The Art of Disappearing

s remained wide open to catch the general sentiment about himself, and the varying opinions as to his manners and character. He began to perceive by degrees the magni

bout him, accepting pleasantly, until health and humor would urge him to speak of his own accord, Anne's cloudy story of his adventures, of luck in the mines, and of excuses for his long silence. All observed the new element in his disposition; the b

an' fightin' him bekase there was no fur collar to id, in walked his wife an' three childher to him an' her, an' shtayed wid her ever afther. Begob, she never said another word about fur collars, an' she never got another velvet sack till she died. Tommy had money, enough to kape them all decent, bud not enough for velvet and silk an' joolry. Fro

her son's wife arrived, fitting a winter cloak to her tr

it again. I don't care what woman came in the door, I'd turn her out like a thramp. He's mine, I've

ouse anny more than yerself. I'm on'y warnin' yez. It 'ud jist

e. In Anne's wardrobe hung such a collection of millinery, dresses, ornaments, that the mere thought of losing it saddened

" cried she, "to see things no wan but you wo

n a wondher over Artie, they're in a greater wondher over Artie's mother, buyin' silks, an' sa

a gleeful laugh, as she flung away care and turned to the mirror. For

pains not only to soothe his mother's fright but also to explain the little matters whic

l it to her mistress. "A woman of fifty, that always dressed in dark colors, sensibly, to take all at once to red, and ye

ney," sighed Mo

colors wint well enough. Her father always dhressed her well. Anyhow she's goin' to make up for all the years she had to dhress l

at the prospect of unlimited opera, for Anne

s; though how anny of 'em can get beyant Noah an' the ark bates me. Now they're puttin' Micksheen in condition, which manes all sorts of nonsense, an' plenty o' throuble for the poor cat, that does be bawlin' all over the house night an' day wid the dhread of it, an' lukkin' up at me pitiful to save him from what's comin'. Artie has enthered his name at the polis hea

way and she laughed till the tears

rard. "Surely Arthur ought to know enough to stop

air a very different comple

ight, and I had a big share in darkening it; so I'm going to crowd as much fun into it as she is willing to stand. Then I want to see how Micksheen stands in the community. His looks are fin

, and I wish you luck

ome surprising movements; for he could not measure her, nor form any impression of her, nor see a line of her natural disposition. Her human side appeared very clearly in her influence with the clan, her sincere and affectionate interest in himself, and her appetite for news in detail. Had she not made him live over again the late reception by her questions as to what was done, what ev

our midst, and deprive us of a great benefactor, for I am sure you will p

seized his hands, held them and patted them aff

known you since child

onded to her warmth, and looked closely into the blue glasses with a smile. Immediately the little woman sank back into her corner. Long after he settled the doubt which assailed him at that moment, if there were not significance in her look and words and manner. Sister Magdalen bored him ten minutes with her history. He must surely take an interest in her ... great friend of his father's ... and indeed of his friends ... her whole life de

e or license they put her out, bekase she wudn't do what the head wan ordhered her to do. So now she's in New York, an' Sisther Mary Mag Dillon is lukkin afther her, an' says s

attracted him naturally; from them he picked up stray features of Arthur Dillon's character; but that which drew him to them utterly was his love for Louis. Never had any boy, he believed, so profoundly the love of mother and sister

"that he took up the idea of being a pries

e sang the Mass for us and blessed us all. It was beautiful to see, the boy we had known all his life, to come among us a priest, and to say Mass in front of Father O'Donnell-I never can call him Monsignor-with the sweetest voice you e

ist, but a smile ligh

l served. Nothing was said to him about being a priest. That was left to God. One winter he began to keep a little diary, and I saw in it that he was going often to Mass on week days, and often to confession. He was working then with his father in the office, since he did not care much for school. Then the next thing I knew he came to me one night and put his arms about me to say

a start. "How can you ev

children all leave the house in time one way or another. It's only a question of giving h

his small room was like a shrine, sacred, undefiled, the enclosure of a young creature specially called to the service of man, perfumed by innocence, cared for by angels, let down from heaven into a house on Cherry Street. Louis had no such fancies, but flung aside his books, shoved his chum into a chair, placed his feet on a stool, put a cigar in his mouth and lighted it for him, pulled his whiskers, and ordered the latest instalment of Dillon's Dark Doings in Dugout. Then the legends of life in California began. Sometimes, after supper, a

hur said, "when you go to sleep so fast,

e last I dreamed a big black man came out of a cellar, and took ba

queer little pucker of her mouth, "that

or the thought of her sister on fire

onstance, and pieced out all her deficiencies and did penance for her si

hur said. "Tell Father

metime, and she has no sins to tell. The other day when I was setting out for confession she asked me not to tell all my sins to the

the child, thrilling his heart with th

ith a secret groan. "When you are ready to g

h papers and books, the white bed and bookcase farther off, pictures and mottoes of his own selection on the white walls, a little altar in the depths of the dormer-window; and the lord of the little domain in the foreground, hands on knees, lips parted, cheeks fl

vingly, smoothing his hair, lighting for him a fresh cigar, asking no questions, and, when the dark humor deepened, exorcising the evil spirit with a sprinkling of holy water. Prayers were said together-an overpowering moment for the man who rarely prayed to see this faith and its devotion in the boy-and then to bed, where Louis invariably woke to the incidents of the day and retailed them for an hour to his amused ear; and with the last

... but I must go back ... and th

hur stood beside the altar in the dormer-window, motio

he suffers too ... but not enough ... the child ...

epeating what was told to him. Rid of fear Louis slapped him on the shoulder

tie, you had better make open confession of your sins. Why shou

ent, then put his arms about Louis. Th

ly for your ear now. I had a wife ... she w

ld? you spoke

hill and wiped the sw

... thank God for th

ke the Trumps. He leaned over and studied the sleeping face, so sweetly mournful, so like death, yet more spiritual, for the soul was there still. In this face the senses had lost their daylight influence, had withdrawn into the shadows; and now the light of innocence, the light of a beautiful soul, the light that never was on land or sea, shone out of the still features. A fe

and yet he dared ask no questions, dared not go even to Monsignor for explanations. With the prelate his relations had to take that character which suited their individual standing. When etiquette allow

ut I knew no other place well enough to get the right people. And then

oon, for the charm of this life is overpowering me. I shall never wish to go bac

sea," Monsignor answered reflectively, "but

istraction from this intolerable pain," ta

and your chief; even men like Birmingham. They have the ambition which ru

eyond

losed to Catholic

st the mysterious ag

ely stirred your heart when the ideas of Irish and Catholic were presented to you. See if it was not distrust, d

ontempt, with a hint of amuseme

re touching people of whom

er mys

nd the same feelings have become a part of English character. It is in the English blood, and therefore it is in yours

orld. I am such a mystery to myself, however, tha

terprise," said the priest, "on that very account. L

r answered hotly. "I told you the consequences that were coming-you averted them-there's no use to talk of g

half-formed temple the air of a frowsy, ill-dressed child; and the mass rising to the sky resembled a cloud that might suddenly melt into the ether. He had seen the great temples of the world, yet found in this humbler, but still magnificent structu

child?" said A

to endure with the ages, able to support whatever man may pile upon them. This building is part of

attempt this mir

aith the first really great temple on this continent. The country waited for them. This temple will express more than a desire to have protection from bad weather, and to cover the preacher's pulpit

rk in which my friends are engaged. I'll not let the mysteries trouble me. I begin to see what you are, and a little of what you

ut in good time. For the present look to yourself, closely, mind; and draw upon me, upo

perous youth this generous offer of sympathy and love; but now it shook him to the center, for he ha