The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-09
From the Ravus du Monde catholique !
VALENTINE.
IN FOUR CHAPTERS.

"Fraukly, my dear friend, tell me, is she
not charmingi Does shs not lend q certain
srace to her white dress, and brilliancy to
e, bloc ,iSb o.,.n L she not tho prsttst
And my Alfred, dear Madame de Guers,
docs he not look we'll by her sidei Are there
many young men in our village who appear to
seeh advantage near this fair and graceful
''What yon say is true, my friend. We have
Soth of us, thank God, fine childreu-noble,
yistuous, and good; and hope they will be
They will mako o very handsome couple,
nj all events" concluded NJ. Maubars, rob.
Sing his hands and smiling contentedly'
Thus spoke two old friends, rs they sat
quietly, one summer evening, in tho shadow
of the hop-vines of n pretty green arbor, and
talked away in this simple, lively, and joyous
manner, while they observed their children as
walks. ' sD'N
Whom people have passed fifty, and known
snch other since they went to the same hchool
N childhood, and during the long succeeding
same place, they are very apt, whom talking
segether, to speak openly from their hearts
especially if those hearts are filled to tho
Azim and running over with justifiable pater-
9al pride and motberly tenderness. And it
was true that dear Alfred the only and cher
nhed son of M Mau6ars, was handsome, hon
sst, active, and gifted and, thanks to the for
sAne which he would inherit, would one day
take his place among che most respectable citi-
Aons of the province. As to Madame dc Guers
shis fair and worthy old lady, with white hair,
N whom all the select souls of the little town
saluted and recognized sister, all the poor a
hoAefaetress. and all the afflicted o friend, abe
lad never been n mother. She had married
l1to, less from inclination than duty, to obsy
Dvow Of her parents and fulfill family pro-
pot abe had cared for, with an admirable
Asvotion, and supported with . no less admir-
able equality of temper, the precocious mfr
Dities and frequent brusqueres of NJ. dc
Ssuers who, as former captain of q vessel,
had lived q silent, sombrs, deserted life in nm
old cold looking deserted little house on tn.
aAine brighter for her, and the radiant senti-
@SDt OF an unknown happiness mingled with
ber tears and her regrets, one of the friends
q her childhood, poor widow, ia dying CON
hded to her tho education and Guardianship
ID her deserted infant. What complete hap
9inesS, what d recomPense for all the sunless
Soys, the gloomy and heavy hours, so faith
Fally supported! NJ. de Guers though very
u at the time, consented to receive the child
On condition as lie added peremptorily, that
ose should he kept very neat, and make no
Aese,. TINS his precise and solemn declaration
aSe little Valentine seemed to understand
shat was expected of her, and, though stir |
ing, vigorous, and lively, rarely n rent was |
esen IN her little Indian silk, never a spot ON
Dor red lips nor her cherubic forehead When
Me- happened to fail, she smothered her sobs |
and cries; wien sho remembered tho past, |
sbs wept low for her mother-and all this NOT |
- displcasC tho old gentlemen shut mn in lie |
SsNo paflor, whcro he contemplated with as |
t"aishment mingled with pity and rcsnect his |
sTc unfortunate legs done up in flannel Time
shI!dhood, aud natural gaiety combining. the |
SstIe girl began even to find herself perfectly
A9PPy in this old house where she was cher |
aAsd, and nothing left undone for her needs, |
SYr games, or her repose.
Need wo say that her adopted mother was
A0pPy! At the end of the long nights for
SsDt of sleep aud suffering that she pass.
~ with the ill aud impatient old man. .he
n1 for a moment TO tho little chamber above
md watched the sweet pet, with brown ewes
And rosy cheeks as she woke to her morning,s
haPpness aud she felt the dear little round
NnS press her neck, the sweet tender Inns i'm
~!nied on her own, aud she thanked God for
A1sSk fast over, she carried DOWNSTAIRS hapni.
naas enough for half-a-day. Later. when lar
Tseoe trem blcd at the end of some LONG Lao.
kpSe, or her arms were weRried at some endless
,1hbing she looked out the windo ", saw thu
sale one disporting in the sun, playing hide
among the lines, or smiling 70 bor |
seSn amidst the roses, and. ut this sirbt IL
E9is't 81 her cup of joy was full, that he sprino
GIT played even ia tho sick mans cboinLaF
Ad for 10" time she forgot whether sho yas
rardiau or victim. Thus she lived ON, con.
svd aud strengthened by the Child. con-
SSng aud strengr hcniug her husband until
10 day when NJ. de Gucrs died, and both went /