The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-06

and the fading sunligt fell upon a splendi
} specimen of manhood. Six feet of magnifi
} Gently proportioned height, and hea,
} which Vandike would have gloried in
intellect and will were marked, and a com
plexion which the suns of Southern Europe
had darkened into olive.
Pardon me, Miss Cecil, but the likeness
is perfect, and the name SO familiar. Was
your mother Ruth AndersonP"
half whispered, "Yes!' She could never
speak calmy of her mother, for her love
seemed only to strengthen as years made
the loss more keenly felt. In an instant he
was by her side, and, with the tender but
perfectly respectful manner-the manner
SO acceptable to woman-he told her how
eagerly he had sought for this child of his
old and esteemed friend. He had gone
abroad with her mother, and remained in
Europe till within a few months. He had
read of the fearful doom of the arctic, and
vainly tried to trace the child.
:" need not tell you, Madge, how very
glad am to see you, and, before long, 1
shall hope to be very good friend"
And they did meet very often. Madge
spent the summer at Newport, and Mr..
Grey's cottage was near her guardians
lovely home. l suppose there is truth in
the old and familiar theory of elective
aftinities; for the strength of his nature
and her impulsive, passionate heart was
entirely swayed by his steady, strong af-
lection /; in truth, each chord felt the echo
from his. And SO, in the autumn, was not
surprised when she pointed to a magnif-
icent solitaire diamond on the forefiDger of
her left hand, and told me that she had
promised to be the wife of Newton Grey.
They had returned to New York, and
Madge and Mr.. Grey were looking over a
portfolio of engrayings at the further end
of the bright coal fire, dreaming day
dreams, as the smoke curled and doated
away, when suddenly the door opened-an
Henry Elsdon came in. l shall never for
get the look that, only for one single
moment, darkened his features; only for
with quick, soft step he crossed the
library, and suarely joined the circle around
the engravings. l could see that Newton
Grey would never stoop to suspect him
but Madge recoiled from him, for there was
not the slightest affinity between such
"Uncle Ha]j' she told me one morning
{" I always feel that ought to cross myself
when Henry ElsdOn comes near me, that l
may pray to be saved from some impending
And my lamb was right, for truly a wolf
did prey near for her destruction.
Business called me to the South, and
left New York to breathe the balmier air of
Charleston. 1t was Il delicious winter, that
soft season in the Sunny South. Violets in
the gardens in December, and the scarlet
winter roses and sweet mgnonette bright
ening the lovely villa-likc houses on the
battery.
l was slowly descending the stone steps
that led from the beautiful cathedral, while
the last echoes of the bishops gentle voice
yet rang in my ears, when Il letter was put
into my hands by my friend Col. Everett.
I Il. 1,f. fr ,l1nfl Il
Broad street, to the Mills House, and in
my pleasant room l sat down to enjoy
Madge Cecil's confidence. Imagine my
horror as l read:
"Come to me, dear Uncle Hal, for God
alone can strengthen me in this fearful sor-
row. 1 cannot understand. but yesterday
Mr.. Grey left me after short visit, and to-
day they tell me that he is dead. hear
low whisperings of Il terrible sin of which |
Henry Elsdon is guilty. For my mothers
sake, come and aid your desolate.
left that evening, and on Saturday held
my darling in my arms Then the whole
story in its fearful detail was repeated. |
Henry Elsdon had wished to marry my |
ward, but she had refused him some time
before her engagement with Newton Grey.
Elsdon's pride was piqued, and he deter
mined to be rewnged. Then began
system of deceit hat was Machiavelian
for with subtle skill he won Grey's friend
ship, till at last, inone unguarded moment,
he dared to speak lightly of Madge. In an
instant, Grey rose, his face white with a
terrible calm:
81 am in my cwn rooms, Mr.. Elsdon,
therefore you are safe; but you must feel
that each word that you have uttered shall
be retracted, else there can be but one
settlement"
"And, by God there shall be but one
settlement ~ and Elsdon's face glared with
hate.
And so in tie code that teaches murder
cold, passionless, brutal murder-they
sought refuge, and Newton Grey fell,
pierced through the temples.
Sorrows seem truly conveyed on this
ocean of life, this sea of wild unrest; for
il few months Nj. Alan lost his fortune,