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

|RNING STAR AND CATHOLIC
Ttsrs was . long silence a. thoy sat, hand in
r ns1a, gasing on the weird beauty OF Verness
~ now think could endure all thing
save ono, sweet mother"
has Il. : storm. ny q should par. N.
There wac NO reply. Tho mSther'e arms
| toided themselves around her son, while her
head rested on his shoulder mute acknowl-
/ Soement tnas death alone could DRIFT tneif
hearts asunder.
"WM Kate answer ClifYorl's letter." at
lnst asked Willie. breaking the anectionate
silence, and turning his eyes from the tempest
| uous waters on the canvas his mothers
gentle face.
No; your father and myself thought it best
engagement. Besides. Clifford did not ask
nor seem to expect it. He thought that she
na9 arght, go he expressed it in his letter,
| TO know his sentiments towards her. Heleaves
her Tree to choose from all the world, now that
she is assured his lovc lies at her feet"
dread the consequences of the coming
erection, mother. If South Carolina secedss
and South"
1.-The future is, indeed, threatening, and the
l can only pray that God may avert it's wrath
and preserve our country in peace and unity
III; before this time next month, mother, we
Willie felt his mothers hand tremble>in his
own, and knew that her maternal<appreh
| sions were aroused but his own, young heart
Was full Of eager longing, of burning desire to
| land. He rose to take his leave.
! Il go now to my Office, mother but, before
we meet again. shall have seen Leonora and
straage story. lit be as you have suggested.
I will bless you, mother darlingw He stopped
and kissed her. "Bat if, on tho contrary,
those who have been faithful l He viii Sestow
that exceeding great reward which He has
promised
A1 All :. s.sRs asil's.eIhy s. Ia ,if isr.
Ai snd Sas one : Sssss Inch only '>''S'
fond love lost to me, then. with Gods help and
your kind sympathy, will breast the storm
| as bra7ely as yonder gallant ship!n
| He waved his hand towards the picture, and
| left the room.
As soon as he could leave the office>that
! evening, he hurried on towards Mr. Latrobe's
house, elated with hope, and confident that
Leonora could explain everything to his salts
| faction.
He was received by tho old gentleman him
gavo him q most cordial welcome.
| As Mr.. Latrobe ushered bis visitor into the
library, Willie's heart throbbed almost audi
sofa and advance towards him.
| "My granddaughter, Emmaw said Mr. La
trobe turning up the gas jet and throwing its
"Yoa have been quite . stranger, Mr.. Dud-
ley" and the little, jeweled hand was placed
in his.
| The revulsion of feelings, the surprise, the
| thrill of joy, the strange position in which he
had placed himself, all flashed upon him and
made him speechless. Indeed he held Emma's
hand long that she began at last to hope
that he meant to keep it forever.
AS be turned to accept the offer of seat, he
observed the old mans eyes Gxed scrutinizngly
upon him. while his right hand was carefully
Slight the incident, it recalled to
Wille's mind all the cruelty and injustice
heaped by that same hand upon the dead ia
Their of her who sat smiling before him; and
| he knew not which he loathed the most, the
heartless daughter, or the cold, unforgiving
father.
| Willie's handsome face, and only strove to
| please and entertain him, little dreaming that
each tender look, each beaming smile, each
| winning word, only served to make his heart
| yearn more fondly for his sweet, his good, his
own LeonOra.
Time hung heavily in spite of Emmas ami
mated conversation, and Willie grew impatient
to get beyond the glare of the many-tinted
| diamonds that blazed and sparkled on her
neck, arms and fingers
l. Never did any one feel so entirely out of
place as he did, and never did any one SO
blame his own ill luck that had led him into
this unfortunate visit.
He dared not ask news of Leonora, OF of tho
poor abandoned mother, in the glitteripg
presence of the undutiful daughter and n
| loving sister; but trusting to learn their
whereabouts from some of their old intmates,
he rose to take his leave.
Emma's face grew eloquent, and her voice
| most sweet and tender rs she accompanied him
to tho door but his leave-taking had nothing
in it to gladden. her heart, or brighten her eye,
and she closed the door behind him with a
Sigh of wonder and disappointment.
/ As he nenred the corner of the block, he
noticed timid figure. in black, shrink close
against the wall and seem to await his coming.
nized, in the trembling object, the poor, in
dulgent mother of the heartless girl he had
just left.
"Did yon see her, Mr. Dudl.y' Did you see
| my Emma 7"
The poor woman seized his arm and peered
| into his face.
eyes, saw her a moment ago. She is quite
we'll and happy believe"
She looked SO sad, so distressed when he said
l this, that he added qniekl "
"What can do for youf Do you wish to
see herf"
ss See hes!l ela4 am dying for one look of her
20, IL.