The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-28

'064AV DRSt OoHDAAs N0SN1AD -
quite impossible to discharge poor loving Ella
from the place she had SO long held In bis
heart. I can by no means cay, indeed. tset the
young man who had suffered 90 mnch from
poverty took possession of his birthright With
out pang, even were it only with regard to
the undetermined Herbert whom he appeared
TO be ousting out of what he might justly
whom he vainly begged would allow him to
share his fortune with himself. All such
pleadings were, however, in vain. His share
he argued, reminding him that he belonged to
the Church. and that the dearest dream of his
life had been realized on the day on which he
found his brother.
But let me return from my depression.
Time may seem to pass slowly, nevertheless,
the hour comes ut last For about the tenth
time in those two days Walter sanntered to
the station; not to be disappointed on this
occasion; oh, no, for we'll he knew the pretty
face, pale though it was, which smiled on him
| from the railway carriage as the train steamed
The next moment she was led by Walter to
o brougham which was in waiting, and thus
escaped the knot of idlers who had gathered
new equires bride was expected to come to
Ashleigh Thorpe one day during the week, and
| who had as persistently watched all lady corners
as much as even Walter himself.
A Joyous meeting you may be sure it was.
Despite her want of color and her fearful eyes,
| there was q look of quiet happiness in Mary's
coqntenance Bat many thoughts we're ssurg'n Is
| strangely linked together; her changed
position Walter, no longer poor and obscure,
but o rich landed proprietor. And his MOTHER
whom she would meet in a-few moments,
| would she really like her, she wondered, when
she came to know her And, withal, she was
full of gratitude-yes, that is the best word l
can use-of gratitude to Walter; good, clever,
noble Walter, who had boon constant to such
| poor little maid as she, when he had become
rich, and might have won the heart of some
| lady as we'll off as himself.
| So thought the Undetermined Mary; and
| then, as the road wound its way by Towering
hedgerows and smiling meadows, gay with the
harebell, and yellow daffodil, aud scarlet
| poppy, with dappled oxen reclining lazily on
I the soft grass, she could almost fancy she
beheld the poor Ella YEARLY trudging along
that dusty road with the baby in her arms, as
Lon the night she made her way down to Lon
don, twenty-f Eve years since.
Are you looking out for the Manor Hall
Mary I" said Walter, breaking the silence, fol
night, and of poor Ella; 4" well, now look q
little to the left and you will see its red brick
walls cleaning through the trees. But here
we are at the avenue; q few moments more
apd my pretty colleen will see her new home.'
Then there broke from Mary's lips an ex
clamation of delighted surprise, and she closed
her eyes, as if she doubted the Gne old English
mansion she beheld was really to be the
future homo of one poor she; and, as the
brougham stopped at the entrance. q lady
very much resembling poor Ella, came gra
Mary entered the hall, but descending the
steps, clasped her in her arms, and calling hel
her dearest Mary, led her into the hall herself
A right good welcome, indeed, did the por
tionless girl received from the mistress of Ash
lego Thorpe That night was one of quiet
glad converse with them all. The next da.
library, especially, received her attention, tn
very corner being specified in which the cradl
had stood on the night poor Ella had stole
away the baby. And Mary looked up with
| fiao fhaf anil f.1na of tha fnpu lost
thinking how odd it was that such poor littl
maid as she should be chosen for his wife
and, as pride had no part in her unassunin
nature, she did not conceal from the lady {
Ashlsigh the gratitude she felt that he shout
J have been SO faithful to his troth when sue
: bright days had dawned upon him:
0 "And why not, indeed 2" said his mothe
"Walter would have been undeservipg of th
o Providence which has restored to him h
birthplace had he neglected and forgotten yo
Bat now, Mary, listen to me: 1 am going
t "No, but joyfally to resign that charge or
10 to tho new young mistress; he," and here tt
. lady pointed to the priest, who was walkir
beneath the shady trees with Father Wi
a cent, "he is soldier Of the Cross, and vi
ID ever Heaven and his Supporters shall see At
10 send him. have no domestic ties but Walt
and yourself to you, on t the morning tn
8 you both in holy matrimony) shall give
n all rule at Ashleigh Thorpe; but I aha
I, not be quite deposed sultaness," she adde
'r with smile. 81 shall be bit of an susocr
.! in my way; 1 shall keep two rooms 1 most ha'
u favored, but shall join you and my long-lo
50 son at meals, sometimes. have grown som
IN what weaker than of old; may like to
alone. AT any rate my management ceases,
it ought to do. the day that makes you w.
ter,s wife"
And long may you live, dearest mother, o
pr happy, honored guest" said Walter, who u
N heard by either, had entered the library.
sc The next morning Father Herbert stood
~ the altar in the private chapel, and, assist
"a by Father Vincent, Joined in holy wedlo
~ those who had formed II strong attachment
II each other in the days of the sharpest advt
M sty, but had gone by different paths to 80
10 port those who had toied for them in the
IA helplesRness.