The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-10-03

promise of frst-rate talents, and was q favorite
with all the professors, who fattered by
her rapid progress. She was ever the first in
her class Loved and caressed, could Cecilia
be justly termed an outcast7
CHAPTER III.
One day Cecilia had been writing a letter to
her father, and addressed it, "Col. st. Leger,"
when of her schoOI-fellows, happening to
see the direction, said, with malicious acute
ness,
How strange it is Cecilia, that you have
different name from your father! Why are you
not called st. Leger instead of Brown~
The name of tho inquirer was Armstrong;
and she was perhaps, the only girl in the
school who dislilled Cecilia for she was Jealous
of her success in her studies.
For one moment Cecilia turned towards her
in strange peIpleXity; the next she rushed out
of the room into the garden where Norma was
sitting quietly reading.
Norma, Monna," cried the agltated child,
throwing her arms around her nurses neck
why am called Brown instead of st. Leger
like papa ?"
Had a thunderbolt fallen at her feet the In
dian could not have sprung up with greater
alright. She glanced wildly ut Cecilia, then
taking her by the hand, saia, Show me the
person who. told you this.H s,slazaSGs1.
But now the aspect of the schoolroom had
completely changed. Cccilias rush into the
garden had been noticed and commented on by
the other girls, who had gathered into groups
matter.
Miss Thornton herself, surprised to hear the
unusual hustle and noise, fancied some acct
dent had occurred so came hastily to inquire
"What is the meaning of all this, young
ladies 7" she sternly asked, as she gazed with
astonshment at the strange excitement.
Norma and Cecilia now came in, and they
would at this moment have formed IL study for
| a painter The child, shrinking behind and
clinging to the Indian for support, whilst Mon
mas graceful head was thrown back with
look of proud defiance, as if she would not
only have kept those schoolgirls, but the
whole world, ut bay. Thus the stag turns
hack on its pursuers, and dies in self-defence
So strongly did varying passions contend in
Norma stood utterly speechless AT length, in
| accents which trembled from very intensity of
emotion, she said. (Which of you have dared
to insult Cecilia -
There was a dead silence. Miss Thornton
herself was taken abac.,, as it were, by the
Indians undaunted department. She instinct
lively felt that she dared not now treat as n
mental the devoted, courageous Norma, who
would ward Oil eXerX-bloIy ere it reached the
helpless child beside her
At length Miss Armstrong said, "Why, what
harm have done2 only said that Cecilias
mother must have been some very strange per-
! son, or else her father would allow her to bear
his name"
This speech was meant to wound Cecilia; but
| its cruel meaning felt by Menna alone, for
as soon she heard it she fell senselcss on the
| floor All now gathered round to restore the
| poor Indian to consciousness. Cecila's tears
fell on her check, and did more TO revive Mon
| ma than all the remedies employed.
Dear darling Norma, open your eyes," cried
the weeping child. II love only you; don't
mind at all about my mother, who is dead; do
not care what they say about her"
| Miss Armstrong alone marked this strange
speech, for all the others were too busily en-
gagged.
!. At length Norma opened her eyes, and burst
ing into tears clasped Cecilia to her heart
! They then both retired to their own room, but
! the poor Indian passed Il restless night, and
the next morning rose fevcrish and complained
of a severe headache,
Miss Thornton indeed found her so unwel
that she sent for the school physician, DR. Hor
ton, who, on seeing the invalid, shook his hcaC
rs if the case was serious. He talked apart t.
Miss Thornton in Il low voice, but Cecilia huart
the words, sit must lie done.'
"TEbdi must be douo I" anXiously asked &c
ella. --,.-----
Miss Brown, leave the room," Miss Thorn
ton harshly said,
81 viii not leave, Monna," replied the child
holding to the bedpost.
An expression of intense suffering passe,
over Munna'sp allid brow as she heard her dar
ling ordered away from her. DIR. Horton, see
ing that Il painful struggle was about to cnsu
between the refractory child and her school
mistress, now interposcd .---
d" Miss Cecilia he said, "you must leav
your servant
: % She is not my servant; she is my own den
darling MonHn," sobbed Cecilia.
A faint smile parted Monna's quivering lips
, bnt DR.. Horton now approached and whlspere
:. | in her ear. The next moment Monpa raise
! herself with much effort and motioned Cecili
away. .fF-
t 60, go, my darling she said, do not sta
} near me when am better you shall return.
Cecilia again fingered, and looked at Nom
with streaming eyes. The Indian turned ava
s to hide two large burning drops that course
down her fevered cheeks.
J., Cecilia, command you to CO." she now add
/ cd in low deep tones, but with strange a: