The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-18
(Contlnued.) 5
CHATTER XXI.
Il Long Adicu.

my course 10 plain. hcauy, no aGue0. P.sning
back the hair from his fine forehead, cit
seemed to me had grown stupid during tie
His deep voice trembled, aud his eyes filed
with tea1e - he looked down upon the group
before him. In another moment he was gone.
:, Blanche had. arranged everything with her
Ather before her death. Seeing that her time
ted n follow them into exile, shs had implored
her father not to delay his departure on her
account: ssPlease, dear father. for poor mothers
own sake. take her away from here so soon as
Thus &c happened that, the next morning,
WHOM Col. Owen presented himself to Mr..
Dudley and hsnded him the official document
revoking the order for his banishnlent and
granting him full liberty to "remain In the
city until further orders" the proud old gen.
tlenAn refnsed to accept the favor.
neither asked for nor desired thie,o he
said, Rlancing over the paper. eve will fol-
low our dear child this afternoon to her last
resting place, and thence we go to the
:" INF. Dudley, think of your poor, suffering
wife-this Treatment on your part win kill
"Is 10 for her sake that co. She can then
hear ct least from her son, and this will afford
hahn aud healing to her bleeding heart.n
(" Che will miss the comforts of her elegant
home; she win sink under the privations of
"Col. Owen, she is willing aud anxious to
go. Say no moro on this subject. While 1
live. shs shaii not know what the word hard.
ship' means." fsrg's
"Bnt you may be taken away from her.
How can You answer for your own health and
strength Let mo entreat of You TO stay !:
give up this mistaken notion of patriotism
Enough, STRIP thundered Mt. Dudley, step.
ping back from his astonished visitor, and
pointing him towards tho door. 81 hare taken
an oath to cause and to a country honor !;
Col. Owen wastes his breath when he speaks
to me of any other"
" Tho Southern cause is hopeless, Mr.. Dudley.
As q friend, speak In your own interests.
You will regret this step-you will deplore
this decision"
"a good cause is mover hopeless. We may
Justice never can be lost ~
Az least, do not expose your feeble wife and
delicate daughter to the trials and danger in
cidental to a state of war. Already has Nicks-
burg fallen and victorious army, in its
march through tho country, may not respect
the innocent and helpless. Stay at home, and
Hush, siriv was the proud retort; II de-
spisc your cowardIy suggestions; your base
plans Of ignominious ease and dishonorable Sc
oarity, while the best blood ofSur sons u pour
moro to risk and more to lose, would part
with all rather than breathe this polluted air
ono day longer than tho time allowed me by
your masters orders. Say no moro, or shall
forget that am not yet Free
.sYou are free, MT Dudley" said the young
man, sadly, free to overwbelm me with your
aCCHSaSlOubt
fers Of assistance; free TO reject my proaered
hand-free to wound and break my heart"
Mr.. Dudley had forgotten every other feel
ing in that of patriotism,but Clifford Owen
saw, in the excited speaker, only his early
benefaetor, his once gay.hearted friend, the
father of her whom he still loved.
Clifford n said the old gentleman, touched
unexpectedly and most deeply by this rare dis
play of feeling ON the young mans part, II
wish we two stood side by side in this strange
struggle. Bnt you would not have it so, my
boy; you would not have 1t So"
No, sir Not'while have any honor left,
can even synpathize with this rebellion!"
The documentary truce was over-the bridge
of kindly feelings had been withdrawn, and
as darkly as before. Mr.. Dudlcy~turned to
leave the parlor--
"Will yon give me permission to see my mo-
ther-and KeGe-once moro ~
"You know where to find them, Clifford"
Answer me only one more question, Mr.
Dudley. It shall be my last"
great agitation.
Mr.. Dudley turned. and looked at him en-
quiringly.
ored wife, will you refrain from opposition
from reproof-from bitterness-from hater
"Cliford Clifford My sons life hangs on Q
have to lean upon! And yet-if she truly loves
You, IL she desires to be your wife, If her hap
pinose is entwined with yours, If You are real
~ dearer to her than father, mother, country
ton, but prayers, kind wishes, fathers bless
ing shall be both yours and hers"
"Oh, Mr.. Dudleyw exclaimed the young
man, falling on his knees while he seized the
trembling hand extended towards him, you
have conquered now! You have won son, a
friend foreverp
"Wait till you have seen her, Clifford" said
Mr. Dudley, plying the proud heart that
would not give up hope: "she is by her sis.
above. ''seek her, speak to her; you have but
little time to lose"
As Clifford entered the darkened room, he
saw Kate kneeling by the white form of the
dreamless sleeper. A few wax candles burned
before the altar; and the air of the room was
heavy with the perfume of flowers scattered
around and over the dead girl. -
She seemed most like q flower herself, so
young, 10 pure, 80 fair; and rs he looked down
upon she marble cheek and dropping eyelids,
he felt that such death was. not one over
which the heart should grieve, nor the eyes
rain bitter tears.
She had but passed through O gateway of
roses into tho fuller, lovelier light of Gods un
, fading bowers. She bad but exchanged the
transit0ry pleasures of this chequered life, for
the precious boon of never fading bliss
4. Ard yet, while he gazcd, how sharp q pang
Hahof through bis heart "a -ho thnuchk tNHkns