The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-04-07
TEN YEARS AFTER.
CHAPTER I,

Bertha Hanbury had entered upon her TWEEN
ty-frst year, though few would have deemed
her more than seventeen. At the date at
which we present her to you, gentle readers.
she was betrothed to Hugh Chambers, o gen.
tleman of fortune and family, whose qualities
of mind and heart endeared him to all who
of o mean or unworthy action, possessed of q
mild and agreeable temper, gentle in manner,
and courteous to all there was little matter
self the object of his special homage, vel
coined his attentions with pleasure, aud ulti-
mately grew to love him with all the strength
of her nature. She was herself very beautiful,
not critically 80, bnt lovely, not much in the
lustre of her dark eyes, and the marvellous
freshness of her compe us in the light of
soul which animated her countenance, lending
it q charm which neither age nor time would
efface.
The face of Bertha Hamburg had also anoth-
er beauty, the most striking, perhaps, that the
Creator bestowed, viz, the divine impress of
goodness.
People said these two were singularly we'll
suited to each other. that their marriage
the most ill-natured gossips refrained from
uttering any evil orebodings as to their future
lot. Yet one shadow doomed even on their
bright horizon; a shadow destined to obscure,
perchance darken the sun of their lives
They did not worship at the same altar.
The late Doctor Hanbury had been devout
Catholic. and when, some years previous to
the opening of tue narrative, he had felt the
approach of the dread messenger, he had called
his little girl to him, and, nlacing his hand
lovingly upon her head, had said, with i'm
had remained deep in her heart, dearest Ber-
tina, am about to leave you ; our good God
. calls me to Himself. May He in His mercy
watch over and protect you. leave you one
injunction, on which, dearest child, our future
meeting may mainly depend. Never abandon
Tor aught this world can bestow the faith of
Gods Church, and should you have to choose
between it and earthly happiness, be firm to
that Holy Mother to whose care l commit
you.
Had it been given to the dying man to pene-
dancers and trials to which that dear one
would DO subjected 1t may have been even so;
for many things. doubtless. are permitted for
wise ends by the mercful yet mysterious
Providence which rules the veriest triies of
our lives
No trouble had, however, rs vet married the
brightness of Bertha's life, save that which
deprived her of n loved father. 1t was true
Mr.. Chambers was Protestant, but this diff
Guilty had been met in the early days of their
acquaintance, by the prudence of Mrs. Hamburg
who was scarcely less SOLICITORS touching her
daughters spiritual wsll-being than her hus.
band had been. Hugh, naturally liberal midi
ed, and free from the smallest particle of bigo-
continue in the practice of her religion. and
thus the one great obstacle had been over
come hence the course of true love in regard
70 MI; Champers had so far run smoothly
enough, and its roseate tints had been.uncloud-
ed to both.
Christmas of 1S-was the period fixed for
their union, and as yet they had only reached
the middle of August. One very ugly old
spinster had, indeed, ventured to remark that
"there was many slip between the cup and
the lip" which observation drew down upon
her such q torrent of reproaches from the
many friends of Bertha, that the lady never
repeated the offence, and SO every one grew to
look upon the marriage of Mr.. Chambers aud
Bertha Hamburg ms q fact, az certain any
thing could be in this mutable world. So also
thought those most concerned but, alas of
how little are we really certain here below
The golden sunlight of an autumn evening
lighted mp one of the fairest landscapes to be
seen. Hills crowned with miles of noble for
est trees, upon whose slopes waved golden
corn fertile valleys watered by meandering
streams; smiling villages nesting in the
woods and rich pastures; all reflected the
glory of the God of day, and stood out in
holder relief in the tempered yet gorgeous
light. Such was the coup fGil which met the
gaze of the two lovers, as they stood together
beneath the grand old porch of tho country
mansion in which Mrs. Hamburg dwelt. And
it must be confessed that the picturesque
abode, with its turrets crowned with ivy and
its castellated angles-aid not add so much
charm to the landscape as did those two young
faces; hers uPturned to his with loving,
trusting look, and his glancipg down upon her
with q stronger and a deeper love, it may be