The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-12-24

same time the son of Ellen's aunt
Well, my dear!" she said in her sweet,
5% lvsy .a to
away, yon thought you would be sure to like
him-this unknown son of your strange aunt
and just see how it all happens Il
whom that night she poured out the pleadings
of her heart, knew how much she liked him |!
O,Neil and Aunt Polly shared the labor of
nursing and watching him during that first
er declared that "he- was getting on swim
mingly," while Aunt Polly thought he looked
"if anything, moro surreptitious than ever!"
CHATTER XXI.
Explanations.
"What strange picture for mothers quiet
Kate and Blanche had been experimenting
the hanging of one of Vernet's exquisite marine
pieces, and were standing in admiration befoIe
It, when Willis's laughing exclamation made
them start
+" Isn't it beautiful, williefn
"What life and motion, brother. in every
+" Yes, yes, it is all that but still can't
help thinking IT q strange picture for this
storm, worked up in all Vernet's inimitable
skill in order to wiring the beholders heart
with sympathy for the wrecked and almost
despairing crew. Now, compare the storm,
the anguish, the wild fury represented there,
with this scene of peace, love and gentle hap
piness."
It was, indeed, a vivid contrast; and Kate
| spun round with graceful motion to take it all
| in ut one rapid glance.
! There sat her mother, wearing upon her
pale and delicate features the sweet smile that
was babitual to them. Fresh fowerssbloomed
in an aiabaster vase upon the invaiids table,
Soft folds of silken damask hid the glare of
MONDAY sun, while sweet warblings from tiny
birds outside, told of twining, odoriferous
vines in which their cages were concealed.
Each young face, as it turned toward the
others, after this scrutiny, saw only looks of
love and smiles Of happiness.
est gallant ship has been dashed against
the rocks, and among the terrible waves
strong men and delicate women were strug-
Cling for life. A useless light burned in the
watch-tower on shore, contrasting its calm,
steady ray, with the lurid gleamings in the
sky. Dead bodies had been already thrown on
shore, and one despairing figure knelt on a
ven, but the sea to spare it's loved ones.
I" Was this your choice, mother darling !"
asked Willie as be took o seat on her stool and
lifted her email foot upon his lap.
"Yes: told your father to buy me one of
Vernets Storms whenever he met with q
copy that pleased him. 1t is to me not only a
picture of q storm but of the world without;
blessed calm of q happy home"
There are, indeed, other shipwrecks than
those upon the sea-" said Willie. ......
!" Yes, my son but Gods hand directs and
controls them all, while His mercy, like that
beacon-light, burns on unchanged, unchang-
ingpn on., .. .;.,,r e-.;n,,., =. ., ;. ,,u,r,
ship, have. like it, gone down in sight of
shorev'-Wille's voice reached only his
mothers ear, but it's sadness smote upon her
heart y. IT. ....o
continued: 81 feel as if had just escapedits
fury, and, like the widowed husband bending
| over that lifeless form-hardly know whether
to be thankful or not for life preserved, now
| that all its joy has gone"
"winie! Oh. my son,"
| Mrs. Dudley's hands clasped her sons; and
all her love and sympathy welled up in one
earnest cry.
Hntu and Blanche hutit left fifth tho rouu1, and
the tender mother was alone with him.
"All gone, Willief Has it indeed all gone,
"Oh, no, no, mother, not while you are left
me! Forgive this shameful burst of selfish
with my trouble that it was relief to give it
utterance."
"Have you not heard from Leonorai"
| 81 have reason to believe she has abandoned
| her poor mother"
"You should see her, my son, and learn the
truth from her own lips 1t is not fair to
judge her unheard.i She may have remained
and noblest of motives; perhaps she did so at
her mothers express command"
| "God bless you, mother, for this comfort,
| for this one ray of hope"
~ did not think, on that bright morning,
| Willie, when you told me there was o man in
| your room, that should 80 soon have need to
comfort him." She smiled and petted his hand
as it lay in hers.
Il have not yet made him all he shQnld be,
but with your help, dear mother. 1 hope to
| succeed in my designs at last"
| Yes, dear son; if you will look for your
| strength and inspiration from above, and not
| like ysnder hapless man, upbraid the waters
for dashing over your bright hopes" She
pointed to the picture and then continued:
| Though you are man, my darling, you
| have not as yet known what fearful storms
there are in this world of ours. In the future
| it may be your lot to encounter many; and let
| me entreat you to meet and buffet them with
manly courage and exalted hope. Should you
be called upon now, in the morning of your
| life, to bear disappointment to see the fairest
| joy of your heart go down in darkness do not
| let it crush your faith in goodness, or embitter
your love for your fellow-man We must all
endure, my son and, to some, God never
gives, here on earth, the fruition of their
hopes, the realization of their dreams. He re-
serrea His faYora for q better world xhera. on