Part 22 (1/2)

”Darling Papa you will come to me when Our Lord calls you. I know you love Him. Father Leonard will show you the true way to reach Heaven; O promise me you will follow it.”

”My angel child,” responded the father, ”I solemnly promise.” His sobs choked his utterance, but kneeling and taking his child's hand he kissed it fervently.

Exhausted by her efforts, she lay silent awhile, then turning to Bolax, she said: ”Dear little Brother, never forget the promises you made to Our Lord the day of your First Holy Communion. Oh, serve Him faithfully that you may meet me in Paradise.

”Dearest Aunt Lucy, I thank you for all your years of kindness and love; oh, I know you will be there to rejoice with me.

”And Hetty dear! let me kiss the hand that nursed and tended me so faithfully.”

Hetty's grief was becoming uncontrollable, so she hastened from the room lest she should unnerve the rest of the family.

Poor old Pat was not forgotten, when called to bid farewell, he managed to control himself while he knelt asking the dear child's blessing.

Here Reverend Father Leonard entered the room. Mrs. Allen lit the candles on the little altar at the foot of the bed; all withdrew for a few moments leaving Amy alone with the Priest.

When the Father was ready to administer the Holy Viatic.u.m, every one returned to the room, each bearing a lighted candle, knelt in prayer.

After receiving Our Dear Lord, the child's face became radiant; a heavenly smile lit up her countenance, she murmured: ”Jesus, precious Jesus; how I love Thee! and yet--how unworthy I am!” Here she held out her hands as if beckoning to some one. ”O my beloved! take me to Thyself! Jes--” The lips ceased their utterance with the sweet name half spoken. One long-drawn sigh and another angel was added to the innumerable company of the Blessed. The days that followed Amy's death were to the household painful in the extreme.

Mr. Allen was overwhelmed with grief. It was useless to try to speak to him; for two days he shut himself in his room and the Doctor could scarcely persuade him to take nourishment.

Mrs. Allen was resigned to G.o.d's will, although her heart was crushed with sorrow.

Kind neighbors came offering condolence, indeed the family had the sympathy of the whole village.

Reverend Mother Gertrude sent a letter by two of her Sisters reminding Mrs. Allen of Amy's desire to be buried under the Bed of Lilies.

”We are sure now,” said the Sisters, ”the dear child had a presentment of her approaching departure from this world, so Reverend Mother begs you will have the funeral from our Chapel and let the dear one rest under the Lilies of the Valley.”

Reverend Father Leonard was consulted as to the advisability of accepting Mother Gertrude's gracious offer; Mrs. Allen feared her pastor might wish the funeral to take place in the parish church. ”On the contrary,” said the good priest, ”I think no resting place could be more fitting for such a child than a grave where the rays of the Sanctuary Lamp s.h.i.+ne out upon it through the Church windows. I shall go to St.

Imelda's and ask to be allowed to celebrate the Ma.s.s, which must be what we call the 'Ma.s.s of the Angels.'”

The funeral was announced for Thursday morning, carriages were to leave the house at half-past eight, so as to reach the Convent in time for the services at half-past nine. The Chapel was draped in white, all the flowers and ornaments on the altar and the vestments were white.

[Ill.u.s.tration: AUNT LUCY.]

Professor Renaldi's pupils, who were in the same cla.s.s as Amy, presented a beautiful harp of white rosebuds, with the word ”Love” formed of Forget-Me-Nots woven across the strings.

The Chapel could scarcely contain the number of people who came to pay a last tribute of love to the dear child.

The gates of the Sanctuary were left open and the casket placed in front of the altar as near the rail as possible.

During the Ma.s.s the music was almost joyous. Reverend Mother ordered this expressly so that the bereaved parents might be soothed in their grief.

Six little girls dressed in white walked beside the casket as it was borne to the grave, and now our dear, our beloved one sleeps under the Lilies, emblematic of her own pure soul.

FUNERAL SERMON.