Good Counsel High School - Counselor Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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DREAMS - Continued Ruth was eighteen, and well grounded in her Faith, then she would be allowed to go to her grandfather. Below the signature was written faintly: 0h! Mary Ruth, my darling, go to him,-teach him our Faith-make up to him for the pain I have unwillingly caused the dearest man in all the world, next to Jack. Do as he wishes in all that is right. Love him for my sake, my little Mary Ruth. Your loving Mother. Nothing but that sad little plea could move Mary Ruth to surrender her cher- ished dream of becoming God's own spouse. And so she went, this brave little girl, to obey the wish of her dying mother. However, the tears of pure joy in Mr. Bally's dim old eyes made up in part for her sacrifice. Her mother smiled down on her from the wall, and though her father's picture was absent, she sensed his helpful presence. She dared not approach the subject of religion, he would have none of it, in fact, he hardly agreed in allowing her to practice it herself. But in this she was firm, and he had to yield. Years passed, quickly. One year faded into five-into ten- into fifteen-into twenty. At thirty-eight, Mary Ruth had plentiful amount of silver in her chestnut hair, her smile was grim and seldom. In a winter's twilight, when the leaden sky reflected her own mood, and life seemed drab and dreary as her inner world, she sat buried deep in thought. She saw upon the screen of her thought, her parents dreaming a life of usefulness to- gether. She saw her grandfather who had dreamed of a reconciliation with his daughter. Also, Mr. Meredyth who dreamed of riches for his little girl, Merlyn dreaming of the reunion of her parents in heaven, finally, she caught a glimpse of herself dreaming of life for God alone. Yet most of these dreamers, had longed and dreamed in vain! Many have gone to the Valley of Silence. Her grandfather was happy with her. Oh! only she was left alone. Was it fair? She almost screamed the word. Fair! the silent room re-echoed it. The still cold air took it up and passed it on to the white-robed trees, to the frozen rivers, to the snowy gatrtdens. Fair! Fair! Was not anything that God decided, fair? Who was the greatest fulfiller of all dreams? Who longed for His people to love Him? Who died that they might live? With bowed head and downcast eyes, Mary Ruth whispered to herself fully recon- ciled, Lord, Thy Will Be Done! Bernice Kovalik, '32. - 3:32 - W ai :AQQ I4 I-.. - ...I X Trzrrwm. ..... 1.1.1. .... .... 7.,:::i:r. .... :..:.:.q ....A . YN Page Thirty nine Nw U

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,,! DREAMS - Continued One night, Mary Ruth was awakened by soft but heart-rendering sobs which seemed to be issuing from the children's dormitory. Mary Ruth listened, trying to find out who was sobbing. She knew Amy, Jane, Joan and Lizzie possessed a whole- some fear of the dark ami sometimes their shouts awakened the entire household. However, these sobs seemed unlike the other children's cries, so slipping on a robe and. slippers, she entered the darkened room. A flood of liquid gold fell across the room. By the colored' curtained window, Mary Buth spied a sweet fairy child. Eyes of deepest somberest black were set far apart in the white pale face. A shower of soft golden ringlets formed a halo for the bent, tear-stained face. The transparent hands were clasped tightly over a yellow aged prayer book, while the scarlet lips moved tremblingly. Mary Ru-th stepped back, startled at the strange, yet sad beauty of the child before her. The little fairy-girl turnedg Mary Buth saw that the gentle face was tear-stained and swollen. The black eyes held a world of mute longilig-Without another word they were clasped in each others arms-the child crying. Oh! Girls! my dear dad- dy and mamma are gone to heaven? The little girl's name was Merlyn Meredyth. Bit by bit, Mary Ruth found Merlyn's story. Mr. Meredyth was a wealthy Wall St. Broker. He had millions at his disposal, grand winter and summer homes, numerous servants, every luxury. His small daughter was the dearest treasure in the world to him. For her sake, he earned his money to bestow on her everything life could offer. But, all was wiped out. The tragedy of it killed him. So, this child of luxury- Merlyn-was bereft of every advantage at one foul stroke. Accustomed to riches, pining for her parents, lost, alone, and forsaken, little Merlyn faded and drooped. She became thinner, her eyes shone too brightly, her cheeks glowed too rosily, her lips were too crimson. Slowly, Mary Ruth watched the little bud' wither, and, at last, one autumn day, little Merlyn bade a last farewell to her dear, darling Mary Ruth, and with white arms clasped lovingly around her, and burning lips held close to the cool trembling ones, the little life faded. After the last breath was drawn, Mary Ruth vowed to devote her life to the care of others -to keep faith with the pure young flower who was cven now blossoming at Jesus's feet. She renounced riches and worldly pleasures at the throne of Jesus in Heaven. The years passed quickly and soon Mary Ruth's eighteenth birthday approached. Strangely, she evidenced no curiosity in regard to the desire 'or wish to know her identity. Sufficient it was, that she would soon be numbered among God's chosen few, to have a place in His Garden, to share in His blessings. Her youthful desire to become rich has faded with the life of Merlyn Meredyth. She had seen the sor- row' money could bring,-in fact, she hated wealth. However, one May evening, when the spell of Spring lay over the quiet convent, she heard the contents of the mysterious envelope. Trembling, she listened to her story written by her mother's trembling hand. May I be forgiven, but I had to do it. This sentence was written in shaky letters, as though the writer's very soul was torn. Then followed the statements which explained Mary Ruth's'identity. Her grandfather was the millionaire Bally from Long Island. Mr. Bally, Mary Ruth's mother's father was a non-catholic who disowned his daughter, when she had mar- ried a young catholic lawyer. Her conversion was the last straw. He hated his girl's husband fiercely, and vowed vengeance. XVhen Mary Ruth was born, he wished to adopt her, for her father was very very poor. But Mrs. Raymond, know- ing that her baby would not be brought up in the true Faith, refused. When Mary Page Thirty-eight F M' M 5'il 3 S ' lliif I H 'Ulm C 0 UN S EL 0 1k,1931

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,,.g'U!taCoUNsBLoP.1931 it MEMORIES Memories of youth may fade away Memories of childhood's glee and play, Memories of kindergarten class, Or of some fair haired blue-eyed lass. The fire of youth may flicker and die, And old age creep on by and hy. No matter when or where I'l1 be, I'll cherish the memories of Old G. C. Angela Witowska '32 OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL Feast Day April 26 O thou, who art by anxious fears perplexed, Draw near to her whotvigil keeps for thee And say, with heart by doubting oft-time vexed, Dear Lady of Good Counsel, pray for me. Then wilt thou find the guidance long desired, Then wilt thou know the joy that others shareg Then wilt thou sing with fervor, love-inspired, The praise of her who holds thee in her care. No stranger she to faults of sinful man, Since for them all her Son paid cruel price, And waits she not, as but a mother can, To bless each life, with help and good advice? 0 guardian sweet, while words indeed are weak To voice the love my heart bears unto thee, Still, when thy name my lips no more can speak, Dear Lady of Good Counsel, pray for me! -Amadeus. TO OUR SCHO-OLMATES To all our beloved schoolmates, Our group this little poem dedicates, Requesting you to remain happy and gay And keep all sorrow away. Your kindness and good cheer Has made you ever dear. So we wish to thank you before we depart, For each and everyone's loving heart, So farewell, dear schoolmates we say, Farewell and God Bless You on this parting day. Sophia Tymczyszyn '31 Page Forty