CHAPTER II.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1, 4 January 1900, Page 24

CHAPTER 11.

All Eastshire was in a panic ; the people were wild and frantic. The great banking company of Wentworth, Baxter and Co. had failed, and ruin, utter and complete, stare I numerous families in the face. Many people from the height of affluence had to endure the lowest depths of poverty. No greater sufferer was there in this dire distress than the proud rich woman who was so wedded to her wealth and the things of this world. After the panic had subsided, Sister Anastasia wrote an affectionate letter of condolence to her aunt, to which the lawyer replied, saying no one knew anything of Mrs. Wentworth's whereabouts. After the dreadful smash had come she seemed to be turned to stone, and it was difficult to obtain access to her ; but after they managed to make her understand that she was completely and utterly ruined, that everything mu9t be surrendered — her house, furniture, and all her belongings — her state of desperation was terrible to behold. However, the next day she had disappeared, leaving no trace whatever of her destination or her whereabouts. Inquiries had been made, but all to no purpose. AH endeavours to find the missing lady had proved futile. Sister Anastasia was horrified and grief -stricken at such terrible news of her poor aunt, who was now advanced in years, but she put more confidence than ever in God's powerful protection. She redoubled her prayers and offered up all her mortifications for the sole end that her aunt might be brought back even at the eleventh hour, to her Saviour's feet. She had learnt well the lesson how to watch, pray, and wait. * * • ' Sister Anastasia.' ' Yes, Mother.' ' I want you to undertake the night duty in the infirmary.' Sister Anastasia's face brightened — nothing did she like better than keeping the midnight vigil. The still hours of the night she loved to devote to prayer ; the exterior calmness corresponded to the peace that reigned within her ; and when her meditations were interrupted by the moanings of some poor patient Sister Anastasia would cheerfully leave the heights of contemplation to attend to the poor sufferer. 'There is no immediate danger, I fancy,' continued Rev. Mother, ' but the female inmate admitted the day before yesterday has become very feverish and restless. She had slept out under an archway a night or two and got thoroughly wet ; this morning I thought it advisable to have her removed to the infirmary. I leave her now in your charge.' ' I will attend to her, Mother,' cheerfully answered Sister Anastasia. With a smile Rev. Mother withdrew, knowing full well that she left her patient in competent hands. Half an hour afterwards Sister Anastasia was standing by the bedside of the suffering woman. With bated breath and glowing eyes sne gazed on the face of the sufferer. Surely those features, shrivelled and wrinkled though they were, were strangely familiar to her ; and as she looked with ever-increasing wonder, the dry, parched lips parted and murmured the name ' Geraldine ! ' All lingering doubt now vanished from Sister Anastasia's mind ; she knew it was her aunt who lay on the bed before her, and, sinking on her kneeß, she cried : 'At last, 0 my God, Thou hast heard my prayer ! ' For three days Mrs. Wentworth's life hung in the balance. There was a fierce struggle between life and death, and then came a long, refreshing sleep that would prolong for a while, the doctor said, the feeble flicker of life that was soon to be extinguished for ever. Waking up at last, she gazed questioningly around, and seeing Sister Anastasia hasten at once to the bedside, a faint smile broke over the pinched and suffering face. ' I knew you would be here, Geraldine,' she whispered. ' I have been dreaming of you, oh I so much !' With fast-flowing tears Sister Anastasia gently pressed the withered hand and kissed the fevered brow, and after administering a refreshsng draught the patient calmly fell asleep. She slightly improved, but Sister Anastasia could plainly perceive how near she was to the end of her earthly career. She spoke but little, but she seemed almost happy and content as she lay and watched the gentle ministrations of her nieoe, who with greater confidence prayed more than ever. ' Geraldine,' said the feeble voice one day, ' I want to speak to you.' In a moment Sister Anastasia was at her aunt's side, who, putting up her feeble arms and drawing her niece down towards her whispered softly in her ear. As Sister Anastasia listened with bated breath her colour came and went, then, throwing herself on her knees, she wept tears of joy and thankfulness. In what a wonderful manner God had heard her prayers for her aunt's conversion I She wished now to become a Catholic I When Sister Anastasia had overcome her emotion she withdrew, and, going in search of Father A , requested him to visit her aunt. After three days' instruction the good priest deemed it advisable to receive Mrs. Wentworth into the Churoh, as he feared the dissolution was near at hand.

What a day of jubilation was that for Sister Anastasia when she saw the saving water poured on her aunt's head and heard her make the profession of Faith that made her a member of Holy Church for ever. This was but the beginning of Sister Anastasia's joy, for on the morrow Mra. Wentworth was to receive her First Communion. Early the next morning, just as the sun was shedding his bright rays on the little altar, which had been carefully prepared and tastefully decorated by Sister Anastasia, the priest brought the Divine Guest who had come in person to assist the weary traveller on her last journey towards eternity. Kneeling by the bedside, Sister Anastasia beheld her aunt, crushed down to the very dust with the sense of her own un worthiness, receive her Lord with edifying devotion. ' Geraldine t 1 the patient faintly said at last. Sister Anastasia arose and bent over the now dying woman, who whispered in her ear : ' Oh, Geraldine, I am so happy ! I have wasted all my life seeking for self -gratification and pleasure, but alas ! I have bought in vain — till now I never knew what true happiness was.' Sister Anastasia sank again on her knees and buried her face in her hands. When she raised her head again and looked upon her aunt she saw the features were rigid and cold, but lit up with a heavenly smile — the spirit was gone ; it had winged its flight to that land where there is no more grief, nor sorrow, nor tears. Sister Anastasia arose and gently closed the lids that would never open again till the sound of the Last Trumpet, as she murmured to herself : ' Peace and salvation at last I ' — Catholic Fireside.

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