The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-10-17

URdaanted, the lady replied, 81 am sure it
was her own fault; for Thomas says he tried
TO keep back tho horses but the girl did~not
look before her" After which Lad y/Maude
st. Leger swept out OF the room. -
As soon as she was gone, the(gencrai again
looked at the miniature, aud then at the poor
young nun, who had sunk into n stony, death
like sleep. The.daring soldier who Lad never
tlinched before at>cannou's mouth, now trem-
bled and wept like child before "a small piece
of ivory! His emotion oVerpowered him so
entirely that he did not perceive another per-
son had noiselessy glided into tho room, and
was also examining the sleeping CARL. Ashamed
to be thus surprised III tears, he rose; but the
priest, who had thus soon obeyed the doctors
simmons, said: {
''sir, do not conceal your emotion, which
does honor to your heart. made haste to
you deeply regret haylng unconsciously in
iured. The doctor gives Httle hope. She is a
countrywoman of yours, for l hear yoT-are
English"
The sufferer now moved as if in extreme
pain; then opening her eyes, at once fec0g-
nzed the priest, aud said in low tones, Father
Paul, yeu have come In time; hear my confess
sion whilst l can yet speak"
"My daughter" replied the priest, "here is a
stranger gentleman, who is very grieveT at
having been the cause of your sufferings. II
was his carriage which had thrown you down.
from my soul. sir. / fergive,n said the nun
in the same Low oppressed tones, as II she
tl,s shs1. m
nau ING HInlatttre in DIS nhrfusj n1iide n sign
for him to give IL back To her.
Upon this Father Paul said, sit is her mo-
theirs likeness, sir, which by special favor was
allowed to remain in her possession even after
she had taken the Hows"
'My child, my child Say again you forgive
mew And the general sank down sObbing be-
side bis long-forsaken daughter.
Cecilia gazed at him in utter bcwilderment,
then sank back again faintng.
IF you really are her father" now sternly
said the priest, instinctlvcly shrinking back
from him, "try and not Kill her outright, and
defer your explanations till she is better able
to bear Them
For once Father Pnul's tone was harsh and
unrclenting. 1t seemed as if he saw before
him the destroyer Of both mother aud daugh-
ter.
He looked again, aud tear now strayed
down his cheek. The generals haughty head
was bent beneath the hand which Cecilia, On
reyiving, making an effort to extend to-
wards him.
There was n solemn silence. At length Ce-
ella again spoke in the same tones, but still
lower, if the pure and chi!dlike spirit was
gaining ground, and going further and further
away from this dark world of ours
My mother is here, though you cannot sec
her, and she bids me say we must all forgive,
as we hope to lie forgiven"
"Ponr child cried Father Paul, "thc dcliri-
OF death Is coming uvci iff size ftFfeits=
her mother is with her"
"Absulutionw gHspcd Cecilia.
Father Paul bent over. Slowly and solemn
~ did he pronounce the absolving words, hut
when tic looked mp again, smile of iHeftabic
sweetness played round his parted lips as lie
said, "anoIher angel has passed through the
gates of Heaven"