But Thy Love and Thy Grace-Francis J. Finn, S.J

0:00Chapter 1 of Batthylev and Nygrace This is the Leprevox recording. All the Pervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit liprevox.org. Recording by Maria Trees. Batthylev and Nygrace by Francis J. Finn S.J. Chapter 1 What should you take a chance on? Why the diamond ring, of course. It's only 10 cents a chance and there's nothing near as nice in the whole bizarre. The speaker was a young lady, presiding over one of the prettiest and gayest boost in the St. Joseph's orphaned asylum bizarre. She was addressing her remarks to a girl who, as any woman could tell by her dress, was a working class. The girl had a pleasing face. The features were refined, the eyes soft, and of the tenderest blue, looking out my lean kindly from dark-soaked arch slashes, upon a world with wondered why face and habits would correspond so ill. "'I might as well,' she answered, "'I have twenty cents left, and I'm going in a minute,

1:05and I don't care about leaving with any money.'" Regina O'Connell had come into that bizarre with $3.20. It was not much to the bizarre, but to the gentle girl, it represented the savings of six months. It represented all that she could spare for the orphans. Regina wrote her name for two chances in a little book offered her, then paid her money. With her now, she added with a little laugh, "'I am light of pocket, and as far as the bizarre is concerned, I am through with it.'" The chance taken, Miss Margaret Dalton, who was perfect of the young lady's subtlety, looked at Regina kindly. He was touched by the fragile beauty of the working girl. "'Wouldn't you like to look at the ring?' she said. They all say it is a very pretty one." "'Thank you,' answered Regina gratefully. "'But I know you're busy, and I don't want to take up your valuable time.'" Regina said, valuable, pervaluable. Out of deference to the kindly young lady, she was using her past words and pronouncing

2:08them according to her lights. "'Oh, it will be a pleasure to me to show it to you,' said Miss Dalton, taking the girl's hand as she spoke, and leading her toward that thing of beauty, the young lady's saddality booth. "'To make one's way through the crowd was no easy task. We owes a fortune to right of them. We owes a fortune to left of them, a surging crowd all around and about them. Many holding bats in their hands, many struggling to buy them. Little boys who would get in the way. Little girls who could not get out of it. A gentleman whispered to be running for office, surrounded by a knot of laughing girls. Each waiting for her turn to hand him her chance book. Some five or six young men smilingly trying to escape from a zealous old lady, who was endeavoring to impress them with the idea that a silk dress which she was raffling would fill avoid in their lives. All these things made progress armored a thing which required vigilance and determination. It was indeed a pretty sight, revealed by the hundreds of sputtering, electric lights.

3:09They shone upon faces which were on a parade of joy. When people come to a bizarre, it is only the first step that costs. Once they have determined on going, once that they have set aside the money, the intent spending, and strong will and armed and chippel brass is he, who goes not beyond the limit he has set himself. The rest is a merry revel. If you wish to see for yourself that it is better to give than to receive, but all means go to a charity bizarre. Men and women pay high prices for things they do not want, and then chuckle over their extravagance. They are particularly happy when they pay something for nothing, and they become ideologically ecstatic when they have to borrow a car fair to get home. An hour in a bizarre is a crowded hour of joyous life, an hour where every second registers joyous greetings and unexpected meetings, happy laughter and delightful little jokes which fizzle away like the firm and newly opened bottle of champagne, and won't inconsequence

4:09standard petition. All this neglect of flowers, and a wonder of colors, and a blaze of light, and a gleaming of eyes, and a shuffling of feet, and a hum of voices. Grief, for a season, bids the place farewell. She stands at the door without, stands so long that sometimes she falls asleep, and so that's her patrons depart and concerned in merry. There was such a crowd and in such an hour, derogene and mistolten the unsuccessfully struggle. Within five minutes they had made over fifteen feet. I couldn't do better than you, mistolten, and ground-gaining, the best day I ever played in the gridiron. Said Fred Morris, the great half-backed of the St. Francis College team, whom the young men of the city worshipped, and of whom the older citizens had never heard. Indeed, St. Mistolten sweetly, but not at all appreciating the compliment. What he made us speak in Syrocholic, she would have understood him equally well.

5:10At this juncture and unexpected diversion attracted the surgeon crowd to another part of the building, leaving the immediate neighborhood of the young lady's sedality booth comparatively deserted, and Regina and Mistolten free to continue their progress without lead or hindrance. They were standing presently before the large showcase of the wondrous booth. High on a thrown estate in the very center of the case, I've from this blue fluffy satin line box, leemed the diamond upon a dainty gold ring. Regina's face lighted up, her eyes grew very big and opened very large. Oh, isn't it lovely? No woman could have said less or more. Perhaps you would like to have it in your hand, continue this sympathetic mistolten, a hearted warm to the poor girl. Oh, don't put yourself to any trouble on my account, Miss. Antid Regina, still keeping her sparkling eyes on the diamond, how I should like to win it. Mistolten quietly slipped behind the counter, opened the case, and taking the ring from its box

6:14handed it to the girl. Regina looked at it long, intently, hungrily. The diamond glittered in the light. When she raised her eyes, there were three diamonds glittering, at least, so thought of a junior old Irishman, who had just lightened his purse and his heart, but taking a chance on a picture, rich in reds, and destitute the vellies vestige of green. So far in charity, Carrie, a patriot. Sure, Miss, he said the Regina as she raised her eyes. Sure, Miss, that diamond be lost in your little hand, for the buyers will be looking at your shining eyes all the time, and wouldn't be looking at the ring at all, at all. The old man was then captured by a woman with a book, and so missed the chance of commenting on the rich blush with purple Regina's cheeks. This diamond must be worth hundreds and hundreds of dollars, she said. I wish it were, answered Miss Dalton, suppressing a smile. It is valued at sixty-five dollars. Is that all? If I had it, I'd not sell it for that. No indeed.

7:20I should be delighted if you were to win it. Thank you, Miss. You are very kind. I don't know you, but your face is very familiar. Poor Regina got that word very badly, to me, and I don't feel as if you was a stranger. And I know your face very well, too, answered Miss Dalton, of set purpose avoiding the word familiar. If I'm not mistaken, you go to Father McNichols to confession. Oh, that's where I've seen you. I couldn't place you at first, but now I remember I seen you at church last Saturday evening. You're one of his penitents, aren't you? Yes, I've gone ten for a year. He has done a lot of good to me. He makes me come every week. Miss Dalton gazed at Regina more sympathetically than ever, as the girl again fell to contemplating a glittering diamond ring. Miss Dalton belonged to one of the leading Catholic families of the city. She was refined, also through refinement, indeed, that she could go out of her own walk of life

8:22into the slums without rubbing off or garnishing the bloom thereof. Here is another case, she reflected, of a loveliness born of frequent confession and communion. This poor child belongs to the tenements. She has lived, perhaps, amidst scenes of squalor and drunkenness. Everything about her should have made her course in vulgar. That list she left school at the age of thirteen, and that was for a time she promised to go wrong and became course. The new confessor got a hold on her and persuaded her to frequent the sacraments. And now she is pure and modest and gentle, and just as refined as any girl can be, who has harle in more than a bowing acquaintance with words of three syllables. I think I'll cultivate her. She's worth a hundred educated girls who think only of themselves. My name is Margaret Dalton, she settled out, which you might tell in me yours. Oh no, I'm Regina O'Connell. I'm glad to make your acquaintance, Regina. It's fair we should know each other,

9:24since we sit beside each other in the church so often. Do you like going to confession every week? I didn't at first. Answered Regina, returning the ring to Margaret. It took Father Nichols a long time to get me to do it. You see, I used to go out so much on Saturday night. I'm ashamed to think of it now. Those balls are horrible. You didn't think so when you went to them, I dare say. No, but I had no sense, not that I have much now, for that matter. How long have you been working? Since I was eleven, my father wasn't doing nothing, and my sister got taken down with some spinal trouble, and so I went, and said I was thirteen. Don't be shocked to miss, but I didn't mind a lie more or less than, and got a position on the shoe factory, and I've been working there ever since, seven years. Do you like it? I have to. We left alone now, me and my sister, and she's

10:24bedridden for a thing, and the doctor says she won't last long. Oh, she's lovely and so patient. She never complains, never asks for anything, and she's praying nearly all the time. She's worth working for, and you can stick a pin in that. Regina colored, unrealizing that her last statement was couched in terms not quite suited to the occasion into her companion. Is your sister alone all day? Most of the time she is miss, but she says she's never lonely. She says her beads, and then the office of the Immaculate Conception, and then she has a book called Visits to Jesus in the Terranecle. Father Lissan's book? I think that's the one. A lady was in the house about a year ago, and happened to see her, and sent her the book. She reads out of it for an hour or two every morning. Then in the afternoon, she reads story books part of the time, and I think she does a lot of praying. On Sundays, though, there are lots of the factory girls who come to see her, and they are just lovely to her.

11:27They ring her flowers and fruit and cake, and they talk so nice in her room. Some of them talk pretty coarse at work, and some of them use pretty bad language, but they are good at heart, every one of them. I'm sure they are, Sima Stoughton, much better than people who would sneer at them. They are so unselfish, once when rose, that's my sister's name, was very sick. They took turns and stayed up with her, two of them every night, and they went to work next day, as though they had done nothing out of the usual. It's wonderful how kind everyone is to us. Won't you please take her these flowers? Sima Stoughton bringing up from beneath the table a bunch of violets. Oh-oh, card the girl, her eyes again outriveling the diamond. How good you are! She just loves violets and hasn't seen any since last year. These are very early, and they do smell lovely. Thank you, Miss Stoughton, and now I think I had better go.

12:28By the way, would you mind my calling to see your sister someday? Mind? I was telling you to ask you, but I didn't like too. Very well, please write the address on this card. It's an attendant on Main Street, third floor back, Merman Regina apologetically, as she wrote her address. Oh, by the way, Miss, if you really let me have one of those books with chances on the diamond ring, I think I could try to have it filled out among my lady friends. And saying lady friends, poor Regina thought she was particularly happy. Miss Stoughton could forgive more than that. If you fill out this book, she said, you will be a benefactor of our booth, and we shall be very grateful to you. I think I can do it, Sever Regina. Some of the curls won't come to the bazaar, but it's not because they do not feel kindly toward the poor little orphans. Some are ashamed on account of their clothes, and others because they haven't enough this finned. But there are plenty of them, it will only be too glad to take a few chances, no matter on what.

13:31I'm going to talk up the diamond ring, and I'm sure it will get them interested. Miss Stoughton had not quite succeeded in dismissing from her imagination, this poor, bright-eyed, eager girl, when Father McNichols greeted her. Aw, Miss Stoughton, this is no time for contemplation. Action is the order of the hour. I am surprised to see the perfect of this idyllity, bound and thought, when she should of all women be up and doing. I will act on your advice once, Father. Here is my book of chances on the diamond ring. Perhaps you would like to put your name down. No, I should not. What should I do with a diamond ring? However, I will take a few chances. How the McNichols took the book in glass at the numbers. Whose name shall I put down? He said, have to himself. Regina O'Connell's answered Miss Stoughton promptly. Regina O'Connell never heard of her in my life. But you have heard her many a time, Father. She's a little working girl and one of your penitents.

14:33Then she must be a very good girl, indeed, common at the Father affably. Yes? Why, of course, all working girls are good. Never met any other sorts since I was ordained. Well, Regina certainly is very good. She supports a six-sister and works hard, and gets no pleasure in life, and is perfectly resigned and cheerful. She's a frail little creature, too, and reminds me of a premature white and pink blossom in early April. Please don't say she gets no pleasure in life, Miss Stoughton. If, as you say, she's a weekly communicant, I am confident that God's love and grace make up for the things that are wanting in her narrow life. It is wonderful how generous God often is in filling with his heavenly consolations, those whom he does not fill with bread. It is the rich that he sends away hungry. I'm afraid, Miss Stoughton, that some of us have already received our reward. There, continue Father McNichols after pause, during which he was busily writing,

15:35I put Miss Regina O'Connell's name down for ten chances. I'm going to tell her what you've done next time I see her. You will do nothing of the sort, Card Father McNichols. Oh, if you object! Day interrupted the priest. On second thought, I believe you are right. The girl is my penitent, you say. Perhaps, knowing of this, she will be better affected toward me, and be more willing to take advice. Who knows what I may be calling on to say hard things to her. Yes, you may tell her. I certainly will, and Father, the poor girl was said to light it with the diamond, so anxious to win it. I intend to put her down for five chances every day until the end of the bizarre, and I'm going to get my sister some brothers interested too. And then, when some man comes along who is spending his money simply out of charity, you might suggest Regina's name. Some men are grateful for little hints. Goodbye, and good luck to you in all your undertakings.

16:35End of chapter 1 Chapter 2 of But Thad Love in Thy Grace, My Frances J. Finn, S.J. This liver box recording is in the public domain, recording by Mariector Ease. Chapter 2 Three days later, or to put it more definitely, on the following Saturday at 9 o'clock of the evening, Father McNichols, seated in his confessional, was making heroic efforts to keep awake. The person on the other side of this green had finished her little tale of sins, and was saying, for these and all the sins which I do not remember, I humbly ask pardon of God, and of you, my ghostly father, penance in that solution. Father McNichols suddenly noticed with a start in a jerk that he had fallen into a trance of how lengthy a duration he knew not. For your penance, my child, he said, say three Hail Mary's. By the way, do you work?

17:36Yes, Father. When do you stop? At half past five. Well, how is it you come so late? I'm still sleepyhead at this hour, you know. Can't you come earlier? I always do, Father, but the day I was going about among the girls who worked in the factory with me, to get them to take a chance on the diamond ring. Sleep very suddenly took on to itself the wings of the morning. The diamond ring, he repeated. It was no longer nine of the night, but five of the afternoon. Yes, Father, and I'm so thankful to you for putting my name down for ten chances. Miss Dalton told me about it. I'll feel happy over at that, even if I don't ring the valuable ring. The word valuable, quick and the confessor's memory, he knew few of his penance since in the confessional. Perhaps six. One little boy made the confedior, more gloomy and mysterious by confessing to, plus it Michael, the dark angel. A little girl on the other hand, lightened the gloom of the same

18:37prayer, but changing the dark angel into an arch angel. There was also a young lady, who, for reasons not only to her creator, always giggled in saying, that's how Father. A working boy invariably accused himself of committing the sin of detraction whenever he tried to pray. An old woman had the habit of cursing the devil, and Father McNichols, wondering whether heaven's chance to read, said it to, or against her account, was often tempted to ask whether she did it before or after meals. All these, and a few others who had certain peculiarities of voice or pronunciation, Father McNichols knew. Regina's earmark was the mispronunciation of several words, prominent among which was the word valuable. In Father McNichols' mind, Regina was catalogued as his valuable penitent. Oh, now I remember you, said the confessor. You're the girl that I thought God was calling to a high degree of perfection. You said that to me many times, Father. Yes, and I meant it. Do you make

19:41your spiritual reading every day? Yes, Father, for at least ten minutes. And don't you find that it helps you to pray better? Yes, Father, whenever I read a chapter of Thomas the campus with attention, I can say my prayers ever so much more easy. And what about that little prayer of St. Ignatius? I gave you a few weeks ago. Do you say it? Sometimes, Father, when I'm brave, I hope you will go brave every day, my child, and I don't wonder at your fear to say that prayer. I know very holy men who say it with the middity. It is an act of perfect love of God. Also, it is an act of perfect renunciation. The very first words, take O Lord and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will, whatever I have in possess, our perfect generosity. Then the words that has given me these things to the O Lord, do I return them, our true gratitude and true love. Receive them, dispose of them according to the extent of thy will, our resignation

20:47to God's will and all things. And then, my child, the concluding words, if really meant by their utter ear, are enough to stir the courts of heaven. Give me but thy love and thy grace, for these are sufficient for me. That is one of the most sublimeest prayers of human composition to be found outside of LaGoria and the preface, if, indeed, either of these may be considered of human origin. When you really can't say and mean that prayer, you are on the road to sanctity. Ah, but Father, there is a trouble. There are lots of other things I want. I'm afraid to think of praying not to get them. For instance, oh Father, I do so want that diamond ring. And I do not think that you should want it with over much eagerness. Try to get rid of that desire, my child. It is only a vain imagination. And then, Father, you know him. Oh him, echo the confessor

21:48mentally adding, I forgot and all about him. Well, what about him? He's been drinking again, Father, and I feel so bad. He promised me two months ago that he wouldn't touch a drop for a year, and now I don't know what to do. I've given him my promise, and I do love him. But it sickens me to think that I'm going to marry a drunkard. But what am I to do? For several seconds, Father McNichols has attated before answering, if he can't keep sober for love, now that he's trying to get you, he most probably will not once you are bound to him forever. Shall I give him up them, Father? I leave that to your own judgment and the workings of grace. Meantime, try to say that prayer wants every day, and especially just after receiving holy communion. God bless you. Go in peace. End of chapter 2

22:49Chapter 3 of But Thou Love and My Grace by Francis J. Finis J. This The Provox Recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Tories. Chapter 3 The room of Regina O'Connell and her sister was small and very sparingly furnished. Two common chairs, a plain wooden table, a heavy bed of the same material, and a small stub made up the furniture. Upon the wall was a coarse print, everyone saying the Savior, showing his sacred heart. It was so placed at the invalid upon the bed, because see it without turning. Despite the poverty of its appointments, the room was as clean as the traditional dutch kitchen. Rose O'Connell was lying on her back, her fragile hands clasped together over the coverlet, her face was pale and thin, her eyes were large, lustrous, and shaded by exquisitely pencil brows. Occasionally a moment of pain escaped from her lips. Suddenly she dashed her hands across her eyes, the look of pain disappeared as in a flash, and a smile joyous, expectant, glorified her pathetic

23:53little face. She heard the step so loved, so familiar, without. The door opened and Regina hastened into the room. How is my dearest little sister this evening? She cried, bending down and kissing the upturned face. Fine Regina, I've had several visitors during the day, and they all talked and laughed so that I forgot my poor old back. And how is the pain today? Oh, you've been crying, dearest. Now tell the truth, haven't you? A little Regina, but it wasn't the pain all together. What else, dear? You were coughing so last night Regina, and then you looked so tired about the eyes, and then your step isn't like what it used to be. It's heavier, and you don't smile so easily. And last night in the night before you was moaning in your sleep. Oh, my own dear sister, if you were to get sick and suffer, I couldn't stand it. Why doesn't God let it all on my back?

24:54Let him put it on me, I'm used to it. Oh, I'm murmuring now. God forgive me. Rose began to weep afresh. They were tears struggling in Regina's eyes too, but she kept them back bravely. Now Rose, she said, don't you go praying to get my troubles? I won't have it. You've had your share and more. And then Rose, I'm not going to groan anymore in my sleep. I did have a little trouble, but it's all over, thank God. You know, he got to drinking again? Yes, I know. And I didn't know what to do, but the day he went and took the pledge, and he won't touch liquor anymore. He met me on my way home from work, and he was so nice and effortful. He says he's going to be a man from this out. Oh, he was so nice, and he wrote me just the most lovely poem with his own hand. He did? Yes, he told me he set up all night, composing it. I've got it with me, and I intend to keep it all my life. Would you like to hear it,

25:55my dear? Oh, yes, just a thing that he could write poetry. Let's hear it, Regina. From her bosom, Regina blushingly took out a sheet of ordinary full scrap paper. It's just lovely, she commented, and the words are so fine. Here's the way it goes. Believe me if all these endearing young charms, which I gaze on so fondly today, which are changed by tomorrow and fleeting my arms like fairy gifts fading away, that will still be adored as this moment thou art, let thy loveliness fade as it will, and around the dear ruin each wish of my heart would entwine itself verdantly still. It's simply grand, cried rose ecstatically, but that's not all dear. There's more just as good. Read that part over, do. Oh, it is so beautiful and sweet, and it's true you can never grow ugly to me, dearest, and your charms couldn't. What's that word? Oh, yes, your charms couldn't

26:57fleet. No, never, never, never. Read it again, Regina. I'm going to get it by heart. So Regina read the first dance of a second and a third time, after which Rose recited it for memory, clapping her poor little hands for joy at her success. Oh, I just love poetry, she cried, and I didn't know it. Regina, I'm going to give up story books and read poetry. It is heavenly. I'm just crazy to hear the rest now, and I'm going to learn it by heart too. Go on, dear, read the rest. I wonder what he means by, entwine itself verdantly still. What is verdantly? I guess it means I can ivy, or maybe a honey suckle. Oh, Regina, I never thought so much of him before. With Regina and Rose, Mr. Thomas betterly, age 23, occupation and mechanic was always him. Her cheeks flushing prettily, Regina continued. It is not fall beauty in youth or thy own,

27:58and thy cheeks and profane by a tear, that the fervor in faith of a soul may be known, to which time will what make thee more dear. Oh, the heart that is truly loved never forgets, and is truly loves onto the clothes, as the sunflower turns to her God when he sets the same look which she turned when he rose. My, isn't it like angels talking? Cry the invalid, her cheeks blazing with fervor, and it's so true, you do get dear to me every day, Regina. Time does make thee dear, and it's so sad because there will be a close. I think dear that I'm getting worse, and, and, here Regina gave a little sob, and the clothes is coming, but you will be my sunflower to the last, and I'll turn to you. She stopped suddenly, Regina had thrown her arms around the child's neck, and in a long embrace they sobbed together. It was an hour of exaltation, the cross and the crown, the sweet and the bitter, the loveliness and pathos of two sweet and

29:03simple lives were wondrously intermingled, but the bitterness, the cross and the pathos were all sweet and in mid light by the faith and the love and the grace of him whose picture looked down on them both from the bare wall. Now dear, continued rose after a long silence, let us say that prayer together, it is a poem too, and I'm so tired, I want to say it while I can. Regina slipped to her knees, still holding the dear head with her arms, together they recited, take O Lord and receive on my liberty, my memory, my understanding, in my whole will, whatever I have in possess, thou hast given me these things O Lord, to thee O Lord, do I return them? Receive them, dispose of them according to the extent of I will. Give me but thy love and thy grace, for these are sufficient for me. Tomorrow rose at it presently, I'm going to read nothing but poetry, it, it makes me love God more, and, and you too, dearest, kiss me good night, I'm so tired, so tired.

30:11Regina kissed the wand face tenderly and then turned away. A shiver ran through her frame, and there was a coldness at her heart, how wand, how pinched, yet how utterly lovely it was a poor little fading rose. Oh my God, my God, she muttered, anything but that, anything, she corrected her thought and added, give me but thy love and thy grace. She was startled presently by the sound of her, this voice, clear but so weak. Regina, the pain is all gone, oh, I feel so nice, there is a change, no pain, oh thank God for his goodness, it has gone at last, and now I shall sleep well, it has all gone, it has been with me since the new year. Thank God, I shall repoetry tomorrow, nothing but poetry, and then, good night. Regina said nothing, her sister has sunk into slumber, how peaceful, how sweet,

31:13how lovely the face on the pillow hit groan. Yes, the look of pain was gone. Thank God, thank God, I could Regina, thank God for all his marseys. A moment later, they came alone knock at the door, Regina advanced on tiptoe, she found mistalton standing without. Oh, how do you do mistalton, she whispered, you are most welcome, I didn't think you'd come so soon. My sister's fallen asleep, do come and look at her. Just before she dozed off, she told me that all the pain had left her, and, oh, her face is so beautiful, she is sleeping so soundly it doesn't moon as she used to. Thank God, thank God, come and see her, and step lightly miss, for rose is not slept sound these many months. Tomorrow, she added absently, she is going to repoetry. Mistalton followed Regina to the bedside, as she looked, she started, the bending down she put her face close to the sleepers.

32:16Does the priest come to see her occasionally? She asks presently. Oh yes, Father Dylan, our parish priest, has been just lovely, he knew he had one week ago, and this morning he brought her holy communion. But mistalton, why do you look so? What is the matter? My dear girl, said mistalton, vainly striving to keep back the tears, your poor sister will never suffer again. Is is almost Dalton? God pity you Regina, let us kneel down and pray. The poetry of all the ages and of eternity itself have been thrown open to Rosoconal. End of chapter 3 Chapter 4 of the Love in the Grace by Francis J. Finn S.J. This lipper box recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Teresa, chapter 4.

33:18The bizarre had come to an end, but always not finished. Among other things, the raffle of the diamond ring was postponed. Some of the books containing chances had not been returned in time, and moreover there was a demand on the part of a great many for more chances. So for three weeks after the closing of the bazaar, the books went round merrily. After the burial of Rose, poor Regina was utterly disconsolate. Many and many of time did her heart grow rebellious against the will of God. She found it almost impossible to pray. She muddled the words with her lips, but her heart was turned to rose and crying out for her to come back. Often times the sponsor seat so ceased her soul that she was frightened at herself. Then in bitterness of heart she would repeat over and over. Give me but thy love in thy grace, but thy love in thy grace. Poor child, she was alone in the world, the girls with whom she worked were very gentle and attentive. He, too, rose somewhat to the occasion, and her love went out to him with his former freshness.

34:24She could not forget that his poem had brightened the last moments of gentle rose. The verses had put him in a new and wondrous light. Surely the man who could write such sentiment in meter must be noble of mind and of heart. Tom was a great service to her in those first days of sorrow, and not the real Tom, while the Tom whom she saw under the light that was not his. Sometimes, ending God's sweet providence, it is good to live in a full paradise. As a matter of fact, Tom was below Regina in every way. He was coarse, selfish, and weak. His love for Regina was the most elevating thing in his poor, sorted life. Whenever he left her presence, he departed, vowing to do better. The spirit, indeed, was willing. One week before the holding of the raffle, Mr. Margaret Dalton called to see Regina. Well, Regina, she continued after the first words of greeting. What are you going to do with yourself? I go to my work, Mr. Dalton, but that doesn't take me from my thoughts.

35:27And then at night, when I'm alone, I sit here and think and remember. I'm afraid my dear that you are unhappy. Yes, Miss. Call me Margaret, please. Thank you. Yes, Margaret, I do feel so wretched. All the pleasure has gone out of my life. She paused, then added. Almost. For she was digging ever in gratitude to her glorified Tom. But you must try to go on cheerfully, Regina. It is not the will of God, I think, that we should give ourselves up to the melancholy luxury of grief. We are on earth to serve him and to work. If you were to throw yourself into some interest or other and give your time to it, I am sure that your sister Rose will be pleased, and you would not feel the pain of her loss so sensibly. Yes, Miss Dalton, yes, Margaret, but I can't do anything. At night I feel worn out, and worst of all, I can't sleep. And then while I lay awake, I see her face coming and going,

36:30coming and going, shining out from the blackness of the room. And oh, I wish, I wish over and over that I was dead and with Rose again. It's all a matter of a few years, my dear, said Margaret, softly, as she classed the wretched girl's hands in her own. Be patient and wait. God is counting every moment, and each seat is sorrow, so each moment will blossom elsewhere into a flower of joy. Ah, yes, ma'am, yes, Margaret, but then my heart gets every bell yes at times, and I feel impatient with God. It scares me. Oh, he'll not reward me for the way I've been acting. I think he will, my dear, for one moment of impatience in the hour. There are a thousand moments of resignation to God's will, and God will forget those moments of impatience. Oh, so easily, but he will never forget all the other moments of resignation. Do you think so, Miss? I certainly do. God's ways are not our ways. In my own case,

37:34I find that sometimes I forget a thousand and one acts of kindness and courtesy, jemmy by a friend on a kind of one-rood word, or some slight oversight. It makes me ashamed to think of it when I remember how easily God forgives and forgets. Thank you so much for what you said, Miss Dalton. It's just lovely, and I think I will be brave or after this. Oh, Miss Dalton, tell me what to do. The words in which this question was couched recall to the mind of the perfect, attaching him to our Ladyhood Council, song, on occasions by the sedality choir. Suppose Regina, you join our sedality. Our blessed mother, who is the consolar of the afflicted, will surely assist you in a special way if you put yourself under her standard and special way. Oh, I should so like to, but I was afraid to ask, do you think I'm good enough? Indeed I do. But then I'm poor, and there are so many fine ladies in your sedality. Do you think they would care about me being with them?

38:39I don't know what you mean by fine ladies, answer Miss Dalton with some of acidity. If you mean women whose standard of leadership is the world's point of view, they're a none with us. But I have yet to find out that worldly culture and wealth can give us as perfect a lady as do the frequentation of the sacraments and the living of a good Catholic life. There are domestic and the sedality who have much better manners than their mistresses. In fact, the most vulgar people in the world, I will leave, are the rich people who have not got quite used to their riches. Sometimes I have thoughts in myself, I've often wondered that the women who school the conductors and make fossils on the streetcars are always finely dressed. I haven't Regina, money has brought in and developed the vulgarity, and they are sufficiently educated to give it expression in the Queen's English. But they get back to the sedality. Oh yes, I'll be delighted to join. I won it too long ago, but we were so poor, and poor Rose needed all we could earn, but now I think I can. Oh, don't bother about the money Regina,

39:45we prefer good sedalitists to good money. Though, of course, we need that too. Father McNichols doesn't want any deserving girl to stay without because she is poor. By the way, how are you getting on with the book on the ring? We want all the returns and by Monday. The raffle takes place in the following night. That's a fact. How careless and selfish I've been. I filled my book long ago, but my poor sister's death threw it out of my mind. Here, she added, pulling out the drive-th table and bringing there from a package neatly done up in white paper. Here's the book in the money. By the way, couldn't you give me another book? I want to work now. From now till Monday, I'll give all my spare time to getting chances. Oh, she broke out her eyes can linger. It is such a lovely ring. I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I still want to win it. You shall have another book tomorrow, Regina, and don't forget to come to the next meeting of the sedality. You shall be most welcome. Keep busy, Regina. Your sister is happy, and wants you to be

40:51content. I had Father McNichol say a mass for her yesterday. Regina had no words to thank Miss Dalton for this great kindness. The tears came to her eyes as she pressed the hands of her new friend. Miss Dalton left her weeping, but happier than she had been since the death of her sister. End of chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Putthai Love and Nigh Grace by Francis J. Finn S.J. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Terese. Chapter 5 It was the night of the raffle. On that occasion, the library hall of the young lady's sedality was uncomfortably crowded. The workers in the bazaar and their number was legion, were all present, and so were their friends and their friends, friends to about the fourth degree. The librarian,

41:51smiling and affable, was showing not without pride the treasures of the library to serve Report Lee Juntoman, one of whom, as his features indicated, was of Jewish blood. A whisper among the workers that he was as rich as Carices. That's the way it started, but by the time it had passed from one mouth to fifty, it was crepted into. He says, Rich is crazy. We're upon the uninitiated gaze on him fixately, many wondering whether he was as harmless as he appeared to be. Do the librarian know he was crazy? They asked themselves. Apparently she did not, for her easy ear, smiling and concern, in her light laugh, rich in cheerfulness, events that she was other really without fear. He doesn't look crazy. Regina was saying to the secretary of the sedality, crazy, I should think not return the official. He's a very good sensible man and has been one of the best friends of our bazaar, even if he is a Jew. By the way, do you know that you and he have done more to bring in money on the diamond ring that need to people in the city? Him and me

42:57cried Regina, the color rushing to her pale cheeks. Why, I didn't do anything to speak of. I just got three books filled. Yes, but all the same, your name is down for more chances than his, and he paid down cash for fifty in my presence, besides other chances I've heard he's taken. At this moment, the perfect of the sedality accompanied by the two assistants came over to her Regina was seated. Missed O'Connell, so the perfect. In the name of our sedality and the orphans, we wish to thank you for the work you have done and the interests of our raffle. If the road does more like you and our sedality, I think we should practically own the town. Thank you, Miss Dalton, said Regina, rising in some confusion. Her face, which a groom pale and want since we last saw her, flush violently. And I do hope, edit the first assistant kindly, that you may win it. And so do I, to the second assistant, her eyes beaming genually through her glasses. I'm sorry I can't agree with you, so the librarian actually pushed her way out to the group,

44:02along with the man who was rich as crazy. Here's my candidate for the ring, he wants it, and if he wins it, he intends to present us with fifty dollars for our library. Oh dear, Cri Regina, if that's the case, I, I, I almost help you win. And that may suggest an amendment, so the perfect. Mr. Fairweather, I propose that, in case you win or Mr. Regina O'Connell, you give the fifty dollars. You see, Mr. Fairweather, Regina has worked harder for that ring than anyone, and in a number of chances taken, she is your rival. Mr. Fairweather looked at Regina kindly and benevolently, he took him much for a story at a glance. Has she been the finest lady in the land, he could not have been more courteous. It is indeed a pleasure, he said, bowing, to meet arrival in such a cause, they are not the kind I usually meet, I am sorry to say. Miss Dalton, he went on. I'm obliged to you for the suggestion.

45:05I shall be delighted to give your library fifty dollars if I win, sixty dollars if misocon will be the lucky one. Oh my goodness, Cri Regina, I do hope things will go as I ought to. Mr. Fairweather, you are so good in kind that I will add another suggestion, in case neither of you win, we may count upon twenty-five dollars anyhow. May we not? What do you say to that, Miss Dalton, said Mr. Fairweather, smiling benevolently. It's a brilliant suggestion. The librarian laughed lightly, in guarded away. She knew that the matter was settled. Somewhat to Regina's dismay, the old gentleman seated himself beside her. Is he crazy? She asked herself. But even if you were not, it would be in our deal to make talk with a man whose daily income exceeded her entire earnings of a year. Presently, nevertheless, she found herself talking easily, frankly, about her sister, and all the circumstances of her lovely death. Next, she was listening intently to Mr. Fairweather,

46:09who despite a slight German accent spoke with a noble impressiveness. He was conversing about death and saying how much he wondered at the quiet, calm way in which could Catholics await the final summons. Had he been a priest, his sentiments would have been perfectly appropriate. Just then a heo old gentleman clapped his hands for silence. He was standing on a raised platform. Aw, that's Mr. Dalton. Mr. Mr. Fairweather, to Regina. What? The father of Mr. Dalton? Yes, and one of the finest men in town. If all your rich Catholics were like him, you wouldn't need bazaars. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Dalton was saying, I have the honor to announce to you that we are now going to find out to him the diamond ring belongs. We're going to go about it in this way. In this bag, here Mr. Dalton gravely held up a white sack upon whose chase surface they're shown out in blue characters. XXX, finest brand. In this bag are all the numbers taken by the various

47:11chance-takers. Out of this bag, the lucky number will be taken. The first, second, and third numbers will not count. No, the thirteenth number taken at will be the lucky one. Now we want a little boy, the little or the better, to take out the numbers and one man to read them out and another man to verify his reading. Mr. Fairweather couldn't chew. Excuse me if you please, Mr. Dalton, interrupt at Mr. Fairweather, but I hope to win that ring myself. Get someone who isn't quite so interested. A small boy into a man more presently secured. Mr. Dalton shook the sack energetically, then opening its mouth slightly, bathe the urchin thrust in his hand and bring forth one syllable of paper. The boy obeyed and gave this up to the announcer. Seventeen twenty-eight, he called. Seventeen twenty-eight cried the verifier. Again the bag was shaken. Seventeen nineteen eleven twenty-three eighty four forty-eight twenty-three ninety-eight nine

48:12four twenty-two thirty-one twelve twenty-one eleven eighteen twenty-one twenty-four thirty-five sixty eight thirty-two. Now ladies and gentlemen, Carvester Dalton in a loud voice, though he might have spoken in a whisper and meant heard, so tense with the silence. The next number is the winning number, may the one who gets it deserve it. Whereupon he began to shake the bag with comical violence. The laughing that followed suddenly changed to a groan as the mouth of the sack slipped in his hand and a number of tickets flew through the air and fell scattering upon the floor. The crab moved back and the workers were upon their knees at once recovering the precious slips. Seventeen said, was through the librarian and to the eel the kneeling prefect, while you're down there say a little prayer that Regina O'Connell may win, isn't she a dear little thing? We've all been praying for her, answered the perfect. Quickly the slips were recovered, quickly where they returned into the sack, and violently

49:17but with much more care than Mr Dalton's shake it for the last time. The boy took out a slip and handed it to the announcers. Number 306, ah, came voluntarily from the mouth of Mr Dalton. Number 306 announced Mr Dalton finding the corresponding stump in a book handed him, Mr. Regina O'Connell. At this there was tremendous applause. It's one of the ten chances that Father McNichols took for her whispered the perfect to the librarian. At the mention of her name, Regina Arroz, and stood in some embarrassment. We're upon Mr Fairweather with nightly courtesy, escorted her to the foot of the platform, and taking the ring from Mr Dalton handed it to the girl. Mr O'Connell, he said, I've been beaten before, but this is one of the few times in my life that I am glad to be worsted. I met another burst of applause, he conducted Regina back to her place, where she was forced to shake hands with and receive the congratulations of nearly all in attendance.

50:22Regina was very happy then. Why? Who can tell? She has set her heart on the ring, it had fascinated her. The desire of it had grown with each day, and that was her very own. And then, too, the kind words, the smiles, the sympathetic looks, of all these people, felt like bomb upon her innocent heart. For a time the girl wasn't heaven. She slipped the ring upon her finger and turned it this way in that, watching it changing splendors with all the light of a child. The poor girl was enjoying her first toy. She was aroused by the voice of Mr. Fairweather. Mr O'Connell, he was saying, in case you should ever wish to part with that ring. Oh, dear no! Interrupted Regina, never. Mr. Fairweather smiled. Very good, Mr O'Connell, but in case you should, call on me at any time. I am willing, or rather, I should be glad to pay you its market value, which is, I believe, $65. He

51:26was my car with my residence address. Thank you, sir. You are very good, but I don't think that I should care to sell my beautiful ring for even $100. I am very, very glad you like it so much, my dear young lady, Sothe old gentleman, and indeed his kindly face gave earnest that his feelings were at one with his words. Regina was about to acknowledge his gracious speech. We, Mr. Dalton again, clapped his hands and called the assembly to order. Ladies and gentlemen, he said, I take great pleasure in announcing to you that, in honor of this pleasant occasion, an occasion for once when the right prize goes to the right person. Mr. Roseman Autis, the gifted soprano, who also sneddy, delights to honor, has kindly considered to sing a solo. Mr. Dalton held his hand for silence. In the middle of the last love pause continued for nearly a minute. Ms. Autis, a tall handsome young lady, stations herself beside the piano and accompanied by the pianist of the occasion sang, May morning. The audience was so delighted that an encore was imperative.

52:31After a short delay, Ms. Autis sang, oh, believe me of all these endearing young charms. Oh, Carregina involuntarily, and putting her hand to her heart, then she addressed herself to listen. Regina had Irish blood in her veins and no person of Irish blood ever yet listened unmoved to this sweet melody. But to Regina it appealed, as, perhaps, it never yet appealed to any listener. Again, she was standing beside her dying sister. Again, she saw the dear face flush and the gentle eyes kindle under the inspiration of the poet's thought. Despite her endeavors, she could not restrain a sob and the tears rushed to her eyes and stained her wands cheeks. She hid her face in her handkerchief and listened with all her soul. Ms. Autis was at her best on that memorable night. She sang with a pathos which went to every heart. Presently, the weeping girl began to wonder where Ms. Autis could have got the verses.

53:33Regina wore them next to her heart. She has done them to no one save Rose. Here was a mister to be cleared. With an effort, she composed herself. Sir, she said the Mr. Fairweather, aren't they beautiful words? Very answered the old gentleman emphatically. I know who wrote them, sir. No doubt, no doubt, as such at Mr. Fairweather affably, everybody with Irish blood, nose and loves Tom Moore's Irish melodies, and a great many with no Irish blood at all. Myself, for instance. More! repeated Regina looking puzzled. Yes, why? What's the matter? My dear young lady. Of course you know the Tom Moore wrote them, as you said. Regina gave a gasp of pain. All the color had left her face. She rose nervously. But what's the matter, Miss O'Connell? Are you ill? Can't I do anything for you? No, no. I-I must leave it once. Excuse me, sir. I wish to be alone.

54:36Regina slipped from the hall and went she was on the staircase, landing outside. She gasped and grew faint and was obliged to lean against the wall for support. No tears came to her eyes. Her grief was beyond that. The moment of disillusionment had come, and it terrible, almost heartbreaking moment it was. Her love was gone forever. She had loved, not Tom, but her own false, linoleous conception of that very ordinary young man. But now the ideal had crumbled away, and she stood face to face in her mind's eye, with the real, a coarse, selfish, untruthful, weak-willed lover. Grief changed to rage. For the first time in many a long year, Regina was really angry. The great wave of indignant feeling which flooded her soul submerged her reason. She was beside herself. The weakness in the disney is for forgotten. She went down the steps quickly. Her eyes flashing, her bosom heaving, her bloodless lips sat together firmly. As she reached the sidewalk, a figure separated from a group of young men

55:42who were apparently loafers and came beside her. Mr. Tom betterly had been awaiting her. She could say nothing just then, but she turned upon him a look of contempt that should have warned him. But it would have taken something more powerful than any look to have warned Mr. Tom betterly on that occasion. Regina, he said, speaking with that difficulty in pronouncing clearly, which we sometimes notice, in those who have just come from the chair of a dentist. Regina, he continued, and there was a beastly light in his eye. I congratulate you. I heard you one diamond ring. Is that so? He saw it on her finger. Ah, is that right? They're opening his mouth. He were ca ca ca. It was a fearsome sound. Mr. Thomas was rejoicing after the manner of his kind when in his loooth tooth condition. He never before been quite so tipsy and Regina's presence. As with a mighty force of brazen mouth and iron lungs, he croaked for third call. He attempted

56:45to put his arm around her waist. Then his arm, as it touched the girl, and she drew back, remained fixed as though paralyzed. The blazing eyes of Regina had caught and almost sobered him. Go, she hissed. Go. I never want to see you again. You, you wretch. He stood there while she went on, and he knew that so far as she was concerned. It was all over with him forever. End of chapter 5 Chapter 6 of But That Love and Light Grace by Francis J. Fin. S.J. This lipper box recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Teresa. Chapter 6 The force of habit is something wonderful. Blinded with rage, carried away by her feelings, so that she was no longer a reasonable being. Regina never looked at her in the last turn when she came to the parish church and entered it. She had no intention whenever

57:49a stopping, no intention of entering. All the same, she did both. For years it had been her pious custom never to pass the church without paying a short visit to the prisoner of love, living his hidden life in the Tabernacle out of love for ungrateful men. When Regina came to realize where she was, she found herself kneeling and a peed for the nave before the statue of the meek and littlely savior, exposing to her and to all who visited him, his most sacred and adorable heart. Oh, why am I here? Why am I here?" she moaned. I cannot pray. I cannot look at him now. God helped me. Her feelings were an angry world. She was indeed beside herself. She could not collect her thoughts, she could not even kneel, and sank back upon the bench bearing her face in her hands. Oh, if she could but drive the black hatred and the black bitterness out of her heart. If she could but turn her thoughts from that awful disillusionment. No, no, it is impossible. I should not be able to pray again for a long, long time.

58:53Oh, God, I am a sinner. Do you think that I went to Holy Communion only yesterday? Oh, God, O Savior, have mercy upon me a sinner. It belongs to God, our Lord alone, sustaining gracious and spiritual exercises, to grant consolation to the soul without any proceeding cause for it, because it belongs to the creator alone to go in and out of the soul, to excite motions in it, attracting it entirely to the love of his divine majesty. I say without cause, that is, without any previous perception or knowledge of any object from which such consolation might come to the soul, by means of its own act of the understanding or will. This principle had never been expounded to poor Regina, but then and there she learned its truth experimentally. She fell upon her knees. Peace be still said Christ to the storm, and forthwith there was a great calm. Tears sprang to the girl's eyes, great tears of love and of peace. In her soul she saw our Lord

59:56and seeing him, her heart grew glad, and brave and strong, with the burning love himself heading kindled. After the storm had come the calm, after the darkness of great light, after sin and passion, pardon and peace, after hatred, love and forgiveness, after man, Christ himself. When Regina left the church half an hour later, her face was sweet and radiant. She had gone one step further in renunciation and had, with a fervor to her altogether new and wonderful, said that sacred prayer, take a Lord and receive my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will, whatever I have in possess, that has given me these things, a Lord. To the Lord do I return them, receive them, disposed of them according to the extent of I will. Give me but thy love and thy grace for these are sufficient for me. End of chapter 6

1:01:03Chapter 7 of, but thy love and thy grace, my frances, j.f.s.j. This lip of ox recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Teresa. Chapter 7 When Regina reached her room, she lighted the candle and composed herself to make her spiritual reading. For some weeks past, she had been reading, the life of St. Jean-Francestation Tal, by the Ebbibou God. Only the night before, she had come upon a pretty story of how Christ had almost literally forced a young girl to love him. She had been led onward by the path of renunciation. When Regina read it, the narrative had appealed to her as being pretty in touching, but now looking back it haunted her. She thought in her soul that she had not got out of it all the meaning, though there was, perhaps, in its a message for herself. She turned back a few pages and again, and with other eyes, read this account of the hard one's spouse of Christ. But of all whom the grace of God snatched from the world, in spite of themselves,

1:02:07none so obstinately resisted at first, or so generously submitted to in vanquished, as Marie Marguerite Macal. She belonged to a wealthy family of French Comte, and, like many other young girls, her danger light in her beauty, one night it seemed to her in sleep that a child clothed the white, perched, and scratched her face, saying, you will now be much more beautiful in the eyes of your spouse. Marie Marguerite awoke, screaming, and insisting that the skin of an torn from her face. Her mother, finding nothing that mattered with her face, treated her as a silly dreamer, and beta-go to sleep again. Two days later, Marguerite was attacked by the smallpox, and her face did, indeed, become disfigured. But she still possessed so many means of pleasing the world, and she was still so witty, lively, graceful, so accomplished, in every way, that she thought not of abandoning her life of pleasure and dissipation. One day, while resting after a grand ball,

1:03:07there suddenly appeared before her the same child that has scratched her face. He seemed irritated. You are going too far, he said, I know how to put a stop to the mad ex-travegance of your youth, and taking hold of her feet he crashed them so severely that she screamed aloud. Shortly after she fell on her to her foot, so seriously that, despite our amenities, she was lame for the rest of her life. On the fourth day after this accident, as she was crying and grieving, the child again appeared, with this time radiant with light. Marguerite was frightened and hit her head under the bed covering. I told you, said the child smiling, that I was succeed in putting a stop to the follies of your youth. Give your heart to God now, since your body is disfigured. Marguerite tried to obey. It was, in fact, upon the bed of pain, where she lay for six weeks that she learned to pray and that her soul began to relish heavenly things. Nature, however, was far

1:04:08from being conquered. One day, in the early part of her convalescence, she chanced to see herself in a mirror. Her disfigured face and crippled figure brought tears to her eyes. At the same instant, the child again appeared, holding a veil upon which the figure of Jesus dying was depicted. Ah, what is that, extreme Marguerite? It is the lover of your soul, answered the child. See to what love has reduced him. Marguerite's heart was touched by these words, and from that time, she loved her deformity, and when I would exchange it for all the advantages the world could offer, she went to St. Francis the sales, resolved to become a religious, but a little embarrassed because her family opposed to her design would not give her a dowry. All well, said the saint, if you have nothing, we want nothing. Offered these two things to God, and go to Mother Dishantel, that she may receive you for nothing. The holy founder has received her with joy, and the saintly bishop himself, dain to give her the habit. Her novitiate was noted for her sacrifices,

1:05:14and her life for the numerous and amruable foundations she conducted. St. Francis the sales used to say, aww, how well this cripple walks. The cripple indeed, governed the comments of ballet, de june, vassale, and aruné, found it those of bessanclan, doul, gray, salins, and salaire. Arrange the foundations of Freiburg, play solance, melan, and munique, pavaria. And if this cripple had lived longer, she would have carried the visitation to Canada. The simple girl, as she read these words, failed to make any comparison between herself and the high-born lady. And still, when she laid the book down, they came to her of a sudden, the thought that perhaps the diamond ring, which she still strangely loved, was not for her. It is all I have left, she murmured to herself, and she cased upon the twinkling splendor, the only toy that had ever brightened her life. Yet why should I give it up? The door opened slightly, and a voice without was heard to say,

1:06:18may I come in Regina? The girl started, then recovering herself, arose and answered, why certainly Mrs. Stevens, just look at what I've won. Mrs. Stevens entered, her pleasant smile right in the poor room. Oh, isn't it beautiful, J. exclaimed, catching Regina's finger, and so you won it, after all. Yes, I was very lucky, wasn't I? Yes, my dear, and I'm so glad you won it. I hope that it will bring a little more joy and pleasure into your life. I often envy you, Mrs. Stevens. You were always so cheerful and lighthearted, and when Rose died, you did so much for me without knowing it by your pleasant ways. You was always like sunshine when you came into my room, and Regina broke off in the middle of her sentence. Mrs. Stevens is suddenly sunken to a chair, and all of a sunshine and brightness were gone. Why, why, what's the matter? For answer Mrs. Stevens began to sob.

1:07:22Dear dear, I didn't say anything to her true feelings, did I? But the sobbing woman was unable to make any reply. Regina waited in distress till the first violent emotion had subsided. Surely Mrs. Stevens, I have said nothing to hurt you, have I? The woman wiped her eyes, and for a few seconds, her handkerchief over her face. When she looked up again, she wore her calm, smiling expression as before. Excuse me, she said. I'm a bit nervous tonight. Please don't mind what's just happened, Regina. I, I lost control of myself. Regina meanwhile had been closely scanning the other's features. For the first time, she perceived that Mrs. Stevens's smile was a mask. There were lines of care and suffering upon the cheeks and an expression almost of agony lurking in the eyes. Mrs. Stevens, she said, putting her arm around the woman's neck. Please tell me the truth, you have

1:08:25some great trouble. Mrs. Stevens melted into the kindness. Again, her features twitched convulsively. Again, she broken the sobbs. Don't cry, please, sub Regina gently. I'm half starved, said the woman abruptly. What? And my sixth son is going into typhoid. I believe, and the older boys out of work, and the children have eaten the last bite we have. Dear, dear, card Regina. I spent my last scent today. I'm afraid to call for a doctor. There's nothing coming. Oh, why didn't God take me when he took my husband? Regina, I shall go mad. No, no. Don't speak that way, please. When the shops open again in a few weeks, my boy will be working, but it will be too late unless I go begging. I pond everything that will sell. Please take this, said Regina, you can't refuse it, and get your little ones in yourself something to eat.

1:09:29Regina held out a dollar to the woman who first drank from it, then clutched it. Oh, so greedily, the truth of her story was evidence in the act. God bless you, but it's hard to take it. Goodbye, my dear. When Mrs. Stevens had gone, Regina put on her wraps and hastened down the stairs. She took off the diamond ring in her descent, sighing as she did so. It was hers no longer. End of chapter 7 Chapter 8 of But I love and like grace by Francis J. Fennas J. This liberal box recording is in the public domain, recording by Maria Teresa. Chapter 8 Mr. Fairweather, seated at his desk in the library of his house, was not a little astonished when the maid informed him that a young lady wished to see him. One moment, he said, and finished the

1:10:32letter he was writing. Now please show her in, he resumed. Suppressing his surprise when Regina O'Connell entered, he arose and greeted her cordially. You are welcome, he said with his engaging smile. You must excuse me, sir, for coming at such an hour of the night, but I thought I ought to come. Sir, I want to sell that diamond ring at once. I have need for the money. Regina had no intention of telling him for what purpose the money was needed, but yielding gradually to the kind manner of the old gentleman, she told the whole story. Misokano, he said, I will buy the ring and pay for it too, on two conditions. Yes, sir, said Regina interrogatively. The first is that you keep three force of the money for yourself. Regina was about to object. Now listen, the second is that you allow me to help you in this work of real charity. Oh, thank you, sir, I shall never forget your kindness. Mr.

1:11:37Fairwater Press and Electric Button, get the carriage at once, he said to the answering made. I will see to the doctor he went on, in that other voice I'll have work within a week. If I have to create a job for him. And now he added taking out a pocketbook, I think I can pay you in cash. Oh, yes, he went on as he passed the number bill through his fingers. Here we are, 520s. That's all right, isn't it? It did not occur to Regina in her excitement that 520s were equal to $100. Yes, sir, I'm sure it is all right. Very good, give one of those 20s to Mrs. Stevens, my dear young lady, and keep the rest for yourself against the rainy day. Thank you, sir, you are so good, I hope I have not disturbed you. Not at all, not at all, and now we see it for a moment and excuse me while I go to the telephone. I shall come back presently. He was gone for several minutes, when he returned, he said, my doctor will visit

1:12:41this sick boy at once, and now my dear young lady, you look very pale and tired. Is there anything I could offer you a cup of coffee or or no, thank you, sir, I am not used to taking anything at night. The carriage is ready, sir, announced the maid. Very good, Miss O'Connell, it is late for you to be out alone, you must go home in my carriage. Regina could say nothing. Goodbye, he said a moment later, as he helped her into the carriage. I am very glad to have met you, indeed. Please deprive for an old sinner. It was Regina's first carriage ride. End of chapter 8 Chapter 9 of But The Love in Light Grace by Francis J. Phenash J. This liver box recording is in the public domain, according by Maria Teresa. Chapter 9

1:13:43Regina started blithely up the parrots stairs that led to her rooms, but her pace became perceptibly slower, as she neared the first landing. Unreaching it, she paused to get her breath. As she stood there, all the events of the last few hours came back in a panorama. The crowd, the lights, the winning of the ring, the loss of her lover, the visit to the church, the spirit to reading, Miss Steven's story, the interview with Mr. Fairweather, her first carried dried. And now the ring was gone, her first and last toy. Dear dear, she gasped. It seemed the ears since I won that ring. Years and years since I left the hall, I must have lived half my life tonight. And indeed she had. Then she toil painfully, laboriously up to the next landing where she paused again. Regina was utterly worn out. It was in very truth a long, long time since she won the diamond ring, and she needed rest sorely,

1:14:46sorely. She started up to the last landing, when having made but a few steps, she was seized with a violent fit of coughing. When she took her handkerchief from her lips, it was stained with blood. She looked at it in the dim light, and suddenly grew very faint and dizzy. She swayed and tottered. Hello, credit voice at her ear, though to her it sounded far away. What's the matter, my girl? Let me help you. The man, apparently a doctor, who thus addressed her, was on his way downstairs, and reached the fainting girl in time to prevent her from falling. With little difficulty, she was very light. He helped her up to her room. Mrs. Stevens, who had heard them without, showed him the way. Here, here, Cypagina faintly reaching out her hand to Mrs. Stevens. It was a $20 bill. The doctor meanwhile had taken Regina's handkerchief and brought it over to the light.

1:15:48Arturial, he remembered to himself. He approached the bad upon which Mrs. Stevens and laid Regina and made her hurried to be careful examination of the new patient. Is she very ill? Ask Mrs. Stevens. I should say that in all probability she has been very ill for many months. And so this is the girl who won the diamond. How did you know that, sir? I'm not sure, Mrs. Stevens. Mr. Fair, whether telephone me the whole thing. The ring is gone, Mrs. Stevens observed. The doctor glanced at Regina. Her eyes were closed. She seemed to be asleep. Yes, it is gone, he sent it, but she will never need it for child. But Regina was not asleep. She heard every word, and she understood. Yes, she would never need it. Then her heart rose to her best beloved, to him who had brought her safely along with thorny path.

1:16:49Give me what I love in thy grace, she whispered, for these are sufficient for me. But I love in thy grace, but I love in thy grace. And she received his love in his grace, and in the receiving her heart throbbed with a bliss seldom known upon earth, for his love and his grace were indeed sufficient. End of chapter 9 End of, but thy love and thy grace, my Francis J. Ph.S.J.