The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-03-04

had seen service overseas, gone
through a veritable hell, and he shud,
dered as he spoke. He came back
shattered in health, to find his poor
mother dead, and his former employ
er, who had promised to retain his
position for him, refused to give him
any assistance. For several months,
he lay in a hospital, and when able; to-
be about again, his funds We're ex-
hausted. Unable to find work, he
came west, finally drifting to the
beach town Here it was the same
story-no work to be found. At last,
his money was gone. In desperation,
he resolved to end it ALL One day,
he walked to the end of the pier anu
leaped into the water. No sooner
was the deed. done than fear and re-
morse seized him. He called wildly
for help, feeling, however, that the
end OF life had come for him. The
sense of helplessness as he struggled
in the cold, strangling waves, the
blackness that dropped suddenly-all
this was graphically described. Con-
rscioitsness found him lying in a hos.
pital bed. During the weeks that fol.
loWed--for -eOnvalescence was SLOW
he had time to reflect and feel asham-
ed of his cowardly deed. His dear,
dead mother had brayely borne many
trial throughout her life, not the
least being his departure for France.
He should have tried to prove himself
worthy of such a mother Thorough
ly ashamed of his weakness, he re-
solved to live it down; but the ugly
incident seemed to- haunt him contin,
ually. Even his unexpected good luck
in securing work the very day he left
the hospital failed to relieve Inside
preston and melancholy. He added
that he had been an expert account
ant, but now he was glad to work at
anything hetcould get s
Anne was touched by the story.
She assured Eugene that the feeling
of depression was but natural; still,
he must strugglegto fight it off, and
remember that the unhappy incident
belonged to the past. He had now be.
gun a new existence Henceforth, he
must play the man.
And | know you will make good
it's in your face" Anne told him.
He thanked her for her advice when
they parted, and told her he appre-
ciated beyond the telling her sympa.
thy and friendliness. And am most
grateful for your prayers" he added,
|humbly
From that day. the feeling of under
standing strengthened between Anne
and Eugene Manning. Mrs. Linton,
touched by the story Anne had told,
asked her to bring him to tea; some
|eyening They warmed to each other
at once and thereafter Eugene became
a frequent visitor at the bungalow on
the cliff.
With the acquisition of these new
friends, the young mans depression
wore away, and it became evident that
he was striving to live down the past.
The Caps deeply regretted to part
with him when he left to take good
position in a real estate office, but at
the same time, rejoiced at his adj
vancement
Anne, too, could have secured a pc,
sition as stenographer; but office work
had never agreed with her health, and
as she had not felt so well in her
life before, 1T seemed wise to continue
at her present work Besides, the
Salary was better than the other po-
Esition offered. f-sy9
s EngeneisI interest in the Church
dated from the Sunday that Anne ask
ed, him to. go and hear a celebrated
preacher whose forceful eloquence
made q deep impression on his hear.
Eers. Anne was delighted to note his
increasing interest, and gladly an