The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09
MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC MESSENGER
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY. AUGUST o. 1868.
LOVES STRATAGEM.
BY JACQUEI.fNE.
INSTRUMENTATION.

IV.-CONCLuSION. ga
Alice Laid the note quietly, a.nostsfevcr-
entially in her lap. She. was for1a time
anything like order 5bh&sQy all the CON,
fusion reigned a sens4Nf JOY that he had
worthy of the confideuce and faith with
which her heart had invested him from tue
first. But what could have possessed him
to seek that mental service9 What were
his motives at the time Then this strange
offer! Surely he knew her helplessness,
and how impossible marriage must seem to
a conscientious woman under snch clrcu'n.
stances. "Think of the priceless value of
a loving heart" All who knew better
than she did-who felt more deeply, be-
cause hOpelessly, that love was too precious
a gift to he scorned, and though it be the
Offering of an inferior, she knew it to be
the one link of the great chain of human
joys and woes that we carry with us be-
yond the tomb; from God it came, and to
Him it must he given back-its gold puii-
fed by the fire of suffering and sorrow
through which by its earthly contact it is
inevitably doomed to pass. The way of
the world, the mere etiquette of such mat
ters, we're new to her. She must have adj
vice, and who more Trustworthy and re
liable, both for his affection for her and
knowledge of the world, than her uncle,
the room. Of course he was most innocent
Of all design and had no curioslty-men
never have--Oh MOI
But Alice was too much taken up with
her own dilemma to think of what might
be passing in his mind, and she at once in
troduced the subject-telling him the sub
stance Of this strange note. She did not
let him see tit had assumed a strange
sacredness in her eyes, and must belong to
herself alone. Now that he was really n
gentleman, she argued, he must he treated
as such; but how could she receive his
visits after the resolve she had made to
avoid all such society True, he could
not now he regarded as n stranger; be-
sides, she really was very anxious to hear
an explanation of his conduct from his own
lips. Was she sorry or surprised when her
uncle gravely insisted that she was bound
to see him. If she felt resentment, he
said it became Christian duty if curl
osity, the politeness of the act would gra-
tify it. Thus it was all arranged, and the
next day Eugene was to make his debut i'll |
his new character, not with any intention |
on her part, however, of allowing the visit |
to be repeated. He would she sure,
never consider himself forgiven unless he
had the assurance from her own lips, and
as that was a very small concession, why
should she not make it; but after that
the end of this romance.
The next day at noon handsome two
horse carriage landed at the door the ex-
pected guest. He was shown into the draw
ing groom, his card taken to madame, when,
after few moments delay, he received
summons to her presence. Alice had not
been able, up to the moment of his ap-
preaching step, to decide hom she should
receive him; but this man of the world,
from kings drawing-room to Z" Biddy's
kitchen, soon settled her quandary by
walking frankly up and greeting her as lie
would have done an old acquaintance.
Alice felt really relieved to find herself so
pleasantly carried through this ordeal and
when AchilIe took n chair ut her bid
ding, and started a conversation on topics
appertaining to everything but his late
presence in that same house and room.
leading her thoughts with so much tact
away from the troublesome theme, that in
IL little time she found herself much in
tercsted in his varied conversation quite
to forget they had ever stood in such differ
ent relations to each other.
His object attained of putting Alice per-
fcctly ut her ease, he next noticed her bou-
quct then making inquiries after the pro
grcSs of his late charge, dashed at once
into the subject so near his heart-telllnG
her the whole history of his motives and
feelings. since the night he first saw her at
the opera.
All women admire daring spirit in men.
and when the venture is risked for her love,
her vanity, if not her gratitude, will win Il
pardon for the offender.
81 have considered this explanation"
continued Achille, "due to both you and
myself. Now that it is made, throw my
self entirely upon your mercy, and at the
same time am ready to fall on my knees,
cry, mea cuL,a, and receive and perform
any amount of penance you may think
proper TO enforce. Do not, however, be-
licvc that l can have SO little delicacy OF
manhness as to force addresses upon you
that at this moment may seem those of a
stranger. l only ask the privilege of being
better known to you. With this accorded,
and the hope thatyis i'll my heart, can
wait any length Of time for your decision
Seeing her about to speak, and fearing
the tenor of her words, he quickly added
.. No no, don't snenk noM-nt lraSt unt