The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-18

Ellen had persuaded Mrs. Dudley 70 rest In
her sons room, end Col Owen was snas alone
side her. and emcirciins her siendsr form with
his arm. There came no answer; ana ne knew
by her gentle breathing. and tho pesoef1l look
upon the face now laid SO near her sisters that
'n ao ~s' s sssRi she w.si Worn With sh.
ndssS ie s the s~ sie sister death
whom artists love to picture. Sleep and
DEATH What was the STRANGE mysterious dif.
gether
His time was short, or he couldhave gazed
a. the
murmured-.sSweet sisteri thine shall be the
first. y cannot disturb thy rest nor make
Then bending lovingly over the fair sleeper,
he pressed his warm lips to her cai"' wnite
The touch had magic in it. She rose, fully
awake and conscious. His kiss had told her
more than his words might do; and she knew
that his heart was full of love, Of hope, OF
Sic read it too in his earnest. kindring look.
in the fitting Joy that seemed to touch for a
moment and brighten all his face, in the thrill
ling, indescribable feeling that fingered in his
Kate, my darling! Your father bade me
seek you here-gave me full permission to
speak all my love, and assured me, dearest,
prayers, his blessing would approve your
choice and rest upon our union."
| She was very calm--too calm, as she listened
to his deep, earnest words: he tsi T.. that lat. 1t
than to reach the deeply hurried feelings OF her
And why this action on my fathers part :
| Are youother than whom last we met"
| There was o CLEAN of eager anticipation in
her sonl-lit eyes, though her words were pas
| ST. - Ian ,..s,h.,~.a ,,y dor,;,o axcapt
in my great love for You. That grows deeper
ard stronger day by day. o, Kate" he ex-
claimed, tendeIly "soospt tho gift offer .S you
/ you. lay IL again at your dear feet, and i'm
word Of love-"
came Looking mp into her face, he saw the
| large eyes filed with tears, the pale lips quiv
ering with emotion, the delicate frame wayer-
however, she 1notioned him off, while her
tinot and musical: "CliFord Here in the
preesnes Of my dead sisteI.in these last FEY. few
you must hear. Do not be deceived by your
own bright hopes. There is 2 gulf between
us, and We stand forever separated! You would
have me forget home, country, mother, father,
brother, honor, pride-all, to be your wife,
You-man though you be-do not AJAX Of your
own heart so great q sacrifice. Shamei To ex-
poet so much from poor. weak woman"
Her voice was full Of scorn and yet he
| knew she loved him.
"were it not for this quholy war;" he said,
| :you would now be mine."
'"You put it wrongly" she replied. ut is
not the war that sewers us. Your own hand
| has done the deed"
what would you have me'do What 1s'it
that you ask of met"
Resign your commission, return to your
profession, restrain at least your hands from
our peoples blood. and then-then--"
bright, soft blush spread itself oveVBper
pale features, while Col. Owen exclaimed
| Go on-Read all the sentence, Kate. Let
me hear my DOOM"
"Cold, cold hearth" no muttered bitterly.
You ask Of me everything except life. That
I could give without q murmur; but you touch
lf s' EVEN no% he wen afe on a9 rapidly
| am tainted with cow artice, with love of ease,
with q Partially for bomb-proof positions
| cause ! shrank from active service. You knov
why I have acted thus, and yet yon would
have me do still baser, meaner deedsw
"Then let us say farewell" was the quiet
answer: eff it is any consolation to you in this
parting hour, may not deny to you that too
suffer deeply, that too love- where love is tor
ture that 4 too find life an easier boon to part
"Blessed words! Then at least shall have
the bliss of knowing that you will mover give
your hand to any other living man."
/ Poor Clifford-His heart-was SO true to her
They were both true to each other, but truer
still to the cause each deemed SO holy.
az shall never marry How could when
have no heart to giyes'
She flung herself beside the calm, uneon-
scious body of her sister, and wept bitter Bit
ter tears.
How much they were to be pitied!
He stood beside the trembling girl, as proud,
as loving, and sorrowful as she.
I'VE are so unhappy, Katep'
l. 1t sounded like wall. Like Adams cry
when banished from his Eden. Like Jasob's
when instead of love and Rachel, he found his
| labor paid by Leah and bitterness.
Yes! yesw che answered. But l should
not be happier as your wife. I am, indeed, an
exile's daughter and all my hope, my Joy, my
golden treasures are in the bright home Of the
past" 80.
She held out her hand to him. 1t was her
| farewell.
He stopped aud kissed it, folded it against
his breast. then threw it from him with q
>groan of anguish as he said "This, this
give my country Let no man dare pretend to
| . higher gift than minew
| AS he left the room, Clifford met Mrs. Dud-
| ley leaning on her husbands arm. She was
going to take her last look of her angel
child. She gave her hand, but could not
speak, to the Colonel and he, who felt that
he had also looked his last upon his boyhoods