REX CORDIUM

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 22, 1 June 1905, Page 23

REX CORDIUM

I. ' You're the only passenger, Miss; 1 said the station agent, as he handed me to t)he platform ; ' j,ust step m here.' A kinjd ni shed a few paces away, bearing cweihead the notice, ' Linleu,' told live my destination, wa^ indued reached. 1 Mt< Ellis, tihe school secretary, will be here in a few mi)n>ites, Miss. He had to fetch some letters aiwl toltd mo to get you warm. Mighty sh/arD weather, Miss,' and my obliging gufdo vbowed amd departed. I, Agnes Morns, university uindergiradiuate, had lately been apjryoiintod teacher of Linteu -district school. Papa's la.st <j|lness had etfhaus-teid our slonfrler capital, and, as my widowed mother had but Mabel, a girl of twelve, and myself, the hope cf becoming the stay and support of my dear ones urged me to the sacrifice. Thus tremblingly, *b*ut hop-efully, I accepted tfce position. Mr. Elhis greeted me most kindly. He was an eldeily man, wit<h a pleasant ihougn careworn face I motiteld that he hesitated a little o\er his words, as if he weighed everything he said. lie made many inquiries as to my cjomToxt as he smoked me my place in the sleigh. ' I'\e '■lei 1 led the wee ones dov. n at out feet, Mi r --s Morris. I thilnk they'll be more coxy there. The road's bad apiH we're having ahoh a cold snap. Put the buffalo aroamd yiou tight.' Tlie ' wee ones ' were two little girlis, at present undistinguishalble foiiindles in mu/Hers and wiaps. Jt n,is too cold for conversation, and I cforew mv furs arorn*l me and abandoned nuself to the 'delight of a [r t sleigh ride i,n the country. The road v.ias uneven for Some b(iit was finally succeeded by a smooth, Fjhmi'rug track, and we sped along to the music of the sleigh-hells. Night was closing in as we stopped at the entrance to a lon's:, low farm-hou^e Mr. Ellis one,ned the gate a'nid, after tailing" ' Jolartny, eomp help with, the 1 trunk,' turned to me and smilod ' 'F r aid you'ic cold, Miss Morris Not used to the country, are you Never mind You'll shon hie the air Gi.ess c |i.<ppcr's ready by this time ' The 1- lichen was neatness itself, with its polishejd stove, white-worn floor, immaculate cloth, a,n«l d;nni\ tea service. It. gave a pleading sip'n c e of home comfort. Mr Ellis opened the door of an inner apartment aJid calha • ' Jane, here's Mi^s Morris ' A tall, mick'le-aejed woman came forward, holding out a long, thm ha.nd 'Miss Mociis, you're welcome. T hope you're not altogether frnve ' Then, looking at her Ivi starve! , 'My sa^es ' What kept you ? Did you think I'd nothin' to do b"t sit here waitm', an' the sui^ier srnhn', an' the milk not sttfainoi vet, 'nor the yoimc uns' rlotihes i^ady Jor ihfi w?i>h. Much vo" rare, tho'T/i. Keepn' this stranger out c o lono; in the cold,, t^o It's a <-hn;pe ' ' T hastchcU tn Fhy that T had enio\>e"l the ride extremely. After a few minuses the irate lady rrrevv calm and T "turned to express my thanl s to Mr. Ellis, but he had tlnFar-fneared Muriel and Bessie, tihe little prills, had ia.ken of their c f-",oes and were warning iiheir feet at Hie st.o T c Mrs. Ellis c^cinsun'ir herself to get some lights, I Leg.an to chat with the little ones Arejri't yc*u afraid of getting rhilblains 9 ' I spi'd to Mvii p l ' Orb, no, Miss I'll be warm just in a nun'ite Wasn't \t erand, though ! Did you like the cutter ride 7 ' timidly. ' T gticSKis you's 'omesvek, Miss Ma\\i <; ,' chimed i;i Basf-ie ' Vofi mustn't cwy, though. I alloys cw y when I go away from t>a!ia.' Re-sio was two years yjounp.er th?n her st c ter, whom sho greiatlv resembled Both girls wore M.ie frocks anirl silver medals of the Immaculate Com ent ion Mrs Ellis' return out short our talk, and snnn vr all sat flown to supper Mr Ellis carved the h,im while Mrs Ellis irioiifrd'l nut delicious c,ups of tea. Mur'el and Bessie perched on hich chairs n^ar their pa^a O>/posite me ?H.h Johnny, the farm boy. He bajrl a shock of rrll hair and a freckflpd. cooS-natured face Taking no part in t»he conivorsation. Tie every now and then •would wink expressively at Mr Ellis, and, whenever I s~y)kp, wo'UM faus'e m the act of raising; a n'K-n-^ol nrd gaze at me with open rnimhv mouth and twinkling'evrs From Mr Ellis I leainen that ouis wa^ a new action and my duties comparatively light Some little

time,, he saia, must elapse before things wehre in workiing orider. In the meantime I must make myselt thoroughly at home anld get acquainted with the good people of the locality. ' These little ladies,' he added, ' will give you the entire history of the section in no time They're very anxious to get to school, but I tell them when they've liad a few whippin's from the teacher they l ' ll be glad enough to run home aiid play with i]|u.7sy.' Muriel and Bc^ie in rmson protested that pussy s'hoi'ild (ome to school too, anld Muriel went on very confidentially : ' She's good, Miss Morris. She's just as tpTpt as a ir-ou^e ' + w Fj ''^ R Wrs ' El!is couLI not rcfir a?n from laughing, alttyvigh the next moment she shnngged her shoulders and said . ''I hat's their papa's teaching f,or you! Ydu young-uns ought to be seen and not toeerd.' Stra,iug9 to say, her every word to Mr. Ellis was ia barb of lut/ternoss. He too'v no further notice of her than merely to reply to her direct questions, and, &up;cr over, withdrew at once, in company with Johnny, who w hustled on his way to the barn, the keen air pro\ing no obstacle to his en;oymenT of a jtiune. As I a'Nistcd Mrs. Ellis to cie/ar the table, I was struck by the look of settled melianchioly on her face. From time to time she wiped away a lur'the tear and her manner grew quite gentle. ' We'Te few Catholics here,' slie said. ' The churcjb/s ten mulov away, an' we get Mass only e,\ery fourth SubWay. 1 cfohfailv dn'\e the taam myself. The liataes can't e;io in winter an' Johnny's home Sundays.' She dud not mention Mr. Ellis by name, but went on after a little • "It-s a groat pity we can't ptfact*se o,'ur religi on 'better. Men are so ca.relq.ss, ycVi I now.' T syiniMatlm'sod, saying', as I kissed my Promoter's r ro i -s ' The Sac ml Heart has clone winders for me, dear Mrs EHUs. Who ca\n tell what favors are in store for >o.i ! ' TI. The afternoon sun was acVd'in,'g its lustre to the already} Shining kitchen, and I was prepared to enjoy a i.leasatnit ;hoi-r with my Longfellow, whep thore was a light tanning at the door. A slitrht vItQ of ablout fourteen years stood without. She wore a t lr,ak of coarse but pretty plakl and a hood of the same material. Her eyes, dark and deeply cx r irc\s"~i\ c, iioM of a sinong soul an,d a generous heart 'In a phvnve I s-aw she was not an ordinary girl, hit one of God's child heroines wjhom lie decks Avith s ; ;;ecial (graces whicih are at once a pledge of His love and la i<r)otc"tron from the scorn of the'worltily-mindeid. The j'iri 'dropped me a courtesy and sakl : ' Please, a r p yo i Mis.s Morrn 1 -- 9 My father sent me over to make arro^ngeme.nts with the teaeiier about some lesß'ons. I can't go to s Ciool.' I mvitad her in, ard soon we were chatting together v it h iho ardor of old acquaintances. Her name was li/ io Ilr.d \ ii ew St F 1 n/iafbcth , I thought, as I glanced £rom t'be toil-worn hands to the delicate face. Her father had been blind for some years, and Li/zie, his only cihiH, remained his only sclace. She looked after the house, did the marketing, kept the accounts, and was withal his careful nurse and affectionate compiriun. It was he father's wish that she should take le'scns in history and giammar, and advance a little wi aiiihmetic, fr>r which she had a gireat fancy. ' Y<.'i mi'^-t study P'reneh and German, Li - 7ie. I know jO'i'll hi c that,' I f/aid , ' fciit, my dear, when can vo\u becin 7 ' ' Ch Miss Morris. I love books and T can begin tornrrow, but I fear you'll find me stupid enough I'll beg our rinsed Mother to helm me that I may learn ip 'l f/sf an;d th^Ti I can do something for papia. I know i r he co"ld get good treatment he wo-uljl not sufTer so n^'cTi (>h if you knew what it is to see your flatlipr <il u avs in rain.' Her be?utifi.l eves Piled in a moment, and I could heir ihei heart Ihiohlun^ in nervovs excitement. ' He's all T have,' <~1 c went on after a nau^e, ' and >fi,iv by (lav T fpnr tihe s'ifTering may aiTeet his brain. Dc ir para ' 1 tlink the enU mrst he very near' Ju c t t^en Ihe door of the inrex room was thrown orm and M Tiel and Bes r -ie cpme unnning in 1 'I/vie 'Ovd, 'at you ? I's .so gad Here's sum dro^s ard e'eani rr.nfly ' ' and Bessie ("limbed into Ll7?ie s ln'\ while Muriel, after a hasty h,ug, darted away in r earrh of Airs Elks \ few mimitfp lit ter Mr. ElUs arc! J<^in ( ny came in for a FiandvaTrmin? Johnny's mouth opened in ama/c at *ig|hti of our visitor, ar»d the temporary loekiaw mi^ht have been prolonged indeTmitely hnd not Tjiwie obligingly come to his relief with a supply of the gum grops and cream cacnay.

Mr. Ellis seemed entirely changed. It was touching to see the strange taciturn yet genial man allow his softer niatu/re to expand in the company of this young girl, still almost a child. To her he behaved with a mixture of resipect, tenderness, and admiration. While she remained, he was indeed a charming host, and his pleasant answers, to Mrs. Ellis' sallies v quite bewildered me. At Length Li7zie rose to go, and Mrs. Ellis prepared to take her mi the sletgh. The chiFdren, greatly delights ed at the .pjitospect of a ' cutter ride,' pocketed tfre remaining sweetmeats, and permitted me to wrap them in some wiarm sifoawls, hanging ready for such hasty expeditions behind tfoe kitchen stove. 111. Three weeks passed rapidly away. Lizzie came to mo regularly e\ery day for an hour's lesson. I did not know what it was tihat created the bond of sympathy between us, but I felt we were no longer strangers. After all, acquaintanceship does not wait on time, and Li'//7ie's was a clear, strong, nature tihat, once known, ever repeats itself in the very simplicity of its strength. She gave me her confidence with the fearless candor of a Qhild. One Saturday morning we sat together over the books. Out-of-doors the snow was falling, and Lizzie's glance wandered oftan from Hhe .printed page before her to the ever-whitenuwg landscape beyond the pane. ' I knew that some tnoii'ght was exerting powerful influence over her mind, and I was not surprised to see her presently Oast aside the books and burst into tears. ' It's no ,use, Misis Morris, I can't strriy to-tlay. Oh, why should; all this be ! I cannot bear it ' ' I siooHhad her as bjest I couLd land waited for the confidence to follow. After a few miln'utes sihe dried her eyes and spoke quite comsnosedlyf ' It's stranpo it Happens just at the very time I want t\o be e;o)od Indeed, my oinlv intention is to do just what is best ; "bait at times, try as I miay to think only of parto. and of oaring for him, I feel something here,' pailn.ti.njg; to hor heart, ' which draws me away from him and makes me long for a life 'different from this. It must be just mv own selfishness, I saippose. "Vet, in sipite of all I do, it's there ajnd remains. And sometimesi it gets too strong for me, ana" I can do nothing but cry.' ' Lizzie, ' I said, after a moment's thought. ' I know vfhat von mjust do jmst now. We'll let the future take care of itself, or. rather, we'll leave it to the care of our Blessedi Mother. I've been tihmking of this e|ver since I'\e been hesre You must be a Promoter I know von wish to work for tlie Sacred Heart, and I am oon.fid.ont you cam accomplish a great deal in this Aery hoiuse ' T told her then of tne effort she must ma'.e to win baak Mr Ellis t]o tire duties of our holy faith Pijfl sne not Know that he was frWd of her and would do more for her than for any one else 9 ' It's aJI because I'm like his 1 little niece, Era,' she said,, after a pause. ' She lived bete "win em Muriel and Bessie were 'ba/tyics She died about four years ago I've 'beard; Ifoat Mrs. Ellis did not care for Eva, and since then there's beon this coolness ' ' But, Livie, Mrs. ETlis is fond of you ; th?t is why I am sure you could help Vhis unhappy lit t lo household and make it a truly Catiholic home ' ' Yes, it's lilke her to be motiherlv to every rme, anid I fancy she tries to make up through me to little Eva. She is 'So kirid-hearted, von Know.' ' Well, Livie, Mrs. Ellis has promised to take us to Mass tio-mionrow, and w^e can see Father Coutts and make arrangements for yoi.r band. There are five memT>ers riejht here for van, and T know you'll have little trouiite in eettmg 'the ttull fifteen.' ' Miss Morris, dam I be a Promoter ? What can a poor little thine; like me do ? ' 1 Mu'ohj darling;,' I said, drawing the nui'vering little b;and in mine ' Doar to our Lord art His little ones Vhom He makes use of in the designs of His Sacred Heart ' IV. As time wont on Li77ie fully realised mv expectations, atrNd proved her<-<elf a most successful Promoter Her baiM grew fast. Men, women, and children of the neißh'h'oifhiood responded readily to her earnest pleadfing. Her influence was magnetic. Sometimes I could not refnaiVi fyom tea^inc her a little ' Li''7ie, ' I wrfuld say, ' you are a first-rate heeicrar Just wait till old ace settles down upon me. Doubtless I'll come k'nockirig at v*our door and you shall plead mv cause with the rich ones of the land. Perhaps vfoiutself. mv dear.' She would laugh and shake iher head, Tnit the serious light in hor eyes only deepened and I knew 'her

tjhoug>hts were busy with tihe future. Mrs. Ellia entered gladly dmfco oiur design. She talkejd bo mjutah about the Lealgue that I thought it wise to warn her to moderate her zeal. Too much siolicitude might prejudice rather than help our oause. We must bide our time. Johniny accepted his League slip with some hesitation. However, on hearing that only one little prayer was rdqiiireid of him, he brightened visibly and with open-mouthed c/uri!osity inspected the picture at tbe head of the page. The following evening, when I chanced tjo assist} Mrs. Ellis to gather eggs at the barn, I saw him draw out the ' sljfp ' and carefully con over the printed words Then, rroaMng a telescope of hie hands, he took a one-eye view of the picture, concluding the ceremony with a few bars of ' Form your ranks,' whicsh Lizzie had taught him. Of course Mr. Ellis accepted membership at our Promoter's hands. It was in answer to her pleading that he oqasented tjo teach Muriel and Bessie the meaning of tthe ' Momang Offering,' making it aldui'd with them daily, just before breakfast. Still he gave no sign of retutc-n to his religious duties, nor had the chasm bptween tomself and Mrs. Ellis yet been bridge*! over. Weeks! ajtid months glided by and leafy June was with us. Tihe small statue of the Sacred Heart, my dearest memorial of nome, became the altar-s.tone of Liy,7 ie's fervent novenas. The ohildren gathered wiUd flowers ?.nrt |)lacod them with the ruby ligfit, a perpetual pcltitioln for the grace we yenrned for. On tihe morning of the feast of the Sacred Heart Mrs. Ellis came to me with a troubled countenance. 1 Miss Morris, I don't know what to do, I've just r>'u)t Muriel to 'bed. She's that ihot \and feverish. I •never saw her so before. We'll have to send over to Dr. Stone. He's always tended to the fam'ly.' I was about to express my soirlprise when Mr. Ellis called friom below stairs. ' A teleenam, Miss Morris It's come this minute fromi tihe village.' Hurriedly I brc^kje the seal. It was from MabeV, and informed mo iJhat mamma had an attack of congestion and requested my speedy return. Mr • Ellis kindly offered to make full explanation to the trustees He was evidently much alarmed on hearing; of Muriel's condition, and my fears coincided with his Tne cihi.d's tempetfature was rising, and there was an odW, imnafiital tinge on her peachy complexion. I foimd mamma ill indeed, 'and the en sluing Ways were tho^e of unspeakable anxiety. At length she was ont of danger and I could allow mv thoughts to revart to Linteu Htid the Ansel of Death wiho haS passed reluctantly ffom the threshold of my home canned a child-soul in his heavdnward flight ? A ifc-w days more and suspense was at an erntl. A Inns; letter from Lizzie gave me the details of Muriel's last moments on earth. With a courage in advance of her i(*nj:lor ve&r^. the hi fie darline; had expressed her willingness to die that sjhe mi«:ht ' betteir pnay for papa in h(*a\cm,' ancl then, tor the first a»rrd last time, sih* recei\ed o.ir Loid in the Sacrament of His kwe. ' Oh, MifS Morris,' Lizzie went on tb siay, ' the Sacred Heart has heard our prayers. Since Muriel died Mr. and Airs. ElHs have been inseparable. Together tihev watched 'hv poor Bessie, who had taken the fever lt'st wh&n Muriel w r as at the worst. You should have beard Mr Rllis prayinc; the Swcrod Heart to spare him his one little lamb, now flou'bly dear. Since she is past danger ho is a changed man, and is now abiout to erect, 'a chfuroh. Oh, Miss Morris, it is all the Sacred He a rt, ! ' But nmv, my dear teacher, my more than friefld, I ha T c ke n t mv own great surprise for the last. You were only cone a fWw days when a letter came from tihat Mrs Payroll who was my mother's 'dearest friend. She bad only lately traced mo out, that she hnjA wealth ?nd no children of her own, and would like to oall me hors. Of coairso T told her about pa,iya, tihat I could not leave him and that he wowld not consent to mo'.e out, of his dear old home. So she has come to see, 'us amd snvs she intends to boar\d with us, taking full charge of the house : and I am to do nothing ty.it en to school and take extra les<soTKs Oh, Miss Morris, o?n it, ho 1 p'e ? T nun scarcely believe it. Do yiou know what p<he siaid when she saw me 7 " T think, dear rhild, vd'i will one dlay be a nun like my sister, Motfier Mary of the AnirfunciatLon. Yon'll wear a white habit ?ni make a vow to »a\c souls." Oih, Miss Morris, will that e-or he ' ' ' Vhat Oor •Tesiu, Rex cordium ' ' The words 1 gleam in Rlorioiuff collnrs froim Muriel's memorial window in tihe church of Lintou. — ' Rosary Magazine.'