The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-16

perfectly friendly way /; exactly as he had said
out Of tenderness. He had known enough
call who would secure this stranger whoever
he was, and wherever he was found. Now,
known, he walked straight into tie kitchen,
and there stopped TO take full view of q man
in leathern easy chair, his arm resting on
Jenifer's tea-table, and sound asleep. dner
man eyes never saw. Strong in figure, and in
face of remarkable beauty. He was sun
burnt; having pulled his neckcloth Oft, the
skin of his neck showed in fair contrast, and
the chest heaved and fell as the strong breath
OF the sleeper was drawn regularly and with
healthy ease. 1t was picture of calm rest !;
stood Mr. Brewer safely contemplating one
who was evidently in state of blissful I'M
consciousness as to danger to others or him
self.
"Your brother - repeated Mr.. Brewer to
Jenifsr, who stood stiff and upright by his
SIDE
"My halEbrothor, James o'Keefe."
There is some one at the front door, will
you open itf'
JenifeI guessed ut tho parsonage to be found
there. But she went steadily through the
front passage, and, opening the door, let the
policeman, who had been waiting, enter, and
then she came back to the kitchen without ut
tering word. As the man entered, Mr. Brewer
laid his hand on the sleeper's shoulder and
woke him. He opened his fine gray eyes, aud
looked round surprised. On suspicion Of hav-
ing committed an assault OH Mr.. Horace Frs
kline last night, in the park at Beremouth,"
said the policeman, and the stranger stood mp
prisoner He began to speak, but the police
man stopped him. 1t is serious case" he
said. 1t may turn out murder You are
warned that anything you say win be used
against you at your trial" care You msgis-
trate, sir :" asked oKeefe, as he turned to Mr..
Brewer. eyes, 1 am. 1 hope you will take
the mans advice, and say nothing"
But may say am innocent"
Every word you say is at your own risk"
run no risk in saying that am innocent
that L this HOrace ErsIipa las
night-though if had seen him-"
II entreat yon to be silent; you must have
a legal adviser"
"Ion shall be we'll looked to and we'll ad-
vised," said Jenifer. There are those in this
town. in the Office where Lansdowne Lorimer
worked, who will work for me-"
1t was very hard for Mr.. Brewer not to pro-
mise ON the spot that he would pay all pos
eibls expenses. But the recollection of the
dlsigured and perhaps dying guest in his own
feeling that he was retained on the other side.
However, he said to Jenifer that perfect truth
and sober justice any body might labor for in
any way. And with this sort of broad hint he
taken off in safe custody, and, mounting his
horse, rode toward Blagden. He asked for his
daughter; and he was Instantly admitted, and
shown upstairs into her sitting-room. There
he found Claudia, looking we'll and happy, en-
gagged in some busy work, in which Eleanor
was helping her.
ooh. my dear father" and Lady Greystock
threw the work aside and jumped up and into
tine arms that waited for her.
1t was always a sort of high holiday when
Mr.. Brewer came by himself 10 visithis daugh-
ter. When the sound of tho brown-topped
boots was heard on the stairs, like voice of
music to Claudias heart, all human things
gave way, for that gadness that her fathers
great heart brought and gave away all round
him, to everybody, everywhere-but there,
there, where his daughter lived-there among
Xch nSha
a great illness and got the better of a threat
ened, life long woe-there Mr.. Brewer felt some
strong influence making him that which people
excellent1y expressed when thew said of him
" he was more than ever himself that day."
Now MI. Brewers influence was to make
those to whom he addressed himself honest,
open and good, He was loved and trusted. 1t
deceive MI Brewer. Candor grew and gained
strength in his presence. Candor took to her
self the teachings of wisdom; candor listened
to to the advice of humility; candor threw aside
al! vain.glorious garments when Mr.. Brewer
called for her company, and candor put on
forthwith the crown of truth.
My darling" said Mr. Brewer, as he kissed
''Oh, my dear father-my father, nv dear
father~ answered Claudia.
Then she pushed forward chair, and then
Eleanor made ready to leave the room. Eyes
go, for half an hour, Mrs. Evelyn. But don't
he out o: the way; have a fancy for q little
chat with yon to-day" grave smile spread
Itself over Eleanors placid face as she said she
should como back when Lady Greystock sent
for her, and then she went away Once more.
when che was gone, Mr.. Brewer stood up, and.
taking Claudas hand, kissed her. "My dar,
ling" he said, have something to say, and I
can only say it to yon-I have some help to ask
for, and only you can help mo- But are Won
strong enough to help me; are you loving
enough to trust mef"
will try to be all you want, father; I an,
strong; can trust-but if You want to know
how much love you-wby, you know 1 can't
tell you that-t is more than can measure. I
am afraid. Don't look grave at me. It can't
be anything very solemn, if can help you, or
anything of much Importance, if my help is
worth your having"
"Your help Is absolutely necessary-at least
necessary to my own comfort. Now Claudia,
tell your father why you broke off your en-
gagement with Horace Erskine."
"He did it"-she trembled. Her father took
her little hand into the grasp of his strong one,
aud held it with an eloquent pressure.
He wanted more money, father 1t came as
test. He was in debt. had loved him "a
if-as if he had been what you must have been
in your youth. You were my one idea of man,
L had had no heart to study but yours. learnt
that Horace Erskne was unworthy. He was
coward. The pressure of his debts had crushed
him into meanness He asked me to bear tho
trial and to save him. 1 did. did, Fatherr'
Yes, my darling"
He never looked at her. Only tho strong
fingers clasped with powerful love on the little
In Nri IN fl,nir