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


INJURED the sweet names of Jesus and Mary.
Then the slight breath stopped anon it came
again; again 1t wont, and without y struggle
that happy soul took fight. I closed the eyes,
still wearing the lingering look of gratitude
and love crossed the hands, and twined the
beads around them, and then knelt down and
said the htaay fer the dead. was now pro
pairing to leave the hospital, when the nurse
came, and asked me if I would step for u
minute into the next ward, just to speak to d
poor old woman who seemed to be getting
q bed had seen empty in the morning, Dccu-
pied; when had finished talking to the old
woman, asked who the new conner was
be who she may asked her this afternoon 1es ni If
she would see you or the priest, and declare
the look of her frightened met was so wild
and fierce. But she's lady, am sure; for,
bleeding, the few ragged clothes she had on
were Of the finest, and when she is in her
senses, she speaks so lady-like but she went
to her of sisters or priests, but to do her the
only kindness 1 could, and let her die alone so
there she lies, and not one bit or drop can get
down her"
haps can help to soothe her"
approached the bed carefully, shading the
lamp With my hand set the light down on
sat down upon it. Loud, heavy breathing, and
quick, frightened starts, told me the patient
slept I gently drew aside the sheet, with
winch Sno n8O covered her race ana mead, 8uQ3
started at the picture that met my gaze. IL
was a woman, seemingly about Internationally
years of age; her face and neck were covered
with a perfect mass of thick, glossy hair; it
the bed-clothes. l took one of the tresses
in my hand and wondered Mt it's length and
softness. One small white hand was thrown
above her head, and it crasped n norton of the
hair SO tightly that could not move it, lest I
should wake her Before l had sat many
minutes, the sleeper awoke with loud, piercing
hands on her to sosthe her.
"Do not he frightened" said; "you' are
quite safe"
sharply.
az am Sister <sf Mercy, and 1 am anxious to
assist you"
81 don't want you; go away; You only tor,
her face.
Al am afraid you mistake me-" said very
gently I" indeed only wish to do you good. :"
do me good You cannot leave me alone !!
Let me die as / have lived.n
sister"
Don't mention his name to mo- Le.,vc me .
Let me be forgotten by God and man. Let ME
die, and do not torment me-"
God loves you with an infinite love-a iove
more tender than SOU can imagine"
81 tell you to go! 1 am cursed, hated!
want no good; will listen to none. Your
words are all in vain; save them and 20"
With these words che resolutely turned from
so
that she could neither hear nor see mo. took
my rosary, and knelt down, and said it for her
and ardently did pray that the poor heart
might he turned to God. When had knelt
above An hour, she turned iercely round, and
said:
!" Are you still there what are you doing!"
lam praying for you, my sister"
!" Praying for me |" and wild fearful laugh
sounded through the quiet room. Praying
for me; my name is fergotten in heaven. Don't
do that My mother is in heaven. Don't Let
my name be heard there, or she will know but
go away, and leave me: Heaven and earth
meT
The delirium and fever seemed to increase so
rapidly, that feared my longer stay would be
useless. A torrent of words were pouring
quickly from the parched lips now 3 wild ap-
peal, o fearful cry to God for mercy; then q
dreadful Bathurst of reproaches and contempt
against heaven; then a wild snatch of song,
and Q laugh SO unearthly, it almost chilled the
blood in my veins. Once, and once only the
look came upon the flushed face when she
fancied she was girl at home again, and her
mether was speaking to her.
went home, for was Of NO use, and the
nus5fe gave the poor sufferer an opiate before
lafsI could not rest; that wild, beautiful
face was beftme me, ana those pitiful cries rang
in n.F ears all night. The following morning
moro quiet, and good deal exhausted.
procured q basin of COLI water, and wetting
q handkerchief, placed it upon her burning
pFOW. Nus GOODNESS seemed 10 revive uer
after hid bathed her forehead for some min
ates, she opened her eyes and said, in faint
voice, " Ia that you, mother bless yous thank
yAh;;" but after looking earnestly at me, she
turned away with despairing sigh never
shall forget. After had well bathed her face
and head, gathered the long hair and ar
ranged it neatly under cap. How beautiful
she locked! the red flush was gone, and her
face WINS fair and white marble. The slight
eyebrows were marked clearly and arched
so beautifully, and the noble open brow was so
fair, could distinguish every vein. Again my
tears fell upon her face stopped over her.
She gave quick star, and said Who are
youT
az am a Sister of Mercy, one who loves you."
=" Loves mel and is that tear fey re :"
!" Yes, not only one, but many more have
shed for You"
60 Sister," and she turned and threw her
self on my breast &C. that is the first tear any
one has shed over me since my mother died.