The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-25
sHsor the Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
MARDI GRAS:
"A. Tale of Ante Bellum Times.
by .Ttas. LxNKINwATER.

BY sEtas. LRNKJNwATER.
lContinued.I
CHAPTER XIII.
Hhe clerk at the Aston House directed one of
Ske servants to show Mary to parlor b, and as
che assembled the stairs she thought OF the
tiuao when she had visited the same place as
an apple girl, and remem boring the KIND re-
-eeption she had then received, wondered If she
would be fortunate on the present occasion. |
Tho servant pointed to the door, and then,
seeing her hesitate, stepped forward and gave |
. gentle knock on the door. Answering the
,sammo ms, given in a female voice, to " come |
in,n Mary entered the room and advanced |
low steps towards the lady, who arose to meet |
and then paused in the pleasant confusion s ION
Oh ~ she had brought the apples SO |
NJ WcDonafd- stood with the air of one
Who has met an old and dear mo- 1 Iona dor
I,s,,t chords of the heart with pleasant emo
81 on. yri,Ile the lips refuse to utter Inc Name
nd the mind races over me suen the vsitor
'ssrnsnr-st the friends that llveo III 'he yours
sSShsL gone. -, NJ,
ysrsDopald still admiring the beautiful lace
.ss.sd faultless figure of her visitor. Ma, .,,
Yes-if you please" replied replied Mary m cnms
rAS answer an advertisement"
eOh! yes-certainly. take a seat" and Mrs;
MeDeaasd placed a chair near the one she haa
sss<iseu from and now resumed.
<sYs the situation filledT Mary anXiousiy
;nau m - - NOT <, Mrs. Mcdonald replied,
"If 7 mn, n suitable -erson, 1 should like it
v-sery much" Mary replied.
what is your name?" asked Mrs McDon-
Mary Collins"
Mary Collins-Collins-exc me, but
zyour f,ce is very familiar" m,.4
You have forgotten me-" said Mary, put
-r-soui{ never forget your sweet face, and kind
encouraging manner. Many years ago, IN TINS
very ROOM if am not mistaken, brought you
&. basket of fruit and some change. You were
pleas ed with the poor apple girl and said
fnea words of Kindness that could not forget
-siserr."
eyes, yes, remember, we have often spoken
>sf that incident my husband and l. 1t was
natural that should not remember you, for
chen you We're little girl, now you are a
-s1onng lady," said Mrs. Mcdonald
"I am glad you remembe me now" replied
Yes. it is not that" said Mrs. Mcdonald
;,1usingiy. "the face is strangely familarzz-well
it must be some Imagination" then, she con-
stiuned, ''Mary, your mother. l remember you
speaking of her how is she :"
"She has been dead for many years." was
sshe sad reply.
said Mrs Mcdonald, 1.-THE greatest loss we car
c1u1eet here earth is the loss of a mother"
eyes, Madam, her loss was n terrible one t.
ssYou have received some education ~
Yes, Madam, through the kindness of
Hear friend, now unfortunately also dead,
During the next hour, Mary related in
simple strai ght forward manner, much of he
r.ast life, and in the narrative Mrs. McDonal
7Secarte mnch interested. After awhile NJ
SicDonald returned from morning walk, an
was introduced to Mary. He remembered
.77Iiei, it was mentioned by his wife, their tir'
meeting very well, and greeted Mary Vel
Kindly.
Rising and going 10 another part of the rooI
come here, Robert. want to speak to yon
Well, what is it p said he, smiling as
T.niDed her
sShe has come to that advertis
sunent," replied MIR. Mcdonald - hpt "
ssdopt a child aud | have now selected this ii
that is, if she will consent"
-''Have You thought we'll of 1T 7 he aske
eSz,ou htfully playing with her hand"
Yes-you know she is no stranger to us
s-epiied Mrs. Mcdonald, we know her to
ason est, her manner is good, she speaks al
nets like person of refinement, she is han
some and above all she is pure and innocen
az think So" was his deliberatIng rep
~Ayes, think SO, and l approve of 20
->iaoice."
But it must he as step-child, Rober
-szid his wife, ''if we take her she is ours :,
syus,t lie received and respected ms our CHI
zassd when We 40 hack to Louisiana I'M
s,slete the adoption according to the laws
osSNr State"
all that consent to, and may God bless II
TsEr,rHper y"nr chuice'
When the proposition was first made
iSdhtS +hr hnmNlS but firmly refused 1T
mcdonald Wa surprised aud gr"ved ut
'SheSprE'ed ret'mn tor her kindness, but
lost her heart 81 strongly ON he project, that
=arGed the chttd Tor her reasnf9s setting fo
an glowing c"lors all the advantages of
1noHe aud position al. had been offered.
-'S oar offer is one that Will ALWAYS ct!
SEuny reueu'l'rr,' = i'd Mary, white the "a
--,ac"'n'sed dom her checks, Z" and that VIZ
'ien rue why Hou mott said Mrs
LConald, pe,suasiveiy, whatever you Ray :
re tid..ntial"
4" I'll leave you to talk it over said Mr..
85ansld, as he arose to leave