The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-09
From the Philadelphia Catholic Record
ALONE IN THE WOR D
THE CROSS BEFORE THE CROWN.
(Continued.}
CHAPTER III.
The Fruitless Search.

Nurse had entered the servants room full of t
encomiums on the goodness OF Miss Sra ,' =.
who was growing fractions, being about that {
epoch Of teething, in which baby,llfe suffers
more than usual. ~ really shall DO 9u,te
sure" she added in confidential tone; to her
own particular friend, Mrs. Forrester's maid,
t does ones heart go1d to see ne9 her
child, and nursing it, II say this between you
and me), almost as much as 1 90; really
the child comes to be weaned, only that !
heard Mrs. Forester say Miss Graham would
stay through the summer"
UAnd 40 YOU think, nurse, that MISS Graham
will take much of that odious task OF weaving
on herself" 81 am sure of it," replied nurse,
and then the conversation between the maids
ssllies Of the footmen, and the afternoon
refreshment Of tea was prolonged TN the
hands of tho clock pointed to half past six.
Baby sleeps longer than usual }" said nurse,
rising at the same time as her confdant, Jane;
showever, he is in good hands. BLISS dranam
has never rung for me-"
"Bring your work to my room, nurse, and
we'll have o quiet hours chat" replied jane.
Nurse assented and the two friends worked
away, though we are fain to confess much
more with their tongues than their fingers !;
and so it was that the material on which each
hands, whilst they each grew warm in the
recital of certain passages in their former lives
and their experiences since they had entered
flaws bless me, Jane" said nurse, at length
coming to q stop, " how dark it's getting
hour and q half and Miss Graham has never
ruug for me to take baby. She'll be having
her tea now, SO I'll bid you good bye. l don
want to veg her, for she really saves iAe uo'
of trouble" -.--
Away went nurse to the library, encounter
ing Gn M s w"E tea to tn
drawing-room, the door of which stood opei
revealing o handsome apartment, partially
yelled by the obscurity of the shades OF tn
AutumD evening,
Nurse" said a man. servant, who passed he
with q couple Of lighted wax candles, vii
you tell Miss Graham that her tea is waitln
for her she Is late tonight"
The always gloomy library, with its Ion
quite silent. When nurse opened the door, an
half in fear, though she afterwards oil
seEZsd, she knew not Why she ea0in aimed n
you sitting here all alone in the dark, and bal
There was no answer, and much terrific
she again called on Ella by name.
Still NO reply; and she was cropping
way to the cradle, when vague fear toe
possession of her mind and rooted on the sp
on which che stood, beside the table at whi'
Ella generally sat- but confident there was
living thing in the apartment besides neFse
she uttered o Shrek so loud that three of u
female servants rushed in at once to see VIII
was the matter.
xomon' two words on her lips" The bah.
the babyw and as she spoke, she rushed
the cradle, empty, alas! of its little occupan
pAooO
bled. "Where was Miss Graham where
was there was the infant" But nowhere W
she to be seen
Had she rambled about the grounds, wi
Master Wally in her armsf 1t was forlo
hope but it was just possible so two OF I
servants, accompanied by the footman, salli
forth in quest of her, while the others "a
sacked the house from roof to basement.
If they still entertained hope, 1t
quickly doomed to be destroyed. Elias ro'
presented o scene of perfect confusion. Iht
was . small note on the dressing-tab
directed to Mrs. Forester.
In the midst of this terrible dismay, I
noise of carriage-Wheels was heard, I
suddenly the sound ceased: Mrs; Forrest
wearied with her expedition, had tal
asleep but was reused by her huaband
claiming, as he angrily gave orders to
coaohTnan to stop, Inquire what John
these two women are about, parading
grounds with lighted lSnterns "
The next moment John stood at the Carrie
door and bowling respectfully, he said
oPloase, sir, Miss Graham and hastor ia
are both amissing. We are looking about
0nounds this half-hour. The fish pond, sir,
SouIdn't be likely-surely," said the N
SWhstever is the matter, RObertH" 81
Mrs.. Forester, languidly rising. What
those servants about, at this time in the ev
mgr ,.. nv a..r. There is SOmethi
,-ro1G. fear. It seems Ella is missing
~ Nm aeon for some hours.
e Ssraoicun H0avenP sid MIS-. Eorfee,
q ana &c 81 tiTlf&t fi1ce. hex 1lneeA Aethl