The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-07-18
CHAPTER XIV.

1919 Chapter XIV.
The precariousness of their means of living
weighed heavily on Kate'S mind, and she de-
termned to carry her plan for obtaining
livelihood by her own eXertions into execution.
Accordingly, she entrusted Tim with number
of drawings, with directions to dispose of them
much below their zeal value When he re-
turned, the expression of his rueful ceunten-
ance alone sufficient to Indicate the un-
successful issue of his mission.
"Well, Tim, WE'LL" exclaimed poor Kate,
breatbless from impatience "what, have you
done 7"
"Nothing, Miss, nothing" but seeing the
color leave her checks at the unexpected in
telligence, he added GO III do better, / expect,
to morrow; know 1 will-for some of the
best people couldn't be seen to-day"
When Kate was alone, she thought, with
bursting heart, " It's strange they would not
have them; surely they are better, far better,
than those which used to be so much admired
at Dunseyerick."
Kate still sat, the scalding tears falling fast
on the portfolio which lay before her, and her
eyes swollen from weeping, when Lady Clifton
| stole gently into the room, and stood behind
her chair unnoticed The poor discopsolate
girl appeared the very emblem of dependency,
| and tine benevolent and warm-hearted woman
did not hesitate a moment as to how it became
her to act.
"Kate dearest Kate! Pm shocked to see
you thus. From the commencement of our ac-
qnaintance remarked that some cruel Attic
ton yelgnsa pgon your nlnd and a a5aplsy
xenfnre "a Nnt1 u Int ssas - ets1ioasly
er1ac fed from nay tEhes+1odg Bat now
now there can be no further reserve between
us. will be mother to you, dearest
child" She raised the dropping head, and
kissed the cheek of the forlorn girl.
"Yes: tell me all, this mOment-1 insist
upon it. am rich; if money can avail, You
have only to command it, If wealth be pow
erless, have a heart that can feel for and con-
| sole you. Come, come, dearest, tell me all
all, without reservation"
When, after a long conference, Lady Clifton
rose from the sofa where they had been sitting,
swollen from weeping as those of her compan-
ion but smiles beamed upon her face-she
had ascertained that it was in her power to ac-
complish much; and to n heart like hers, the
ability to perform n good action was alone
wanting to insure its speedy execution.
Kate had quite shaken off her dependency,
and though her spirits were not SO buoyant as
when she roamed amongst the oaks and How
ers at Dunseverick, she was evidently at ease,
and relieved from those cruel anxieties which
sour the sweetest tempers, and beat down the
bravest hearts. All, everythiug-from her
own disappointment to her uncle's change of
circumstances-hadbe been unreservedIy revealed
to Lady Clifton; and the ice once broken, she
felt melancholy satisfaction in talking over
mast occurrencesLSin communicating the plans
She had formed, and coniiding the hopes she
entertained fer the future te-tAe yFaPathizing
breast of SO kind a ffiend.-
From that time occasionally, and always just
when required letters came for Col Blake
, conta aiming bAnk-notes of considerable amount
which some of his correspondents Informed
him were long due to him-while others as
sured him that the money was his own, thongl
extraordinary circumstances prevented the dis
closure of the sources from whence 1t was de
, rived. As no addresses were given, those let
tiers or their contents could not be returned.
r All went on cheerily; Tim ceased to attend
at casual balls; Mr. Pepper seldom wrote, bu
still there was no positively bad news whel
he did-things remained always in the same
' state-Pincher quiet, and he resting on hi
oars, but always carefully attending to The
interests of his client"
Rv degrees Lady Clifton overcame tn
Calonels disinclination to enter society he an,
r Kate dined with her occasionally, and some
Bingham was treated with marked attention
v and was much admired by moro than on
: eligible candidate for matrimony.
n amongst the visitors in Curzon-street was
gentleman of large fortune, country neighbo
:, of Lady Clifton's; their parks adjoined; hi
: mansion was one of the best, and his estate on
l.. decided Partially for the Irish beauty-an
=" her kind friend determined to secure {
desirable a connection for her, If she possibl
could. Kate and he met often az he a gun
;" Lady Clifton insisted upon the Colonel and b
y family accompanying her to the Hail; u
y necessity of sea air for Kate was aer exeIs
ICharlton's proximity, while prosecuting h
V Sesign agaiRat his heart Colonel Blake WI
I necessarily made the conttdant OF her plal
,e and expectations in order to secure his c
II operation-but they were carefully conceal'
r; from the person most interested III the anh'
ID The travelling carriage ratified along :,
tx briskly as prime posters could take It'll
Colonel, Kate, aud Lady Clifton inside.
id The visiters were charmed with the groun
~ of Clifton Hall. Lady CliftoR's project seem
lie to prosper. Almost every morning Mr. Cha
u. ton was in attendance for ride, and frequent
M returned either to dine pass the evening
ID the Hall; his attentions were undisguised, al
his ultimate intentions could not be mistake
IL Lady Clifton and the Colonel took every 0
adj portunity of pointing out to Kate the desirab
ness of such q connection. One urged {
hanuineas of INTERCHANGEABLE other, AZ