The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-23

CeHueily as husband ever loved wife,
men Providence pity us!" the old man
bachelor. If she was false, can have no
faith in woman evcrmore. However. leave
r rae VIII with me, and 1 shall have it duly
lady and gentleman were seated on n
lounge in an humble room. The girl vas
fa!r and bright, with doye-like ewes onii
Iair' curing tresses. The gentleman was
1all, vigorous, and manly-iooking. The
were conversing in low and almost wh;sy,
Pered tones, for her head leant unon his
waist. sienoef
=" cannot believe it," she said father.
was always SO kind and tender to me that
i cannot conceive he could be SO cruel as to
leave me penniless." w
As 1T is SO, love-" the gentleman an
swered, there is no help for il. With I mo
you shall have home and shelter: and hand
III hand we shall face the battle of life TO-
gether." W.
"But is it not most unjust, she said, "that.
~ ~ mo beginning OF your career l should
hamper You as a penniless girl ?"
Darling" was the response, "you will
oe a help to me, not an impediment. Your
love shall encourage me to struggle on. and
With you by my side am sure to succeed >,
She nestled closer to him, and said:
you Will it, dear, l cannot refuse to
be your wife," W
How tenderly he embraced her! How
passionate was the kiss he imprinted on her
lips! And so they talked, the moments
steaiing bllssfully away, until at last the
gentleman remarked, pointing across the
room:
What quaint old desk that is on
yOnder table!'
81 was my fathers" she answered. cit
is 1ull OF letters and papers of little in
terest; but there is secret drawer in it
which i'll vain have tried to Openn
q M fry 1,, u
the old man secreted something there,
Lizzy.'
They rose and walked across to tha.taaae.
Perhaps" she said, " you are wfe3zSad
will discover the trick of opening it.''
He opened the desk and examined it
closely, but could find no means of opening
the drawer-when suddenly a thought
struck him, and he said:
81 have seen something of this kind be-
fore; l am positive the spring is under the
nk-bottle."
He took the bottle up and pressed his
thumb upon a minute brass knob that lay
beneath 1T, when instantly a secret drawer
shot out, revealing folded paper, which
he seized at once, opened, and hastily
scanned.
said; "for this is your fathers will, duly
signed and witnessed. The date shows
that the eccentric old man must have
written it the day before he was stricken
down SO suddenly. Put on your bonnet
and come at once to Gaythorn's.n
The aged lawyer and his client were still
>in conversation, when the door of his office.
was suddenly opened, and lady and gem
tleman> entered, in somewhat excited
manner. >The~ client started to his feet.
Old Gaythorn, holding the document in his
hand, merely looked round inquiringly and
said:
"What ia it, Miss Marlv9 What 10 -
Mr.. Flood ~
"This," said the gentleman, drawing his
fair companion forward and putting, paper
in the old mans hand. 1t was eagerly
opened and as eagerly read.
81 thought So" Gaythorn exclaimed ; "I
knew the man could not be so unnatural O
father. Mr.: Marty, you have committed
forgery. This paper you have given me is
worthless, except for your own ruin. Here
is the true will of my dead friend. You
have attempted to defraud this orphan
child. She may punish you if she likes. L
will leave you in her hands,
"No," the girl answered, "let him 90 his
way. l will not bring my fathers brother
to shame and disgrace, deeply as he at
tempted to wrong me-"
Then, sir, you had better leave" said
the old man. Marty seized his hat and
shrank in humiliation from the room.
al suppose it is all right between YOU
with a quizzical smile. "You are a lucky
fellow, Flood; for she is good giri-and,
too, she has very pretty property"
of my good fortune" replied the young
man. 81 feel happy in the possession Of
her affection; and, as to the property, am
not hypocrite enough to pretend that it does
not add somewhat to my prospective fe-
licity."
We leave our readers to fancy the sequel
to this true story. OF course, there was a
wedding and all its attendant train of fes-
tivities, touring through the honeymoon,
and at length settling down comfortably
whether in a cottage near wood, or castle