfounded She had
quite forgotten-in her own joy she
really habitat she. had once prom
Used Amy a year with M. de J.. in the
French capital. Little by little, ever
since she had secured her position as
teacher Of languages in the great
High School, had she put aside GER
tain sum for that purpose. Mentally
she now did a rapid calculation. No,
the amount in the bank was not large
enough yet. In about two years it
certainly would be- She might pos
sibly postpone her marriage for year,
but for two! sAlice's heart failed her.
What would Philip say?
What Philip" said was very EN-,
phatically said that night. Two
years!--one year!--he could barely
wait out the month! Alice came from
that interview rather fearful, trem-
bling, too, and shaken strangely. For
the first time in her life she had felt
the full force of strong mans love,
and it had rushed upon her like ter
rible current that would not be stem
med.
Yet, next. morning, when the post
had most Unexpectedly brought her
the offer of companionship to Mrs.
- for one year, at sum gener-
GUS enough to make her rub her
eyes, and Jock again to see If it were
true, she had known that she must
accept. Amy's pathetic eyes would