The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-03-25

think Of your being here, and I in
plenty"
John, I haven't long to live, and
sent for you to ease my mind. Take
care of my little Catherine-she's
named for mother. I do not regret
going, but Catherine, my darling"
gasped the sinking woman. 81.
"Allie, have no fear; she will be
my daughter"
Bring her up in the Faith-will
you, John?"
Allie, she will be your dying trust
to me-" IA
The mother smiled her thanks and
ERE the bells for midnight Mass had
ceased, she had found her Home.
IS
Years pass, and little motherless
Catherine passed with them from girl
hood to womanhood. At first she was
unconsolabie over the loss of her
mother. Too young to understand that
death meant final separation on earth,
she constantly called for her. The
uncle knew not what to do with her,
console her he could not. At last
he hit upon a plan which, while max
ing her forget, would at, the same
time rid himself of the responsibility
of bringing her up in the Faith
the plan of placing her with the Nuns.
There, with little girls of her own
age, she regained> her healthy state
of mind and grew with the years into
beautiful woman, the pride and joy
of her adopted father.
Upon being graduated, a trip to
Europe was proposed to her as the sat
by her 'Daddie" in the new electric,
her present.
will you come, Daddieo'
mo, I'm too busy at this season,
but I've engaged chaperon for you.
ooh! you have, have you. So, you
want to get rid of me already, do
|you?"
rid of you!"
Eyes. Why, Daddie, all these years
you have kept me from you; and now
when school days are over my plans
are upset by the very one for whom
l have been planning. Do. you know,
Daddie, l have often felt that l am
but a selfish girl. Nothing was toe
good for me. All have l owe to you |;
[ have been happy here in my convent
home, but you, -Daddie, have been all
alone in that big house. Don't you
want me now just for few years %
why, of course do; but I thought
that Europe would be the finishing
touch and that you would like it. But
of course, you spoiled child, you may
have your way. Don't let your old
Daddie stand in your way, child, at
any. time he said, secretly pleased
at her decision.
Later both were to remember those
last words of his-she to remind him.
he to regret them.
Catherine was then seventeen, and
despite her youth, her common sense
education admirably. fitted her to rule
her uncles somewhat neglected house
But one thing troubled her: Why did
he not go: to church? Ever ready
to obey her least whim, always willing
to accompany her, and even putting
aside his own comfort to attend to
hers, he was reticent on that point,
and no amount of persuasion on her
part could ever make him reveal him.
self.
Don't bother me, child. I'm all
right. You can do the praying for
both of U.S. he would say as she
tried to coax him to church.
Finally, she gave up the coaxing
and realized all too truly that she
would have to pray for both. Pray
she did, and found in prayer that
strength to follow the promptings of
her heart, even though in doing so
she would stab the heart that loved
her best. !.
Christmas Eve four years after
GATHERINGS graduation, her uncle sat
musing as of old in his cosy study
The old thoughts would obtrude, but
uppermost in his mind was his very
life-Catherine.
Soon she'll be going. But / have
no right to hold her. She must make
her own life. I'm getting to be a
crusty old man and must not stand
in her way. My. how the time flies!
Well, my grille will want for nothing.
She will have the best and the man
that steals her from me must be the
best, too" he unused until his mus.
ings were interrupted by her who was
the subject of his thoughts.
Daddy" she said softly as she
stroked his head, tomorrow is my
birthday"
Eyes, child, and also the day
found you. You are my best Christ.
mas gift, but soon you'll be leaving
me, l suppose" stssss
How easy he was making the open,
ing for her-the opening she was
dreading and had planned the whole
day as to how she was to proceed.
"Well. Daddy, have come to ask
you for a present" she said tremu,
lotsly.
TITS yours before you ask, child
But why these tears?" he asked.