The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-09-03

and her laughing tones the Joy Of all And an
the bitter, bitter ho@e-sioknsas Of the home
less.
There was naught suggestive Of winter
curtained drawing-rooms whore were assem-
bled the gay visitors Of the Greys. Lily Grey,
fair as the spotless flower whose name abe
bore, sat at the piano, drawing forth soft
| tones, while conversing with Charles Russell,
the most honored guest.
lyon do not know how happy we are to get
SELL" said the blooming beauty.
Thank yoa, Miss Grey, although must
admit that almost regret returning home
prefer o residence abroad"
How .trangel but your friends, your
mother and sisters-"
"They manage to exist exceedingly we'll
s.ter me- Me- Miss Grey. my mGsh or and and
require my services or miss my presence; Ia
dies only miss those who contribute to their
pleasure in o selfish point Of view; 2 mother
who earns their bread; wife, the husband
who supplies her with the means of gratifying
her extravagant tastes"
You give us credit for but little of the dis
interested affection so commonly acknowl
edged to be possessed by woman" replied Lily
Grey, with tremor in her voice.
Miss Grey" said the gentleman politely, and
then changing the subject he continued, "Miss
Grey, where il your little sister Annief She
disappeared from the room before noticed
her departure. have present for her from
my mother, for whom she is named"
Annie has, presume, retired to the school:
hsHe nen to
by no means, Miss Grey; for, If your
mother will permit it, I viii derive extreme
pleasure from q visit to your sister in her re-
conversing with them when they are removed
from the restraint of grown persons society.
Have your permission to seek my mothers
| little namesake in the schoolroom ~
Certainly, Mr.. Russell" said the girl, in
naughty tones, and that was the end Of the
] tete-a tste that had been so skilfully planned.
! Russell approached the apartment he had
known in his boyhood the Grey school
room opening the door, he entered hastily,
when he perceived his mistake; it was not the
schoolroom, the occupant not little Annie
Grey.
Grace Murray started up at the sound af ap-
as the gentleman entered in the full glare Of
the gas-light. Surprised out of all reserve and
remembrance, she uttered faint exclamation.
e
Poor Grace! She trembled like an autumn
leaf rs Charles Russells warm, strong hand
closed SO firmly over her tiny palm.
"Grace, dear Grace, where has your bloc m
all gone why are You SO thin and pale, and
where have you been all these years
Vainly the poor girl tried to withdraw her
IL don't think you comprehend my
changed position, Mr.. Russell; ann only Mrs.
Grey's seamstress, you are her guest"
ters. But that is not the n question now
after your. parents DEATH"
Poor Grace! She gave very little attention
the evening; so absorbed was she and til Q
friend of her childhood in "reminiscences of
olden and happier times, that they conversed
until the tea-bell summoned the gentleman
below.
"Charles, you must go now, and fear a
remain, )" said the blushfng girl, and her hollow
cheeks glowed with delicate peachy pink.
Wrong! we'll differ with you, but come,
Graey slow me to escort you to tea tho +.,,o
with the family"
"Not good enough to eat with them! All the
daughter of an eminent physician, the grand
ed a seat at the table with the family of re-
tired taitor!n and the astonished young man
descended the stairs.
finish her task she had worked four hours,
when the rustling of heavy silken robes at
tracted her attention and Mrs. Grey entered
"Miss Murray, you will oblge me by laying
aside your work and quitting the house imme-
dately. Here is your weeks wages"
Grace looked up in surprise.
"Do you comprehend met 1 say leave this
| house without delay; yet stay-if You desire
your breakfast before going, you can go to the
kitchen and eat with the cook, if she will al
|
table,"
"Mrs. Grey, what mean you'" aud poor
Grace caught at the table for support.
Although 1 feel under no obligations to
state my reasons for discharging you, have
no objections to letting you know am aware
of your ndelcate conduct last evening in re-
ceiving into your private room strange gen.
tleman. 1 really shudder when think such q
creature has so long been an inmate of my
house; but / am to blame for ever placing con-
fidence in Catholic. l should have known
their evil tendency"
Mrs. Grey, you do not comprehend the
true state of affairs for the sake of the gen.
tleman, if not for my own, ALLOW ME to explain:
Had been SO imprudent as you imagine, 1
would indeed deserve your severest censure,
) but Charles Russell is an acquaintance, dear
ing last evening was purely accden tal, and
A likely story" interrupted the enraged
r house; you are even baser than thought
seeking tie hide your shame by falsehood."
e There was no further remembrance from the
. patient lips of the gentle orphan. Silently
: she went from the luxury and warmth of the
1 rich mans house Into the binding whirls o.
r snow, homeless and almost penniless but she