The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-07-26

her countenance, and there is something SO
inexpressibly lovely and ecOManly-so red
client, too, of health and youth-that q
casual observer might think the wheeled
chair only the fancy of a lazy girl rather
than the necessity of an afflicted woman.
AS she sits languidly reclining, playing
with the tassels of her blue cashmere robe,
her eyes ranging from flowers to pictures,
then through the window to the river be-
yond, that sparkles and glistens in the sun
light, so unlike, she thinks, her own dark
ened life, there comes a knock at the door,
and her maid, pretty, tidy young girl,
~ didn't ring, Mary; what is it you
wish ~
81 am sorry to interrupt you, ma'am I;
but there is q man outside who would be
after speaking to you about the greenhouse
place." -
~ wish uncle Nelson were here to save
me the trouble" thought Alice, "for
really feel too nervous for anything like
business this morning, but" turning to the
girl" show him in, Mary; / will see him
and hear what he has to say. / do hope
kind of domestic business wears upon me
sadly, and yet there are SO few duties l can
attend to, that l have no right to throw off
those that happen not to be just in accord
ance with my taste and inclination"
Lost in her revcrie, she did not hear the
door open, OF Mary's quiet "here he is,
ma'am 5" SO, no wonder she gave Il start of
surprise as she raised her face and saw a
strange man looking at her with oh, such
eyes! finer than any she ever saw before.
Quickly recovering herself, she addressed
the stranger:
81 presume you are here in answer to
my advertisement"
"Yes, madam"
GAS that fully explained what require,
I suppose you consider yourself competent
to fill the post"
Another assent.
The work is light, only requiring skill
and taste-that which is ornamental only
being your duty, and the assistance of the
gardener always at your service"
A respectful bow from the man.
with whom did you live last in this
capacity7" asked Alice, anxious to bring
the interview to a close.
:" am stranger, madam, in this coun-
try, and if your question refers to recon-
mendation of my character and knowledge
Of the business, l am afraid cannot give
you one; but l assure you that am not
undertaking n task that 1 am not fully
competent to fulfill.'
81 see by your accent that you are--I
should say Frenchman-but you speak
our language almost like a native"
Z" | have spent much time in England,
and there studied it," replied the man.
Z" What is your name 2" asked Alice, after
a pause.
+" Eugene Lavasseur-
"Wcll, Eugene, it is not my habit to
take persons into my service without a
reference, Eugene takes step forward
and looks distressed" but" continued
the lady, Gas have some faith in an hon
est face as passport, l am content to take
you and risk my own judgment once more,
ceived more than once in such cases."
faxv no cu1io sc
wages; then what she wanted Immediately
attended to was speedily settled, and an
engagement for one month concluded
Such IL look of heartfelt gratitude and relief
broke over the mans face as the interview
closed and he bowed himself out of the
what conclusion to come to, whether to be
sorry or glad that she had engaged him.
Certainly" she thought, "he is above the
ordinary line of servants, and his counte-
nance and whole bearing might become n
prince" Still, she could not quiet her
thoughts on the subject, nor help feeling
vexed at her own precipitancy in thus en-
gaging perfect stranger; and over and
over again she wished that she had waited
for her uncle's return from the city before
she had so fully committed herself. How
ever, now that her word was pledged and
the best of it, and trust to Eugene's prom
ises and her own convictions OF his probity
for favorable Termination to their engage
ment. At all events, it was her duty to
see that his comfort was attended to, SO
she rang the bell, and, when Mary ap-
peared, babe her tell Ellen to arrange the
vacant room next the one occupied by the
coachman for Eugene, and see that every
thing was there necessary for his comfort.
Why, ma'am," said Mary, K" there is an
empty bed in Johns room that the last man
slept in" o.
Yes, 1 know it," replied Alice; "but
this person is a stranger here to us and our
his ease when he finds he can be alone
when he wishes it; and you know, Mary,
always want to feel that everybody about
me is happy, or, at least, comfortable"
True for you, ma'am, and if they're
not, sure the blame is their own" And with