The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02

ms 1han0, ne would nave struck him to the
ground, # the soldier had not placed NM
self hastily between them, saying in a mon
| tory tone to Roger:
ST thou wou1dst not destroy the young
maiden's hopes altogether, sir, leave this
| affair to me. Another look OF word of
thine, and it will utterly miscarry."
Roger felt the man was right. 1t was not
by violence or angry words that he could
best serve Nellie. He checked himself at
| once, therefore, and fell back, while the
soldier said quietly to his superior officer:
Thou hast not, peradventure, captain,
| to- me some three days since, when first the
way in which the Lord had disposed of
| our lots>was made known to us at Meter
vile p
"Forgotten-no, in sooth-not Il" the
! other answered roughly. Nor have l
and ingratitude thou didst reject it better
though it was by a hundred pieces of good
gold than that which one of thy comrades
didst thankfully accept from Major Pep
per-"
Throw Black Cromwell and the white
mare Daylight into the bargain, and l ac-
cept," the soldier answered quietly.
.sWhat. part with Black Cromwells-
Black Cromwell, who hath carried me I'M
hurt through more battles than David him
self ever fought against the Philistines," the
officer demanded with well-affected aston
ishment. "Verily and indeed, master SER
geant, thou art, as do perceive, notwitil-
ious sanctity-thou art, say, but an ex-
tortioner, after all. Had it been the mare
alone, now, though she also is very marvel
for strength and speed had never said
thee nay; but to talk to me of parting with
Black Cromwell, is to prick me. so to speak,
upon the very apple Of the eye
Nevertheless, l have fancy for him,
and, if cannot get him, will still hold
fast to Netterville, the inheritance which
the Lord himself hath of late assigned me
in this new land of PROMISE" the other
steadily replied.
s. There is the good horse, Battle of Wor-
cester, he is stronger than Black Cromwell,
and would altogether suit the maiden
BETTER his superior rejoined in a coaxing
tone.
"Yea, but he hath an ugly trick Of going
lame ere the first mile is over" Sergeant
Jackson, responded with Il knowing smile,
and then he added in tone which was
evidently intended to bring the discussion
to an end, g 1t will be all in vain to dis
pute this matter any further, Captain Rip
pei. If you have, in truth, as you seem to
say, made up your mind to keep Black
Cromwell for your own riding, l, on the
other hand, am equally resolved not to
part with this house of Netterville, which
will serve me- well enough. l doubt not, as
a residence, once I have brought my old
Nay, then. Insurer. take the horse, and
thy money with it - cried the officer, in a
tone far less expressive of vexation than of
triumph, at the result of the discussion.
. Take thy money, and hand me over that
debenture which, with the loss of such a
charger as Black Cromwell, is, fear me,
but too dearly purchased.
Without deigmng to utter single
syllable in return, Sergeant Jackson took
the purse Which the other in his affected
indignation almost flung at his head. with
one hand, while with the other he drew
forth from the breast pocket of his coat a
paper, being the identical debenture in
question. and presented it to his officer.
Captain Rippel snatched it hastily from
him, ran his eye over it to make sure that
it was the right one, aud then turning on
his heel, sauntercd out of the courtyard,
without even condescending to glance
toward the spot where Nellie stood anx-
iously awaiting the result.
| Sergeant Jackson instantly dived into
one of the stables. and Selling side saddle,
(Nellie's own saddle of the olden times.l he
| led forth a strong, handsome mare, as
white as milk, and began to saddle it in hot
haste while Roger. taking the hint, did
the same for Cromwell.=-
Il am afraid lave cost you-very dear
Nellie said in II low. grateful tone, as she
stood beside the -ergeaut. " Believe me,
for nothing less than 4 mothers life would
l have suffered y"1 10 make such sacri-
fee.
NAY, maiden, call it rot a sacrifice
he answered without looking round. and
giving pull to the e:I:hs to make sure
that they were tight. !" Or if thou needs
must think it ore. remember that. had not
| thy good mother saved my life, L should
not have been hc~c to make it"
Nellie's heart was too full to speak. and
she suffered him to lift her i'll silence to her
saddle. lie settled her i'll it as carefully
| and tehderlv as if instead of a simple SOL
der, he had been one of the old courtly
race of cavaliers, from which she was her
self descended, and then, with one last whis-
pered word of gratitude for himself, and
one last loving message for old Grannie,
| which he promised to deliver to her in
person, Nellie rode forth from Netterville,
and. without even giving it q farewell