The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-26
Uontinuod.)
CHATTER XIV.

The room wan very quiet. The Pickering
.vss-iiebt was the only thing that told of life
and melton. The old man stood silent in the
tened on the tempted girl, whose head was
bowed upon her breast |; while Leonors, pale
and motionless ms o statue stood with her
hand upon the door-knob, waiting for the an
:" II sou leave me-, he said aloud, "it can
only be for her sake; and them cast you of
forever -"
She raised her head, summoning oil her
courage to answer him /; while the INDIGESTION
OF her mind was oil reflected in her words,
"Would-you wish me to be away from my
moor father in his last sad hours-GrandpnS ~
"Yes,n was the stern reply. "You can be Of
no service to him, and desire you to remain
with me-" Then turning from her rs though
her answer was in part anticipated, he fixed
his eager look on Leonora.
"And you, child When he-needs your care
no ionger-will yon come back to meS"
His tone was kind and plying but it could
leave my mother ~
This was all she said but the effort to con-
troll her feelings was relaxed at last. Sinking
on one of the velvet sofas, she buried her face
IN its rich cushions and sobbed convulsively.
She had never been o favorite of her mother,
had never been carressed and petted by her as
She knew that thenceforth poverty, toll and
suffering would be her portion, and yet-she
would not leave her mother.
She saw, as in n vision, the life of ease, of
elegance and pleasure that lay before her il
she would accept it-and vet, brighter still,
and far more vivid. was her duty to her mother.
She felt all the desontion and sadness that
would enshroud her when her fathers love
SHOULD pass away she realized the bleakness
of her life when there should be only his
eweet memory to cherish and yet, she never
out for her by God. Even the cruel grand
father felt the beauty of her filial love, the
ucbie grandeur of her earnest choice
Something like pity or regret stole upon him
az he raZeI drOOpinp He haa
Shought TO stab his hated daughter in law, by
robbing her of her children's love and care
but the blow TINS aimed, had reached another
heart as we'll, and it was bleeding now. Leo
nora wac the first to speak.
"Grard father" she said, "a day may come,
when yoe will tell me was right" Then
looking at Emma whose face was hid within
her hands, az all turn from my poor mother
surely there is greater need for ME to stay and
comfort her,
She passed out of the room, leaving Mr. La
trobe standing stern and motionless on the
refvet-eer-red aeer bat as the deer-elosed
softly to, Emma heard him murmur:
Z" And he thnt honoreth his mother is as
one that layeth up treasure"
There was n long silence in the room. Mr.
Latrobe resumed his seat and Emma continued
her meditations.
mamma" she thought land grandpa will be
all alone, I suppose it is best to stay with him.
7 CON help mamma more perhaps, than could
10y going with her."
Visions of rich splendor passed before her
mind, and she already saw herself mistress of
her grandfather's house and acknowledged
heiress of his wealth. Some kind thoughts
were mingled with these selfish ones-she fan
~cied the ane presents she could give to Leo
NORA and the many comforts she would bestow
upon her mother but tho predominant feeling
was that OF selfish joy in the brilliant destiny
before her. There would DO no moro teaching
now, no dependence. All would be light and
happiness and ease. If there came before her
Leonora's reproachfnl look o61her mother's sor-
rowing face, she recalled her kindly plans for
them, and thus appeased tho ghosts of con-
rseienge.
She had almost forgotten the existence of
tho present and was revealing in the glories of
the future, when her grandfather's stern voice
reused her with the question.
:" You remain with me, Emma! do you not Z"
1t is impossible to know If the old man
read the motives of her heart Alright but |
when she came towards him, laying her hand
upon his arm and Whispering softly, Eyes, |
no reply, only sat staring at the pictures on