CHAPTER V.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 52, 28 December 1899, Page 24

CHAPTER V.

Major Denison had no trouble , in proving legally for on account of his estates such proof was necessary—that Rome was his daughter. " J . The public grew enthusiastic when told that the young singer who had made such a hit on her first appearance had turned out to be the child so earnestly sought for. „,*.. • Here was a romance in real life at last' Hundreds of sentimental maidens envied Roeie her good fortune, and wished .that they had soldier fathers come back from the savages to find them grown into beautiful, dark-eyed sirenft, with bewitohing voices, and to take them away to a picturesque Welsh mansion, there to live as its mistress. In spite of the laudatory comments which her beauty and her voice excited, Rosie was very humble under her changed fortunes, very happy too, as the Rev. Mother and Sister Angela knew, for from them she kept baok nothing. They knew that she was only too glad to give np the life of a professional singer, notwithstanding the brilliant future which •seemed in store for her. She never had any real liking foi the life, but Herr Scheren'e persuasions, and the necessity she was under of earning a livelihood, had pointed it out as the one for which nature had best fitted her. And now she had given it all up with a light heart, though Herr Scheren's disappointment pained her not a little. Poor man ! It was a great blow to him, yet not without its consolations, for he had shared in Rosie's renown, and as the master who had trained her he had received much favourable notice in the Press, a fact which had determined him to settle down in London and ( take the ball at the hop,' to use a common phrase, and, I may add, that he had never reason to regret this change. Rosie took kindly to her new situation. She learned to love her father tenderly, while his affection for her was apparent in every look and tone. Deprived of love during the best part of bis manhood he seemed to live on it entirely now. It was but natural that Rosie should have many suitors for her hand — she was a beautiful heiress— but none succeeded in touching her heart. Sometimes she wondered at this herself, and one day it flashed on her that she had no heart to give — that it was in her old home in the keeping of St. Angela for One who would some day claim it. This conviction grew on her daily. Her father noticed her new-born gravity and gently inquired its canse. Hesitatingly she told him. His face blanched as he listened, and a look of intense sadness crept into his eyes. But he was a true Catholic, and bade her go and find out God's Will. So she bared her heart to God's minister, who clearly saw that to her was given the Bpeoial grace of a call to the religious life. And she had thought that she would never be a nun 1 But that was before she had been tried— when there would have been no sacrifice to make. Now she had to sacrifice her father. Her poor father ! How should she leave him 7 Then she pictured to herself the delight of Rev. Mother when she should hear the news. To Major Denison it was sorrowful news, but he bore it like a Christian and a soldier. The sacrifice which God demanded he made with fortitude, nor thought Him hard to take away what He had so lately given. He often visits the convent, which is now in very truth his daughter's home, and when at Benediction he hears her glorious voice fill the chapel he feels that God has been good to him, and with a grateful heart inwardly joiua in the ' Laudate.' — Catholic Fireside.