The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-11

Mn. Dudley, unable to kneel beside her
child, though seated In her damask enai. S~n
her ns1 sos thra one 3
Domenichino's Madonna at the foot q -
Cross. All her love and grief seemed concen-
trated in her straining eyes. Her hands ~~.o
clasped together in an iron grasp OF resigna.
ton, and her very lips appeared to hold sns
breath suspended in that unconscious trance
\ Of hopeless, anxious dread.
hiding his anguish within the folds OF her so n
| hair, while his whole frame trembled Win tno
great sobs from his heart.
| Kates arms were around her mothers form,
but her streaming eyes were turned Lovingly
towards her sisters face She feit tnae vuo
sufferer in the chair had need of her young
strength to hold her up ana yss st Gr1 nearer
to the loved one breathing there, SO stills"
low.
There were other figures in the room BE,
fore the altar, which the lamp burned
dimly now in the evenings brighter glow,
knelt Ellen. From her alone came the low,
sweet, mournfnl words, petitioning Heavens
help for the dying girl: Through the silent
| fathers sobs, calming tie listers anguish, ana
Strengthening the mothers breaking heart;
Jim, silent picture of despair, crouched at
the foot of the couch, now and then rocking
his head in noiseless woe, or shrinking ont OF
notice though fearful of intruding upon
grief so sacred as this.
1--WE are gong-SOon-tO that-Detter lond.
Arc we not, fathers
It was Blanche who spoke aud Mr.. Dudley,
strong in his great atiliction. answered:
eve are almost there. my darlingp
1--WE shall be free there to sing-our South
ern songs to breathe our Southern air-to
cheer our southern boysw
Her mind was wandering now. She was
dreaming of that other land to which the
morrow shonld have carried her.
"We shall all be happy there. We will be
at home againw
There was deep silence once more, and Ellen
resumed her plaiutive supplication, beseecbinS
Her whose heart u sword of grief had pierced.
to aid the struggling soul; softly imploring
Him who formed His creature to have mercy
on her now.
A few gasping signs told that the awful
moment was approaching when what call
Life ceases to be, and Death sets his seal on
what belongs henceforth to him alone.
A mute agonzing look passed from one to
the other of the weeping group. Mrs Dudley
raised her hands to Heaven, and Ellen knew it
was time to say the prayer for the departing
, soul: but scarcely had she uttered the first
words, so full of sublime Faith and glorious
Hope, when Blanche rallied and tried to speak.
Consciousness had fully returned. The
fading eyes looked lovingly around upon the
well-remembered faces, resting for moment,
as though to bid farewell, upon each one
then, turning towards her mother, she said:
Mother, 30" must bid me go. 1t lis only
| right that ) our voice should give me back-to
| Him WIZ gave me once to you"
The difficult breathing. the cold, damp fore
head, oil heralded the parting hour, and Mrs.
Dudley noan 1s.la aloud in agony of soul
first came to yon-l an waiting now for you to
bid me so to HIM.
Hates arms chung fondly round her mother;
| for the slight form trenibled before the sacri-
fee demanded of her, and the hands pressed
| themselves together in a tirmer clasp.
Mr.: Dudley a3 y raised his head. and read the
the serene, peaceful waiting look of his idol
lied child, and he whispered andibly:
away. Blessed be His nane!"
She Understood. Her usband's voice told her
Of courage, obedience, and what . Christians
faith could do SO summoning all her feeble
strength, she said, in clear, sweet tones:
miserable world! In the name of God the
Father Almighty, who created thee; in tho
name of JESUS Christ, the son of the living
God, who suffered for thee: in the name of the
Holy Ghost, who sanctifed theew
..Ths weak, white hand raised itself to form
once more the saving sign efthe Cross, and as
the name of the August Trinity thrilled upon
the silence around there fnttered from the
parted lips the single word 'Amenw
The mother bowed her head, and, with al
most superhnman courage, murmured:
81 give thee back to God, my own, my
darling child"
AS the last word dropped from the mothers
lips, y CLEAN of sunset glory shed its halo
round her fair, white brow.
a smile of perfect peace lit up the pallid
face, the white hands fell listlessly across the
breast, the sweet lips trembled with u last.
long sgl-and Blanche passed out-beyond
the shores of Time.
She was FREE with Colts own freedom now
Her exile was over. Peace and victory were
hers ut last.
Mr.. Dudley sprang to h;s>wife's side, as her
poor, tortured heart gave way, and received
her in his arms.
Kate flung herself upon her knees, beside the
lifeless form, while Ellen, angel of help as she
ever was, gently closed the CLASSY eyes, and
creased the cold dear hands whose work had
ceased on earth for evermore.
Seeing an officer in full uniform standing in
the room, and not recognizing Clifford Owen,
Mr.. Dudley said, bitterly:
ave are ready, now. Do your worst
There can be no suffering in store for us greater
than this"
To be contnuedJ