The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-29

Ny heart has been so pSsa,d, 90 fun Of bite
| anger and hatred, that Thought nothing cOula
ever again soften it that tear was q dew irol
from heaven. A few moments since fanciet
you were my mother, for your hand lay upon M.
head just as hers did whom she used to come
night after night, and bless me; just as it die
the night before I left her. o sister do no
| let me lie in your arms, you 30 good, and
have been 80 wicked and sinful"
"Nay, rest here; none are SO sinfnl but ther,
is love and mercy left for them"
"Ms.sy can oS dare hope s for
| now rest"
!" And do you promise never to leave mo til
die = Say, win you stay with me"
81 will indeed do all can for the present
must 60 Will you let me put this around your
Ut was = medal of the immaculate Conception
"Yes," she replied and took it with o trem
Are You q Catholicf" asked, startled b,
| the haste with which she seized it,
Il am, sister," and then burning blush cam.
over her face. 81 am, but y guilty, ungratefu
one"
"Then will you say some short prayers, while
go and visit my other patients |"
81 will, but it is long since have said 1
prayer"
her weeping bitterly. She took my hand ane
kissed it. 1 tried to quiet her excessive grief
l said, 6 Do not cry, my child. Tell me- can
name is sister Magdalen; whatshall call you p
She looked up with q sad face, and replied, .Ms
Ename is Evab 'sWell, then, Eva, ie comforted
k3f you have sinned, there is mercy and hope 70,
you; if you are unhappy, there is comfort
Look at this ;" and gave her my crucifix.
ssdoes not this teach you to love and hope
There was no answer, nothing but bitter sobs
taking Eva's hand, was about to speak, wheI
| she said, "Sister, sister, when am better, and
have strength to talk, l will tell you my his
| tory, and you shall teach me to be better
S1o a,foa tS he
| ill that we thought she must die; but God 81
| willed it that she began to improve, and, a
last, was able to speak and think rationale,
the rosary while she slept, when, looking sud
denly Mt her, found her eyes open, and fixed
upon me intently.
you my history; it is very sad one have
sinned and suffered-win you hear me. "
with pleasure, because when understand
YOU, can the better help you"
And as she told it to me, 1 here give it.
CHAPTER II.
IL need not trouble you with the history Of
my childhood; it was spent alone with my dear
mother. in pleasant little village Bristol
and was very happy and innocent one. My
father died before was born, but he left an
ample fortune to my mother. 1 was her sole
care and treasure next to me she loved and
cared for orr little church. The mission in our
village WAS but poor one; my mother was its
chief support. To our caro- was given the
used to spend hours in dressing the altar and
arranging the flowers. The memory of those
hours has never died it has lived with me
ever and even amid scenes of vanity and pas
sion, it has hung about me like the fragrance
of flower
"My mother was the sweetest and most
gentle of women the early loss of her hus-
Oand gave her q shock from which she never
recovered and she made resolution at his
death to devote her whole life to my education
and to works of charity. Icannot think of her
without tears she was so patient and good,
aor did I ever hear one unkind or hasty word
frGm her. ---.--- -=tt-
NI grew up well SKI He'd in all the accomplish
ments my mother loved and taught. One was
passienately fond of, and that was painting. 1
had talent for it, and q cultivated taste.
Imagine, sister, tho course of streamlet,
with scarcely ripple upon it, glittering in the
bright sunlight, ever flowing calmly and gently,
and you have perfect image of my childhood.
This lasted until I was sixteen. A few
days after my birthday, letter came from my
mothers agent. a solicitor in London, request
ing her immediate presence. Not liking to
leave me behind lest should be dull, my
mother offered to take with her. 4 was
oyereyeG at the proposal. London was a dis
tant fairyland to me, and / knew no rest or
peace until we started We were to stay at
Mr.. Clinton's, q distant relative of my fathers,
who kindly offered US the use of his house. He
was married, but his wife was dead and he had
enc only daughter, with whom soon became
Intimately acquainted. Bella Clinton an
elegant girl and foremost among the leaders of
fashion 1 had not been there long before
began to blush for my country dresses, and
tonished my gentle, yielding mother by the
extravaganza demands made upon her purse.
Ali there learned the fatal truth that was
gifted with beauty. had heard strangers say
at home, What q handsome child! how like
her father; but never realized the fact until
stood ready dressed for my first ball, where
Bella had persuaded my mother to accompany
US. ----~
Bella had chosen for robe of pale pink
satin and a 9ich lace skirt; she twfned pale
pink flowers in my long black hair, and golden
bracelets around my arms, and then led me to
her mirror, and said, Il am almest jealous,
Evap Ali the face pictured there was very
fair, the eyes were flashing with light, the
and arms shamed even the pearls that cleaned
upon them. Beautiful, bright, and sparkling
the picture was; but would to heaven had
died IS stood there, fo- then isiio1e1it
and pood -a-----f