The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-01-14


g. T. ELDER
tcontinued.>
CHATTER XIV.
Affection and Duty.
The saerrment in Mr.. Latrobe's parlors died
sss. came from the %o.heSs lips, and whom the
carriage rolled away with its motisnless
harden, the guests within the room, looked at
eeeh other with silent horror in their faces.
They little knew every part of tho fearful
drama; but the gay scene, with its lights and
flowers, its costly gems and joy.inspiring
music seemed little in keeping with tho sad
left their impress ON the shining walls. and
whose despafring cry had sounded above all
usiss Of melody or nirth.
fell over all assembled in the house and
which gathered men with anxious faces and
The Guards" had been ordered off Z This
tiexlar could tell but curiosity and excite
sneut were depicted on every face, and hurried
enquiries passed from mouth to mouth. Only
. few moments were spent in conversation,
however, for long before Uncle Pete dreamed
Of going to bed that night, every guest had
departed, and only Emma and her grandfather
eat "within the banquet halls deserted"
Old-Lstrobe,s brow was gloomy, while
strange thoughts ran riot through his mind.
He had learned from Emma the cause and man
pity in his heart for the poor sufferer, there
wa deep regret for an occurrence that would
oe the nine days wonder Of his guests and ac-
4quAintances
Emma's silly soul was Alled with only one
distracting thought: It was Leonora, who had
been EMBODIED In Willie Dudley's arms, and for
wh:se sake he had left her side tonight.
Che, the belle of the ballroom, the heiress
Of all tho wealth around her, had seen her
poor, neglected, humbled sister, borne off in
che strong arms of him whom she loved as
snsch as her selfish nature could love any
Ne. 1t was not love she felt for Willie Dud-
ley, although she called the feeling by that
rnaaae. He was the most desirable among her
Seaux for 2 husband; handsome, young and
very wealthy, and she had set her heart upon
him - her own most coveted possession. She
1eat now that Dudleys love was all given to
hes sister, and thatthe prize she thought with
otAer. Her heart swelled with Indignation
against Dudley for his faithlessness, as she
ser%ed It and with hatred against Leonora,
their mutual Affection. She had heard Of the
I.anor, calling off "the Guards" to active SER
vice and this news brought her some consoia-
Eight DO able to change their condolences into
distrust, their joy to sorrow, their love to in
diderance and thus restore her own bright
hepes, reclaim her own, lost prize.
Xhe, Eemembrance Of her mothers critical
condition occurred, indeed, to mind but it
as DO intimately connected with her own
disappointed feelings, that it dwindled into q
the furtherance of her plans had been her
beauty, grace, her youth and wealth tonight Z
IL. lie had stood beside her and whispered fat
the mszes of the dance, had ciasped the
bracelet on an arm, he said, that fairer than
its diamond ciuster-anda oil the while his heart
W soos be psrtsd ass her
Cont thought and when her grandfather
now mach her heart was like his own.
nlivo1 fhov - -
nora and young Dudley, and like Emma, had
felt thwarted in his plans. He could not
brook the thought that she who had meekiy
accepted the care of her widowed mother and
with 1t, poverty, suffering, loneliness and con-
tempt should Thus, in spite of him, be raised
At once by Dudley's love to ease and affluence,
happiness and esteem.
He did not hate Leonora his moor son,s child
nor did he care to see Emma, Dudley's wife
but his cruel heart grieved over any event, cal
"enisted to benefit his despised daughter-in-law,
had learned tonight.
he too had heard the report respecting "the
Guards" and he smiled maliciously at the
daughter's wedding day would thus be indefi-
nitely postponed.
As this pleasaat thought shone out upon his
|tsce, he dexteronsly caught at, and secured a
poor mosquito, which he crushed between his
.thnmO aud finger. Then as he reflected that
the, poor pretty, silly actress had played per-
naps Aer last part upon lifes stage he dropped
oAo uuau shoSCt upon inc uoOr anu SET MS loot
upon 1t.
Dudley did not leave Mrs. stanton's till late
that night. Apprehension for Mrs. Latrobe
and sympathy for Leonora bept him near the
place, although he could do nothing but pace
the terrace and look ut the stars.
Ellen, however, was the minstering angel
to both Leonora and her mother. Her hants
bound tue bandages round the sufferer, and
touched with gentle GOODNESS the parched and
quiveripg flesh. 1t WAS her voice that encour-
aged the trembling girl and soothed the poo,
moaning figure on the bed. 1t was she who
whispered TO Leonora, when the Doctors
guarded expression gave them little hope:
Go, speak to him upon the terrace. 1t will
do you good to hear his voice."
And rs Leonora went towards him and fel.
his arms thrown protectingIy around her, she
realized the truth of Ellen's words.
This brings US nearer to each other,
darlingp
Alb, yesl she could not doubt this now. All
dstrust of him-all fear of Emma's influence
were bsnished by his words, and her heart felt
cslmed even in the midst of her great anguish,
She did not, could not lipger long beside
him; but as she left the terrace, she turned
once moro to catch his football as it rang along
che walk. He, too, turned and saw her there
fRa1 huc1 fun ofa