"
"There is a legend," said Manuel, "which tells how a poor girl who
has lost every human creature she loved on earth, had a rose-tree
she was fond of, and every day she found upon it just one bloom. And
though she longed to gather the flower for herself she would not do
so, but always placed it before the picture of the Christ. And God
saw her do this, as He sees everything. At last, quite suddenly she
died, and when she found herself in Heaven, there were such crowds
and crowds of angels about her that she was bewildered, and could
not find her way. All at once she saw a pathway edged with roses
before her, and one of the angels said, 'These are all the roses you
gave to our Lord on earth, and He has made them into a pathway for
you which will lead you straight to those you love!' And so with
great joy she followed the windings of the path, seeing her roses
blossoming all the way, and she found all those whom she had loved
and lost on earth waiting to welcome her at the end!"
"A pretty fancy," said the Cardinal smiling, "And, as not even a
thought is wasted, who knows if it might not prove true?"
"Surely the beautiful must be the true always!" said Manuel.
"Not so, my child,--a fair face may hide an evil soul.
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