The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-01-07

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The - L - Isishs q itses6oynent
when thSy !As eppssite 80 OF the
Gusrdar salhsns1 ~ soiSen cord apa gilded
buttons, With sa6lu6S of sask sn Sieve OF
sssns Hove manu- q e ~
were to Be- stained win bYosS. Or torn and
tsttered with shot and shelI, uaattered little
then then Eyes fsshsd bright and ehsshs siSw loved
and eolcrlees on viresnia's b.ttle-plains. -
"Dudley looks ~ though bored to death"
was 0'Nsils malicious Comment, - all eyes
turned towssds the handsome soidiss. u,,. m.
OF her bracelets, which had caught upon the
buttons Of his cost.
Tho diamonds ON Emmas neck and arms
giittsred like stars, and her black, velvet dress
contrasted we'll with her clear complexion,
and S::E, 1uzusi.as hssr. TIE radiant face and
sparkling smile Of the hefress Of the house, the
rspt and courteous manner Of the soldier,
Eeonoras eyes and made her words and actions
quick and nervous. no..
"What shall We do Z" che asked. my
go and look for her-in my fathers ROOM"
Ellen pressed tho hand Le0nora laid upon
her own, for she felt how hard it was for her
to revisit . spot 90 sacred in its memories. -,
was O'Neil's simple remark, conveying at once
SO much Of sympathy and interest in the trial
before her and of desire either to aid or pro-
tect her, that she understood him fully
1t 10 my duty to seek my mother, and
must 60 about it bravely." Stepping resolutely
ont of the little group, she hurried, on her
mission of love, across the street:
They saw her slender figure in its black
mourning dress, enter the brilliant hall, and
fit noiselessly away, up the wide and elegant
staircase.
bered door, a feeling of dread, an apprehension
of evil. seized her mind and cansed her limbs
to tremble.
The room was dimly lighted by tho star
toilet table. She know, by her frst, quick
glance, that this was now Emma's room.
Every vestige of her fathers sad history had
been removed, while q hundred little, costly
trifies told of it's occupation by her vain and
heartless sister. Handsome dresses, Aeecy
laces and dainty ribbons were scattered over
the bed and chairs, while on the marble OF the
bureau lay an open jewelry box with tho Inn
press only Of its shining contents, resting on
its satin lining. Ali she knew we'll on whose
neck and arms the brilliant gems were flashing
hushed her breath to listen but NO sound dis
turbed the silence round her. She saw the
rejection of her own pale face within the
mirror, and heard Emma's little watch ticking
regularly upon the mantle-piece.
mother! mother!" she whispered, "are
yon heres"
No answer was returned--the stiffness re-
NAMED unbroken. She went towards the bee,
passed her hands over the silken dresses and
lifted up the heavy shaw1s.
"She cannot be herew she thought, "she
would surely answer me-"
She remembered the lamp and went towards
it, determined to raise the flame aud search
the room moro thoroughly.
Even as she decided upon this, she said
aloud:
"Dear mother, why would yon hide from
me ~ when she heard Emma's voice at the
foot Of the stairs and then her rapid tripping
The impulse of the moment was to screen
opened inward, she stepped behind it for
shelter.
It was indeed Emma's room, for she walked
into il with all the quiet dignity of ownership,
and, lifting the flame of the lamp, sent q glow
over the apartment, which was reflected back
her neck and arms.
She had left the ballroom to add new charms
to her beauty, for she combed out and curled
ened with light and skillful touch the rosy
tints upon her cheeks and lips.
Satisfied at last with the bright reelection in
her mirror, she determined to see if every fold
Ct her velvet dress hung with proper grace.
Taking the lamp in her hand, she placed it on
the floor, aud then stepped back, until the
faithful glass presented an image so bright
dress.
In Leonora's generous heart there was no
feeling Of envy as she, too, looked upon the
beaatiful vision before her. On the contrary,
ing for her tender greeting, while gentle memo
ries of their early years came thronging thick
upon her.
As she stood there, gazing on Emna's lowell
ness, she forgot for q moment why she was in
the room, and remembered only tho past and
all its touching associations.
She forgot how heartless that sister had
proved herself, how her selfish nature had cast
aside all ties Of blood and affection, and how,
even at this instant, no thought of her SORROW
ing mother ruffied the serenity Of her brow or
disturbed tho glad feelings of triumph at her
heart.
Emma, unconscious that any eyes were upon
her, turned gracefully frem side to side, fling
ing out the folds of her heavy dress and toss
ing back the long ringlets from around her
glowing cheeks.
Then, motionless, like a beautiful statue,
with parted lips, and one white. rounded arm
raised, as though to note the flashing of the
gems upon it, she stood for while feasting her
eyes upon her own loneliness, and, more vain
than Narcissus, worshiping q well-known
image.
just then Leonors saw q figure glide noise
lesely from among the folds of the curtain on