The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-15

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10 resolved to adopt the poor boy.
Thus it happened that the little orphan be,
,ame q member of the Dudley family, ana
rev up with Willie moro like twin oro'neF
Mrs Dndley's heart opened to receive tho
onely child, and she soon loved him with All .
Mr. DnasY ana
of his adopted son; but an elaer
brother of his, Mr.. Robert Dudley, unmar-
red. and living ut the North, offered 70 CIV
Induced Mr.. Dudley to entrust him to his care care.
Devoted to money making, and imbued WIN
The fanatical notions of the day. Robert Do%
mind, until he had destroyed within him all
love for his Southern home and trienas.
Mr.. Dudley had only Clihord's lntsresI Nv
heart when he had given him up 70 nus D.o.he,
could ever become o cold and selfish mau: -
"How deeply regret" said Mr.. Dudley TO
his wife that night as their conyersa!ion Grew rev
TIERS wishes to influence me in regard to Chr
ford. Regrets, know, are useless; bnt lear
we have lost o son"
He stopped and kissed bis wife az ne
spoke, then rose and paced the long, quie'
rooms.
Mr.. Dudley was a rich banker now, and
Clifford would have been gladly welcomed 10
all the privileges of u son but the young man
felt o resentment against fortune for having
once cast him, forlorn and helpless chld. at
the feet of MIR. Dudley, and he imagined tnas
the man of wealth and influence mao Sou :, heu
every dollar and every trouble the orphan boy
He had been away from his home and from
her whom he called mother, at the very age
when his heart most yearned for love aud ten
derness and when his nature was most sus
ceptible to all their gentle influence; now he
determined to steel his heart against All softer
pleadngs and lead q lonely, joyless life.
Between Willie and himself, however, there
still existed the closest friendship; and the
former would not see in his friend any OF those
faults which grieved his mother ana ehciteo
his fathers disapprobation. ,,.,
Mr.. Robert Dudley being now dead, even WI,
lie hoped that Clifford would return to his OLD
home, and he could not believe that prid:e
alone had made him reject all offers from his
father, and kept him beggared of his love and
That night as Mr.. Dudley babe his wife
good night, saying in distressed and disap-
pointed tone: II am afraid We will have to
give him up, my dear'-Wille, in his own
| room, was pouring out his hearts affection Tor
Clifford in a long, closely-written letter, the
give YOU up, old fellow! Remember, that No
vember the 18th is our Kate's birthday, when
she will be eighteen"
CHATTER VIII.
Ircmty One
William Dudley's twenty-frst birthday was
drawing near-Kate and Blanche were eacl
preparing some little token, which, proving
useful to him, might at the same time remlnt
him of their sisterly affection.
Mir. Dudley had proposed giving his son al
. inaugural party but Willie scornfuliy desia,e.
hewould wait for Kate's birthday when h.
. could enjoy himself at her "frolic"-muc
u more than he would ut his own.
;, The time, therefore, slipped by unncticed
n Mrs. Dudley alone counting the days this
:. hurried ker boy as she fondly called him, upo
T the road to manhood.
! How arrange it seems to mothers hca
a that the darling baby-son whom she cradle
y ON her knees and lulled to sleep within b.
" arms should now be the earnest, thought
~ man upon whose bosom, her own weary hea
81 often finds repose and in whose strong arm
re her an xious heart seeks comfort and encourag
IN ment! >,
VI It happened one morning as Mrs. Dude
G. moved about her room, that she heard h
name called by her son in a rather loud al
unnatural tone.
d. His room was just opposite her own, openil
upon the long, wide hall; and as she huiri
is tone of amazement and fright.
~ Mother! Mother! There is q man in I
to room.' =,
Dudley, though an invalid, was always
ed early riser, and rather an amused smile play
re round her lips at the idea of an lntrut
tb being within the house and her strong, maal
son calling on his weak, invalid mother to
al form her of the fact.
.v With this smile upon her face aud q veal
~, of love OVERLOOKING her tender eyes, she emit
ed Willie's room 1t was in strange CONFUSE
N. chairs and tables upset and the bed dragged
hi. the very center of the apartment Boo
ep shoes, coats hats, all the articles belonging
nd centleman's wardrobe, were lying in singu
AN profusion ON the bed or floor, and even
Nv mirror had left its lofty position on the "
ow and occupied, with q great deal of risk to
nov self, the only rocking chair in the room.
,ey. II do not see any man here" she said, 10
Law ing only at her handsome son, whose erect
rjs well-knit frame seemed q match for more Il
one opponent.
the " Not see one, motherw exclaimed Willie
at o tone of mock disappointment and dish
4 at "then surely do your eyes deceive Jou"
hls He was very handsome in his young n
hood. His white forehead wearing the
him press of truth and virtue, and his dark {
,ket flashing with mingled pride and mischief
yer. "What sort of man is it, my son II as
itch his mother, looking around her for s.
,on- which Willie seeing, he soon had her conf
ably installed in his best arm chair, wi
,rld standing erect before her, he answered
any question:
eets. "A very fine looking man indeed, mot
9 or Tall and graceful, with intelligent feat
and intellectual forehead. Dark, ear
vide eyes; soft, waving hair; white, well-for
and hands, and feet small enough even for o la
ave- She looked at him admiringly in spite of
who saucy emile and egotistical words, and,
ing her hand caressingly upon his arm,
Is ia said tenderly, yet proudly:
l. Il SNsN IN z