The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-16
AImEEs hcrR1FIcE.
q TALE.
CHAPTER ~.

Every now and again Aimee understood that
= she, though not directly named, formed the sub
ject of convs;sation between the two partners.
She vas in so.iieyTay connected with the return
of .t1sobert,' tho,iish who Robert was, or w1rfe
he VAS coIaing from; she had not the slightest
conception, aid she felt too weary at Keart to
indulge. curiosity. Christmas Game, and
poor Aimee's heart was sore indeed. At such a
period the happiest family has>somo sad men,
ories-there some vacant places at tho
. board some voices whose>tone we listen for in
vain; but with AimeD>What . change since last
=ysarl~She could pst but think OF the midnight
Mass, the gltfIyrfng Of the villagers, the sky
radiant witl>stars, her mothers kiss, the cnrc's
blessing; how, luter in the day, she had waited
on tho p6or and gladdened many heart, aud
how>she had trimmed the church's arches with
hslfy, and how she had dressed the creche. Now
there were no such delights for her; still she
drove back her tears She thought of her mo-
theirs Christmas in Hesven, really singing the
angelic song And in thedingy London chapel
q few holly berries were glistening, and upon
tho altar the same. Lord, the same Friend
and Comforter; and Aimee, as she walked
home through the streets, when fog was be
ginning to tura to rain and when every object
looked dirty brown color, felt in her heart that
she possessed the greatest blessing the festival
could brng-pcace Of heart.
She dreaded tho dinner because she feared
Mr.. Hume would be present; but on entering
the drawing-room she found to her surprise IA
gentleman whom she had never seen before. He
WAS lying back iii ono of the easy chairs, IA
newspaper in his hands, as if quite at home. On
her entrance he sprang to his feet, and Aimee
saw he was a young man about tvc-and twenty,
with II fair, open countenance beaming with
good huInor ami Cheeriulness.i
Miss Morton, presume. Allow mo to intro
ducc myself, as there is no ono at hand to per
form the ceremony. l am Robert Clayton, al
your service, nephew 10 the redoubtfnl Mr.
Hulme. am not vain enough to suppose he has
talked of me my absence"
"Ihave heard Lin speak of some one called
Robert" said Aimee, smiling.
81 have heesin Holland these three months
he replied, ION business of the firm, and only
returned last N. ,ht.'
The entrance of Mt. Morton and Mr. lIulm,
y put stop to the conversation; but Aimee sooI
found that dinner was q very different matte
in presence OF the new guest.
Mr.. Aulrnc was in the. highest good humor
Mr.. Morton less icy than usual while Robertl
flow ui .rits seemed inezhaustibie. All thu
little incidents of an ordinary journey from
- Hamburg u LondoQ were told IN such man
as 10 make them amusing; and when Alme
went to he'll that night, she felt as if a ray o
suushine had suddenly lightened her life. Sai.
shine, indeed, was tie word that could best OK
press the effect produced by Robert Ctayd1n'
presence. There sunshine in hisNlaughint
blue eyes, in Hrs merry SMILE in his joyonsy voice
Having learned the secret OF personal happiness
his one desire to make others happy, anf
morUee indeed We're the natures he did not glad
den; and Aimee coon found that he was not only
- bright and genial, but noble In character anr
heart. =
Mr.. Hnlme had long intended to make Rober
his heir, h;id since the arrival of Aimee, TIL,
partners had formed the scheme of marry ny he
to Robert, and thus keeping the property of iii,
firm intact. Her Wishes itr the>inatter the old
men little thought OF, nor were Roberts mnci
considerd, excei': chat they each knew too wei
Robert would not he ShctatS ii IL in SO imp tant
Il matter ~ the choice ota wife.
1t was huwcycr, not long after his return t.
England thac the :. firm intimated the fttr1or'
of their august Kill to Robert.
..Tifs= course of true love never did run
smooth" was his smiling answer. " This little
Aimee is. Lbolcvo, the very ideal have inr
agined to myself for wife, and by all laws OF
romance, you, Uur>rcsPccted uncles ought to
forbiA the match, or cut ms off with n shilling
instead of actually urging on; but now, re-
members adlcd he, "a fair field, or am off the
bargain. No using of commands to the poor
little maiden. VIII win her on my own merits