The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-05-12

mother. that tie fair girl in question con
possibly be insensibie to the attractions Of h
ooy ana, indeed, the event proved that 81
nocent and frank . nature to play the coquet,
, with him who had risked his life for hers, an
snes3 Rre%nar,es for their marriage we,
On the morning preceding that on whic
! their bans were to be published, the sound q
orum was heard in the peaceful Valley q
I,ampan ana the project of the district pre-
claimed the drawing of conscripts for tn
army. Poor Juan his was amongst the frs
OF the selected names, and at the moment tn
s seeo nesfly stunned him However, he has
having calmly made the needful preparations
ne drew his betrothed aside and said .I,isteI
70 me, Marguerite: You promised to be mine
even n s1ins aIsy Tor some years. perhaps for
give you 5aoi our sra Voy yc1 should be free
and -" said the girls "will not take il
he a' here " a. our next meeting, Juan, will
trust, we are both looking, will never marry
any one but you" -"''
The young man pressed her hand in silence,
| But my mother " he said at length" Wills
two unwonted tears rolled down bis cheeks
port "a AVA n'- pup
e. "Your mother, Juan, J" interrupted Maruerit..
" is she not henceforth mine So lono ia Cod
gives me strength to work, our mother shall
not want n home" "'4'
=, AND 80, with mutual blessings and fond tears,
Cesar followed his master to the wars and
Gertrude, on the day of Juan's departure. teok
up her abode in Marguerite's cottage. The
%hie ten nana managed the domestic affairs,
eggs and poultry to market. In the EVENINGS.
as they both sat at their spinnine-wheels.t their
o. sn3y naturally turned on Juan:
Wv ars is ne is he doing while
anxiety was assuaged by the arrival of a let
Ier, nied with hope and tenderness; but at
1Te r. 9a one came which increased their sorrow
that his regiment had Just landed in Africa
and was Immediately to march on the town of
z Lsa'cna, where q number of insurgent Arabs
6a% 1nsre e1sa themselves: Some sharp
known to be desperate. Under this Affecting
intelligence, the two women found theis
Icons consolation III. in religonin committing
on her way to the town, Marguerite was &C,
customed to pause for few minutes at the
spot where she had first met her Ibetrothed, |
anu wnere' during the happy days of their
used to kneel beside that simple memento.
ana pray ferventy, nor did she ever arise and |
ana go on her way without feeling strengthen
"a and encouraged. |
Every evening, on her return her first nras
ION 10 Gertrude was: "Has Juan written 7"
ana !. Inc woman would silently shake her head
% mn1u a aespalrlng gesture, which seemed to
j, One day, as Marguerite was returning from
1,agnefes, she was overtaken by a violent
thunderstorm. There was no place of refuge
,ea.a tnan her own cottage; and with her
y the driving rain, she fastened towards it.
nat did she sect blazing, lightning.
tricken pile, surrounded Ivy q crowd Of VII
Mother" cried Marguerite, darling on
'ard where are You :"
cry OF agony from within the burning cot
age was the reply.
" Mother courapei III sora - H.; 80, |
on! AND before the astounded spectators
ould detain her, she rushed through The [
ames: A minute, which seemed an age of 6
gonizing suspense, elapsed, and Marguerite
appeared, dragging forth her pious burden. t
nd forming with her own body a rampant n
sai ms. the flames. Scarcely had she allowed c
10 oIo woman to fall into some of the arms t
lady to receive her, when the heroic girl sunk /,
own herself inanimate n
y" When she opened her eyes," continued the l.
l: she was in an apartment in my house, g
ude and had watched for three DAYS and e
rec nights by her bed, awaiting the moment p
returning consciousness. Her first sensa- tx
IN IN was that OF torturing pain in her face. h
enveloped in bandages as to leave oniy the
3uth and eyes free. A cry escaped her lips. sc
)h, remember the storm-the flames; I am
'fgured for life-is it not sofn
Gertrude and were silent. It was but too pI
le; the devouring element, leaving her body,
otected by her wet clothes, untouched. had hi
geo on ner race Inc beauty of feature and ed
icacy of complexion, which had procured
her her graceful sobriquet, were totally de- ia
Dyed. Vi
Until the bandages were removed, which the su
'geon did not as yet judge it prudent to do, pc
could not tell the extent of the disfgure- re- -.
mt, but that it would be very great was GER sr
n. Our silence, and the tears which we s so
lid not repress, acquainted the poor child ny
ii her misfortune. She raised her eyes to w.
wen with touching expression of resigna- W.
n. e It is Thy will, my God" she said, 'but wa
not Juan see me thus" q"
Juan ~ repeated Gertrude; eve shall soon an an
brace him. hi:
Is he comingf"
In ten days-see yourself" She handed az az
er to Marguerite, which the latter read with cu1
erness. 1t was written by the hand of one
lis comrades, and Informed them that Juan, Ia d
, had received q severe wound at the siege Se 81
laatcha, was convalescent in the hospital =
obtained as reward for his services, a 49,.
g of merit, his discharge and pension. and pre- pre-
Id be with them in ten or twelve days at an l
hest. wa
aviug finished reading the letter. Mar e eel
rite fell into profound reverie, from which ran
her Gertrude's fond caresses nor my at t her
pts at consolation could arouse her. "Oh. oy
said she at last, it is not, indeed it is not ois
is own sake that value beauty but-but ma
can Juan love ma when ha saas mo 4, +b;a wax