The Stonier

New Zealand Tablet, 27 December 1906, Page 3

The Stonier

ETHEL'S ANSWER

i It was Christmas Eve, and the sleepy little village , of Preston has awakened from its -usual indifference to i assume " the - holiday spirit. The pretty stone church ,_on the Mil iiad been" occupied rail-day .by the young _ " ladies of the parish," whose busy -fingers- had so skill- - fully decorated, it with the load's" of pines and' cedars .brought by -the young men from, the snow-covered ,' woods, and- "by 'night it, -was a .bower- of rustic beauty. - _- _ . 1 .- ~ " When the last touch -had been given to -the~ cave of Bethlehem, almost,, hidden under "a "prof us-Uln* of , green, the happy " workers"^ took** tlieir, departure. As .they passed into the. dark, , gloomy --street, the snow .came down in a riotous flurry, so. that Ethel Blandt ford gladly accepted for herself .and several friends an" \\ invitation to ride home in- Frank Marshall's new •cut- - j-teir - "• . Ethel was the most accomplished and beautiful girl of the village, and the daughter -^of a , widowed } mo- ; ther,~- whose inheritance had. been' spent' by -a profligate husband. When the change came from affluence -to poverty, Mrs. Blandford gave? i|p -her "elegant mansion and moved, into *a: small house. Her health, declined, and 5 Ethel ' took entire charge of -the family "and the educa-- - tion "of her brothers' and sisters.- Mrs. JBlandford's'in- - come was a mere, pittance- compared to what' it. had •been a few "years previous; so that.it was scarcely - sufficient to make ' both ends meet.' Witih~t.he as-

sistance of Ethel and by making over the many garimejits the little ones required, she?. -managlS, to keep. Ahc wolf from, the door, although his -"gra#s sometimes not far away., r , «. . [\, Ethel was a great favorite- in the community, " for she was kind to all and . interested herself in everything "tending to promote the happiness of her neighbors. She was a devoted Catholic, and her greatest pleasure was to be present at the daily Mass.' - But even this comforj, she denied herself rather : tfoan permit - the household duties to devolve upon her delicate mother. - When sacrifices were to be made, Ethel was 'always expected to make them, nor did she; ever /'disappoint - -■^the famil5 r .. _■ --£_ For several years- the rich and*raa:i&tocr%ic FrankrMarshall had been 'a visitor" at the'Biandford 'cottage, where he spent at least two evenings each week. Ethel gave him, no reason to. hope' that^she-r cared more for, him than she did 'for several other young men _ who came frequently to her' mother's." She, dla* riot ~ dare ask herself whether she loved.'him or whether he loved her. He had not- announced his love, and she did , not suppose he would- -care to marry a poor girl/ Mrs. Blandford realised that he was in- love with Ethel, . and, while she woukPnot object to the match, <= -she .regretted that he was an agnogtic^as-h^r own husband had been. • - l '~ l Ethel alighted from the "' convey anre .at her own .own door, thanked Frank for his- thoughtful fondness, and at once entered the house to begin her second day's laboiv-. She must hang a ''few wreaths on- the' walls of v their humble little parlor, dress the« Christmas tree, and have the children's clothing ready for them to' put on to %o to the five o'clock Mass. When she had finished her labors and was taking a little rest, Frank ■ was ; shown into the room. He was'always a welcome guest, being bright, lightrhearted, and- "frind. • Although by , far the wealthiest man in the village, he ;; a was considerate to all, even to the priest, whom 'he visited in case of sickness or, distress. Ethel noticed as he entered .the room that his face' -.was not lit -up with the light that usually played around his -handsome . features, - anck. she imagined he was not at ease. BeforeVslve had time to try. to account for the "" change in the manner of her friend he advanced towards her and' handed her a beautiful bouquet, of halfblown roses. Knowing her appreciation of flowers and" their language;, wl^ch she thoroughly understood, he awaited a reply, But ' was disappointed when - Ethel , - coolly expressed- her thanks and _ proceeded to exhibit a few of the many little- presents' she had made for the children. He made a poor, effort to be interested, but did not dare to mention the object of" his visit. He , wanted a Christmas present for Wlmself, the most valuable she could igiye — her love. Now he was in despair. If she cared for him, the blush of the halfblown roses that he gave her would- itave brought -'a deeper tint' to her cheek -and a .brighter light to her eye. -Her recited in a low tone the Mnes of Wordsworth :. _ -

' To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that often lie too deep for tears.'

And added : ' There are some thoughts that li.c not only too deep for tears, but too deep for words.. Dp you cherish any such ? If so) can you not find a flower that will express them as I hoped to havemine revealed by the unfolded rose ? ' - """'__ Etfiel handed him a leaf - plucked from an oak gerailium, and -quietly but firmly replied : ' Flowers are often kind messengers, and spare us. from telling our friends things that seem cruel. But" it would- be far more cruel to deceive them. .You remember the line :

" I must be cruel, only to be kind "'? '

Frank said a sad good-bye, - and left the" house. He loved Ethel devotedly. He had not doubted that bis proposal would be accepted, and *it was not until * the bit of geranium had been given him M.>hat his hope vanished. Placing the leaf in his poeket-'foook, he drove hoome, not yet willing to abandon, his suit. Christmas dawned brightly for the little ones at Mrs. Blandford's. They went 'to early Mass, and were then given the presents, most ol them Ethel's handiwork. During the day a letter came for her from Frank, with a valuable present. He asked that the leaf of geranium might be exchanged for a rose leaf, so that Chiristmas might not pass without 'giving ham a ray of hope.

Ethel replied to the note and returned the present. To 'do so caused many tears to fall upon her cheeks, for she now realised the fact that she loved Frank. But he was an agnostic, and with her unbelief was aj sin. She was fu'Hy •determined never to marry an infidel. She knew how dark had been her mother's life 'because of her husband's infidelity, and how sharp was the arrow, that pierced her heaft when he died without the last preparation for the long journey into eternity. She did not tell Frank why she had declined his request to exchange the symbol of friendship for one of hope, y but she made it quite clear to him that she would nevei alter her decision.

That evening Frank called at Mrs. Bland ford's and urged Ethel to become his wife. His protestations of love were in vain, and when he forced her ' to> tell him the cause of her refusal she kindly informed him that she would never many an unbeliever, although she admitted that she loved Wlm.

Frant'v received his refusal as thousands of others have done and will do until the end of time. The light of Ms life had suddenly been extinguished, and lie never expected to enjoy another happy day. A few days later he left town, scarcely knowing whero his wanderings would take him. After spending a few days in ISew York, without for a moment forgetting the weight that crushed his energies and robbed him of peace, he sailed for Europe, determined to drown his sorrow in the gaieties of Paris.

One evening about the middle.- of January, " Mrs. Blandford called Ethel io her room and told her many things concerning the family that she had never heard before. Finally she informed her that the little pittanoe saved from her once handsome fortune had 'been spent, and that the mortgage on her little home was about to be foreclosed by a Mr. McGregor, a Scotch money-lender. Ethel tried to console her mother, and said she would seek employment as a clerk in a store or as a school teacher, and if she failed in these, she would become a ' housemaid or make any sacrifice to save her mother and the children from actual want.

' Ethel,' replied Mrs. Blandford, ' you can do better than that. You can save us this house, and by renting a few rooms I can take care of the children until James is old enough to help us.'

5 Tell me how, mother, and I'll do it quickly.' ' Not only can you help us, but you can secure an elegant hame for yourself,' added Mrs. Blandford, sorsowfully.

1 I care nothing for an elegant 'home, mother,' responded Ethel, becoming alarmed, as she imagined her mother intended to insist upon her ■ marrying Frank Marshall. ' But tell me how N I can save this house for you. Don't keep me in suspense^ a moment longer, please.'

4 I will tell you, my daughter,' commenced Mrs. Blan&ford ; ' but in the first place let me assure you that I do not wish you to do anything that is agreeable to you. But for your own comfort, and for the comfort of the children, I'll let you read this letter ami decide for yourself. Here is a letter from Mr. McGregor.' Ethel took the letter and read it, while the blood surged to . -her cheeks. -It was - short and business-like, saying : ; The' mortgage is due- and must be paid. However,' I wish to marry, and if your daughter will become my wife I'll cancel the indebtedness.' A few minutes passed before Fthel could .control her emotions.

llf you think it is for the best,' 1 mother,' she said, 'I'll marry this man,- but; of course, you must . tell | him that I . shall never lave him. ' "No,, my clAld; I would not have you do so for the world you are satisfied. I think it -would for' you to accept his. offer-,, but if you are <not willing I'll write Mr. McGregor and' tell him hiV. offer is declined. He is ah .honorable man, -, and calls himself a - Catholic. You might bring him back^rto the- Church, and "thus help him as iwell as-" "'ourselves.''- ' Ethel placed her arm around her- mother's neck, and between her soLs-said : .. 'If it is -the will of God,. I will marry him, for grace " will be given me to bear the' burden. Write to Mr. MoGregor and tell him that I do not and probably never shall love him, but that, trusting 'in _ heaven, I consent to become his* wife .and. will do my duty.' So deeply was Mrs. Blandford ._ on - account of her financial embarrassment" t£at 'she did not realise what it cost- her daughter to iih'ake the sacrifice. In fact, she. thought it was really for Ethel's happinesses weil as for the comfort of the other children that she- had permitted Mr. McGregor's often to be . even considered. She < wrote the- money-lender thai; his offer had been accepted, and that Ethel would name the day for the marriage, which must take place in, the church. " ' Ethel spent many hours ' before the Blessed Sacra.-* ment, laying her sorrows at tliesieet of Our Lord, and begging the protection of. the Blessed Virgin. When Mr.*McGregor called at Mrs. Blandford's and asked for Ethel, the poor girl, with" an. aching heart, entered the— parlor, fearing her strength would not be sufficient to enable her to endure the fearful ordeal. The money-lender, finding his reception so - cold, did not tarry long, lie, in a business-like manner, told her he had come to ask her to name the day for the marriage, and to intake any arrangements that were necessary. He told her 4hey would have no unnecessary expense, and that they would be married in the church, as he was a Ca/tholic. Ethel was so nervous that she could not talk to the old gentleman,, and asked him to- give her " a week to decide. He was so infatuated with ' her beauty that he was willing to promise-almost anything she asked, and soon took his departure. Ethel was truly a heroine, for she was making a sacrifice not for a few weeks or months, but "probably for life. She was, brave, but not strong enough to carry the load she had taken up. She was willing to suffer to spare her mother and her sisters and brothers from suffering, but, •in spite of her willingness, her cheeks faded, her eyes grew dim, and she became ill. Her mother was alarmed, but still' did. not read the secret buried in her daughter's heart, oh which filial 'devotion had ltX.il a load heavy enough to crush' it. Six months passed/a nd E.thel had not yet named the day for the sacrifice. Finally, when Mr. McGregor would wait no longer, she referred him to her mother. 1 I will,' she said, ' fulfil any arrangement she makes, but I must tell you I love You • have been told more than once that I did not love you, and that I only consented to the-, marriage to save my mother and the children from want. Do you still insist upon my keeiAng the engagement ? ' With the indifference that he would have ordered^his attorney to close a mortgage and sell a house or farm, he insisted that Ethel observe , heir- .promise and become his wife. I she did -not marry him within. 4 a month, he declared, -he would sell the house, even tf th. family were turned out of doors. \, -

The dayxwas then named, but before it came" Ethel was "taken with typhoid lever, and the family physician said she would probably die, which would be better for her than a recovery, as the fever had* so burned her brain that she would s be" insane, even should she recover physically. When McGregor .heard' this he soM the bouse, which was purchased by an old friend, who permitted Mrs. Blandford to occupy it at a nominal rent. She was given, -through, sympathy, the position of teacher in the village school, and . was thus enabled to make an humible living for the family. Ethel, lived, but reason had fled,' and for a few years t she was kept at home a- harmless imbecile. Then she was taken -to an asylum in New York by the parish priest. 'The physMan in charge said her case was almost hopeless, although he h4d known of a few persons in the same condition as she was who recovered. -He promised to have everything done for^ her that science could do, and added': 'We are expecting an expert in insanity from Paris, who has made some, wonderful cures there. He has attracted -the attention of the medical fraternity in Europe by his writings. When he comes I'll bring this case to his attention.' Frank Marshall wandered aver Europe for some

months,, but 'was still unhappy. Finally he went to Rome, -where so many" of the human race have gone, for ' peace. "While there .he attended .a course of ■ Lenten sermons aiid became a convert. He was rich, and had nothing to occupy his time, and conclu- - ded to study medicine. He went to Paris,"" entered a medical school there, and surprised his professors by .. Wls_ wonderful advancement. His only object in life now .was to become an expert in diseases oJi the brain. When- he graduated the- faculty predicted for him a brilliant future. He_praeticed, a few years in Parjs, and then returned- to America to take charge of ' all the cases >of brain trouble in- the asylum to which Ethel had recently -been taken.,- . Passing through the public- wards a few days after he had entered upon his - " duties, his attention was drawn to the sweet but pitifully thin -features of " a young woman patient.- >-Wliere had he seen that face • before ? He was strangely moved. - Sad memories crowded upon him, amongst — them a dread suspicion that almost caused his' heart to stop ."beating. - ' H^ow foolish ! It is not. possible, ' he, murmured: But 'his inquiries brought a prompt confirmation of his fears. It was indeed 'Ethel Blandford. For eight years, they told him, had she, been afflicted, and her case seemed ~" hopeless." What a change. -Bu^ his was -' tlie love ' that never dies. 1 In his eyes, she was the beautiful Ethel of former years, and he made a vow to devote his &".rill to the apparently ' hopeless task of re-, storing her reason. He dkr not try to make himself known to her, although he asked her many questions, that he mightdetermine whether^ or not there was -any hope thatreason would again resume its throne within .her mind. At first there was scarcely a gleam of hope,' . but within a few weeks he concluded that there was one chance in a thousand of her recovering. She ' was' removed to a private room and. received . special attention. After a long battle s.kill and love triumphed, and, to the surprise of even' Dr. Mars-hall, she recognised him and asfted him to see her home. Within another month she was pronounced permanently cured, and ' the old priest was asked" Ho ' come for her.

-The following Christmas a sealed envelope was'handed to Ethel. It was from Now York, and contained, fastened to a white sheet of paper, the leaf of oak geranium that she . had given Frank Marshall years before. The return mail touk to him the feathery fragments of a half-blown" lose. — l Catholio Standard and Times.' .