The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-12-30


he had regulated his own conduct ac-
cordingly. She could easily see how
her prejudice would appear to man
OF Dalton's particular calibre. Some
of his friends had deemed him mar
row and unconpromising. The latter
epithet she could admit. AS for his
"narrowness," she could not help adj
miring what passed for this--it was
striking evidence Of his character,
OF his convictions, that had already
begun to open doors into new realms
for her-if not yet upon this matter
OF the Communion of Saints. But
even upon this point, though she had
disagreed with him. it had been a de-
light to encounter so definite con.
viction as his.
It was now proof at least OF her
respect for his views and his firm
cleaving to them that now there
seemed some comfort to her in seek
ing out the old Italian, who was a
fellow churchman Of Dalton's. There
was always a kind of hush in the gar
den that affected her in the same
manner, for all her Presbyterian
training, as did the atmosphere Of ST.
Joseph's little church around the cor
ner whittier she had gone once or
twice with Dalton when they had
come down to Giovanni's. A few
times he had asked her il she had
objected to going in-he had wanted
to take some flowers for the little al
tar. She had consented; and, what
ever other impression the small
church had made upon her, 1t had Civ
en- her that sense of peace and power
OF soothing for which she now sought
the garden.
10 some measure she was finding
them as now she walked UP and down
the old paths bordered with old-fash-
Toned flowers, old-time fragrant herbs.
Signor Giovanni had the happy fac
ulty OF making his guests at home by
leaving them to wander alone at their
own free will through his fiowery do
main. So Margaret strayed wherever
bit of color called her-anaong the
dahlias with all their wonderful
gradations Of tone from Iemon-yelloW
through the old Colds, to the scarlets,
dark crimsons, purple, deepening al.
most to blacks of marvellous beauty.
Or perchance she wandered to some
plot Of marigolds where these quaint
blossoms recalled some old grand
mothers garden. The chrysanthe.
NUNS. too, were in full glory, flour
ishing in that variety and beauty
which attested the care of one who
| knew them as well as loved them.
| If, however, Signor Giovanni let
| his visitors wander at will through
his garden, he was not at all remiss
| in that courtesy and attention which
| he melted to visitors as though they
were his guests as well as his pa.
! irons. And SO now, from time to
time, he joined Margaret to point out
some particularly fine shade In the
dahlias, some particularly handsome
bloom he had for the first time Sc
cured.
/ Meanwhile, there was one subject
he did not for a while introduce
and yet Margaret kept expecting it
This was the first time she had gone
to the garden unaccompanied by Dial
ton, to whom Giovanni was much at
tached. Margaret felt sure the old
gardener would soon or late bring
up Dalton's name. At last it hap
1 pened.
"Signor Dalton is busy this after
noon? He does not come with your
i Margaret was momentarily tempted
to say yes" to the former question
when she recalled that Dalton nigh,
at any moment come in-though she
hoped to get out before that transpir
ed. Meantime, she could answer The
| other question safely, if somewhat
I stupidity:
mo; thought I'd come alone thi.
| time!'' !.
i Signor Giovanni kept silence mo
ment, remarking inward1y that thi.
was much the same answer DaltoH
had given him last week when hi
had come down alone and had takeI
| an armful of flowers over to st. 10
seph' -noticeably not carrying up
town a box Of any blossoms. as wa.
sometimes his wont. This looked I
little singular to the old man, who
during the last two years, had taker
more interest in the recurrent visit!
of Margaret and his friend Dalton tt
his garden than he had shown Ht
had brought over from his homeland
great deal of, sentiment--the flower
OF romance had not withered in thu
i garden OF his heart, and now it wa.
| getting the best Of him.
"Signor Dalton is well?" he inquir
ed, subtly, but with intention.
i Quite well-that is, he was whel
I last saw him.
Bene!' he exclaimed, stopping tt
cut last rose, handing it to her Will
| nice courtesy and the remark:
4 Il tell Signor Dalton that Signorin;
Crutcher reminds me of these deel
/ red roses and he agrees with me tina
| is the reason he always buys then
Il for her.
II Margaret smiled. The old mar
might as well have the truth.
i He has not brought me any thiI
summer"
i Nor" inquired Giovanni. True
He has bought no crimson roses tli,
season. Nothing but other blooms
that he takes to st. Joseph. I feal
that Signorina Margaret has not wish
II od Y,axy fr;o - =