The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-11-22
rms-Four Dollars Per Annum, in Advance.
NUMBER AZ.

"Have you then forgotten the skull found
in the crypt at the picnic party Z"
"By no means. The initials of the abbey
on the box are proof enough Of its being q
relic of the old times.n
"The initials They are my fathers, too, -
replied Ellen with O shudder.
''H. c. L.-Holy Cross of Lucca-Henry
Charles Leyland. True, they are. A mere
coincidence, that probably suggested the
atrocious forgery to your uncle"
"Let me tell you all, dear. 1t must be
told, and it is deep pain to inger on it."
"PardOn me, dearest. l hoped to give
you comfort; but l will say no more till II
know ALL"
"You remember uncle John gave it to Mr..
Wren for his collection of curiosities at the
rectory7 He brought it back yesterday,
about an hour after your angry parting
with uncle. lie had found a false bottom
to the box, and in it n broken penknife
with silver plate, with my fathers name
i'll full upon it. cannot tell you all that
happened. Uncle gave me the knife and
papers; think l must have gone mad on
reading that horrible story, for was like
child in their hands. To save his mem
DRY, rather than haye it. loaded with such
| infamy, l promised what they would. Mr.,
Wren, know, would not deceive me. He
too, strongly urged me to consent, as the
only possible way of saving the honor of
the family. 1 offered to give the estates to
my uncle, but it seems 1 cannot. There
was no other way but marrying cousin
John, and in my agony l consented. O.,
Lionel, think what I have suffered, and
forgive me-"
gel of truth. Do not think SO ill of me as
to suppose love you less for your devoted
ness to your fathers memory and your
mothers honor" returned Lionel, pressing
her foDdly to his heart.
After brief silence she resumed:
"Mr. Wren engaged to get the license. I
WAS to be married this morning Mt nine. I
pleaded earnestly for delay, at least till
could send for mamma from Lady Wins
lows; but uncle was memorable, and was
too weak to resist. But when was alone
in my room all the horror of my position
came upon me. To marry John, to deserve
your hatred and contempt"
"You could not think that, my Nell put
in Audley.
"YOu would never have known the cause,
for, once married, l must have been silent.
1 could not bear it. AS my reason return
ed, the more strongly rose my dread and
horror of the fate before me. I determined
ed of battling any search that might be
made for me. They would never dream of
my coming to your old nurse, Mrs. Warner,
whom had only seen once or twice in my
life; and it is SO long since Ralph left my
fathers service that nobody would think of
him"
''But how did you get the horse see
it is old Trajan-but to get the keys 7"
"There was no need. Since summer be-
gan he has been pastured in the abbey. He
has never had any regular work since papa's
death, You know. But the day before yes
terday freak took me to ride him around
the park, and the saddle and bride were
left under the cloister by Baker, who had
just got orders to drive mamma to Lady
Wimslow's as l returned, and whom l had
kept waiting in the ruins till he was peev-
ish, as well as in haste. He alone knew of
my ride on the dear old horse, which would
not be missed. They will suppose l left
on foot, and seek me at the stations, per-
haps at Lady Wilmslow's. L thought of
that, and Jeff note on my dressing-ta
for mamma, SO that she may know am
SAFE
'Your uncle will open it. But let him
lie shall not take you from me-
''No, Lionel; though he is cold and
selfish man, he is not SO lost to the feelings
of gentleman, as to break seal"
Lionel did not answer for some moments.
81 do not understand Wren's share in
the matter" he said ut last. 'sHe is thor
oughly honorable man, and John Leyland
cannot have bribed him."
"Impossible, Lionel, quite impossible"
eyes, it is; but he is a great ass, too. He
has been duped, rely upon it. Have your
permission to consult friendf You know
him-Needham."
------.--- ITO be COntinued.l