The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02
from the Catholic world.I
NELLIE NETTERVILLE;
ONE OF THE TRANsPLANTED
CHAPTER xu-coNr1NuEp.
OR,

81 tell YOU, soldier!" Nellie heard her
-1uerulously murmur, 81 tell you, soldier,
it is mere waste of breath your preaching.
So long as that woman's death lies heavy
on my soul, SO long can look for nothing
better in the next world than hell"
At that very moment Nellie nOiselessly
advanced, and stood in silence at the foot
of the bed.
The woman recognized her at once, and
with wild shrek flung herself out of the
bed at her feet. The girl recoiled in horror
and Sdismay. She had learned the whole
story of her mothers condemnation from
Hanish ere she had left Clare Island
Murderess of my mother!" she cried, in
to lay hands upon her daugeter."
Mercy! mercy" cried the woman,
groveling on the ground, and seeking with
her white, shrunken fingers to lay hold of
the hem of Nellie's garment. Mercy.
mercy -
':Where shall find mercy for my
mother ?" Nellie asked, as white as ashes,
and shaking from head to foot in the agony OF
her struggle between conscience and re-
sentment-the one urging her to forgive
her foe, the other to leave her to her fate.
Where shall fndmercy for my mother !"
.You see, soldier-you see," moaned the
poor wretch upon the floor, the daughter
cannot pardon me why then should God -
What would you have ?" cried Nellie,
almost maddened by the mental conflict.
what would you havce l cannot cure
you. What can do -
:. You can forgive, the woman answered
feebly; ''then perhaps God will pardon
also
80 my God. my God! give me strength
and grace sufficient ~ cried Nellie and
then, by an effort of almost superhuman
charity, she stopped, put her arms round
the dying creatures neck, and kissed her.
The woman uttered cry OF joy, and fell
back heavily out of NcllleS arms. long
silence followed.
Nellie looked at the dead, white face ly-
ing quietly OH the floor beside her, and felt
AS if she were dying also. 50 utterly did her
senses seem to fail her, and so dead and
numbed We're all her faculties in the
heavy strain that had been put upon them.
A hand was laid at last upon her shoulder.
Nellie started violently. She had totally
forgotten even the existence of the soldier.
Nay, fear not, maiden, nor yet gr1eVe
Unfortunately" he said, in a voice of mingled
pity and admiration, 81 Thou hast acted in
all this business II am bound to bear tes-~
timony to the truth in a way worthy OF thy
mother daughter"
"Thank 6 cd. at least. that forgave her.
Nellie murmured beneath her breath, scarce
conscious of what he was saying.
8. Nay, and in very deed" he answered.
"thy presence here has been crowning
and saving mercy for the poor wretch
whom We have. seen expire. Ever since l
found her here last night, dying alone and
the Lord, and praying and exhorting, but,
IA it seemed to me, all in vain, until thy
kiss of peace fell like Il balm more precious
even than that of Gilead Oh her soul, and
restored it, cannot doubt, (for saw
light of exceeding gladi.ess settle upon her
dying features restored it TO long banished
peace
"Thank God thathe gave me grace to do
it, Nellie once more whispered. 1t seemed
AS if she were powerless 20 think of aught
besides. -
"They who do mercy shall in due time
find it - rejoined the soldier, putting a
small scrap Of written paper into her hand
4. In this very room thy mother tended me
when my own comrades had deserted me,
fearing the infection; III this very room
yonder woman, hlving been expelled the
other portions of The mansion, since order
has been taken for the separation of Gods
D.. elect from the iut4t-tisughters of the land,
took up her abo,tr Tetue three days since !;
and in this very room last nig ht found her
" dying of the matady OF which, but for thy
mothers care, mast have also persisted,
and go moved by the prospect of eternal
retribution which lay before her, that she