The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-02-07
Written for the Morning STAR
4SH PROMISES.
EY JACQUELINE.
Chapter I-Reyerses.

Twilight was filing allthc room with is soft,
soothing presence, lending n ruddier glow to
the low fire that burned in the CRATE, to temper
the chill OF the early autumn evening. Sitting
near the window, with an infant asleep on her
lap sat a woman, who though of middle age,
still retained the beautyref younger years
a settled, sad expression of countenance had
chased away the Joyous smile OF happier days,
and fSss syes. large grey and lun3nonS, looked
now "heavy with the weight of unshed tears"
They, for a time, had been steadily liked upon
the stars, which were coming slowly ono of the
hungry blue" like lamps invisibly flashing
over the darkened path of a lost and weary
/ traveller. Some assurance of help, some need of
patient endurance, seemed to have gllnted from
! those silent messengers. down into her sad
heart, for q smile mingled with the shadow, as
if some new-b born hope had entered therein.
Raising the sleeping babe gently to her bosom,
she pressed her lips upon its brow, then casting
her eyes over to the other side OF the room,
where stood u large, old-fashioned canopied
bed upon which was lying, in a quiet sleep,
the figure of a once handsome, stalwart man,
now reduced by q long and painful sickness to
mere shadow of his former self, she heaved n
long, heavy sigh. She was in the act of APP
preaching the bed to lay the infant down, and
assure herself of her husbands repose, when the
door quietly opened, and little low voice call
ed, in q whisper, " Mamma" She left the room,
and was met in the hall by two lovely little
boys, each 80 like the other, that it must have
puzzled even an accustomed eye to individual
lie them; only the mothers heart could tell at a
glance which was Edwin and which Norman.
"Oh, mammal they both exclaimed in O
breath, catching hold of either hand, yet speak
ing very low, y" sister has the tea all ready,
and she has made something so nice-some'
thing she read about out of q great big book
as bfg-as big almost as the Dictionary"
"NOw, Eddy, )" here interrupted the more reti-
cent Norman, "tlut is II secret; and You prom
ised not to tell, because sister wanted to sur
prise mamma; and now you've gone and tole
- her all about it,"
= "No, hav'nt Norm; havc4 now, mamma
only said it was something nice and I'm SURE
thu taid Santa Clans would
put in my stocking and Pm sure never guess
ed sugar plums, and oranges, and n gun, and
sword, and ever many tire-crackers, etc"
But Just as Eddics enthusiasm was growing
under this happy reminiscence of a year gone
a door ut the end of the hall opened, and
lovely young girl-a blue-eycd, golden haire
blonde-was seen standing by the side OF
brightly arranged tea-table, bountitully sprra
with plain, but appetizing meal, the place :
honor being given TO plate piled up wit
smoking -hot mullins. A look of surprise, chase
3 by one of love, and Mrs. Lambert, turning, kiss
e4 the bright face of her daughter
ftWhy, what q universal little genius, Laur
you are going to be-even learning to coo
with success that might shame an older hant
But, my darling, fear your desire to gratii
me has made You forget how necessary 1T is II
all of us now--all but your dear father-to for
go the delicate tastes of former years, and heal