The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-09-18
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER IS. 1876

kNlHH, SEP lem BBR IL, 1871.
scattered sheets of manuscripts music, and
many beautifully penciled sketches, finished
and unfinished; and nearest to where she sat
was paper on which she had been penciling
some fugitive thoughts, and which were
apparent the traces of tears.
She bade old Ned welcome in her wonted
sprightly tones; but it was evident, even to
his dim eyes, that she was much and sadly
changed since he had last seen her In fact
feeding on her beautiful form, and wasting
mind as beautiful, had made great inrolds
within the last few months.
The rich glow of her cheek had diminished to
q small speck of intense red in its centre and
the ivory hue of her forehead had assumed
that unearthly fairness incident to her disease.
Her bright eye had become more lustrous, and
feature and hand had thinned but too per-
ceptibly.
I was comm to you, Miss Maria" said Ned, :
after finishing glass of brandy she had or
dered for him, to beg my own mourneen, my
being turned out of my little cabin to morrow,
as 1 understand pm like to be-"
49,. And SO he shall or you shall have refuge
Then may heavens blessing be on you, by
day and 10y night, my darlin', till you're an
angel in the blessed choir"
But what of Miss Lynch, Ned' Speak
You shali hear, my fasrest of darlins. I
was abont to have o minutes talk with my
o i.al friend Katy, on my way here. about my
whin I ;wss turnin' down the path to tie cot
tage. 10 pnds behold yout what should I hear
but horses comin' thnntierin' like tho THroja jams
Of ould. eo. ,stoopin' behind ssth.es, 7 cav
down ~ eesssess; asaSl {lases
|s stsss . s ( s || Y
king Pram, when he saw the ghost, that some
one was to be taken away. And sure enough
it wasn't many minutes, though thought it
long enough, Miss Maria, till the four returned
with Miss Ellen Lynch between them, and
putin her before one o them, galloped away
with her like q blast"
"Take care old man are you certain of what
you say 7"
"Pm as certain of it as that Homer was
blind, or that Throy was sacked. Didn't l
hear her voice ordherin' them to let her loose,
and askin' them where they were bringin' her 7"
Maria now rang, and req uested her father
to be sent to her He engaged writing in
another apartment but he Immediately attend
ed her summons.
"Well, Maria, my love-" he said, entering
induced you to give up the cultivation of the
muses. at this hour of inspiration" -r
Maria now detailed Ned's intelligence
And haye-you- any idea whittier Miss
Lynch was conveyed 2" asked the rector.
"Why, your reverence heard them namin'
>the castle; and suspect (sinkng his voice to
whisper) it must be toto Sir Johns castle
she was carried away, like fair Helen o. Throy."
After a>few more questions asked and an
swered, Ned>was dismissed to partake of the
housekeeper's hospitality, and thereafter to
enjoy the luxury Ola better bed than he had
slept on for many mouth, as Maria would not
hear of his leaving the reutory for that night.
Dear papa" she said, laying her land on
his after Ned had left the rooms have a re-
quest to ask of you-the most earnest / have
made siuce you permitted me to attend the
dying hours of poor mamma The reGNor's
lady had fallen victim to fever the preceding
winter.
he taor sstn rte Al to l,cr fat hpr's ln
reioincd, in solemn tone: peace be with
her, Maria there are few requests she would
have refused you-but what is your present
one. my love ,"
)" 1t is" she said eagerly, THAT yon will EN-
pl0y every energy, and exert all the weighty
influence of yourself and friends as strenuous
~ as if 1t was for the restoration of your own
Maria, to recover from the hands OF her law
less and ruthless abductors, the gentlest and
the dearest, though most Inflated playmate of
my infancy. Oh. We're l man, Sir John, in
this instance, though entrcnched i'll tentold his
pow cr' and influence, should answer to me for
the safety of my beloved and foully-treated
friend. God knows what fate they intend
for her and her eyes flashed with q hercer
brilliancy. - flg'
/" But you must remember my love, that 1
am man of peace" said the fond parent, tap
ping her cheek "yet, though may not fight
TOR her, pledge myself that neither exertion,
nor pocket, nor influence, shall be spared for
the recovery of the dear girl; and Sir John
may fnd-that is if we can trace the outrage
IL
that of those who will befriend me may be suf-
ficient to shake him from his place of power"
al should have known, dear papa, that your
own kind heart would need no squirting and,
should she be recovered, were to die to-mor-
row, it would soothe my last hours, the rehec-
tion how often she and you would speak of one
whose memory would, know, be SO dear to
both"
maria, my own love, you must not speak
in that strain; you are agitated. The dear
girl shall be restored, to spend many, many
a day of happiness with her playmate-with
us ALL please God" The fond father kissed her
forehead, and the big tear fell hot upon her
neck.
-"Dearest papa" she said earnestly, as she
took his hand in hers, :" did speak thought
lessly, and have to crave your pardon for my
selfshness. should have gladdened your ears
with the music of hope and happiness instead
of evil bodIng. Yes, years of happiness will still
be ours even in this life, trust. But must
keep You strictly to your PROMISE"
maria, you know l seldom leave promise
unredeened, if within my power; and to show
You how intent am on fulfilling my present
Que, l shall, after concluding my letters at
early morn set ont for the castle again"
Inlay the Almighty favor your exertions,"
she exclaimed fervently.
"AmeD, my love-" he rejOined; "and now,
Maria, as You have been much agitated, and 1