The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-16
From the Revue Gu Monde Catbolique.I
VALENTINE.
IN -FOUR CHAPTERS.


1t had been decided on the day of the
modest betrothal, that the marriage of AL
fred and Valentine should be celebrated a
week after the Nativity of Our Lady in Sep
tember, before the first fogs OF autumn had
yintagers had robbed the robust vines of their
golden grapes on the slopes descending to the
valley below. But autumn passed the woods
grew yellow and the leaves fell the joyous
shouts Of, tho vintagsrs ceased to rejoice tho
hills, and the icy winds Of winter blew over
the blackened stones, without Valentine hav.
ing sought her white marriage robes. Alas! it
was robe Of mourning that covered her now,
phan the sweet aud careless happiness of
tho young daughter, tho oheriahsd child 90
tenderly protected, was all gone, destroyed for
fed from tho woods with the frat falling
Leaves. The most devoted care, the greatest
affection and constancy, could not preserve to
her thi. nervous and tender mother, whose
death would have been sweet, had abe not so
felt fef and trembled for her child. Her III
meas however, had bean long and oeurageously
and for ,h sosS time there was hope
when Valentine wee abssnt on o pilgrimage 70
neighboring chapel, . sudden hemorrhage
oct In, and Madame de Guers, feeling It necss.
several papers, and with pain wrete for her
adopted daughter directions which were not
TO DO opened until . month after her death,
when the frst transports Of grief were over.
Tho fatal moment then eame, and by one of
the last auroras of September, soft, fresh, and
almost yelled, Valentine found herself on her
knees BY the bedside Of the dying exchanging
the devoted mother who. from her infancy,
had so unceaaingly studied her happiness. The
poor child remembered no more grief had
completely prostratsd her, and she forgot her
consciousness, she found herself clothed in
deep black, aud alone with Marianne, tho old
aud faithful servant, who wept low by her side
and tried TO console her. Then. II. Maabars
oret consolation In the midst Of her sadncas.
1t was 30 sweet, SO toring and strengthening,
to know ones self still loved while eircum.
stances had separated her from him upon
whom She had lavished such o wealth of af-
fiction. 1t Is true the consultations offered by
the future fsther-in-faw and betrothed were
not OF the highest order of morality, and net
aifectionate and sincere-at least, Valentine
thought 500 they had power to alleviate
her grief and restore her hearts serenity.
Mhst would I'D you my ehiidf We are all
still console ourselves and live almost happy
in the love of the friends that remain to u.s. )"
Alfred did not even say as much but he look
interest and pity; he quietly took the little
white and thin hand that lay languidly on her
black atapery, and pressed Il between his own
while he murn,ured:
Poor dear Valentine, Poor friend so daar
~ loved And these simple words, this look,
TINS atectionate gesture from the friend of her
childhood, seemed to open to the heart brok en-
young girl new. treasure Of hope and conso-
lation.
The days, however, rolled on grief was not
less profou adj, less CONSTANT OF lees bitter, but
1t became necessarily moro contained, more
resigned, was borne more valiantly in secret
giving place to austero duties, the serious pre-
occupations of life. The tune came, naturally
when business had to DO spoken of to Yalen-
tine. Until then, with respect for her grief
and her weakness, they had spared her every
proposition, every discussion on the subject,
will do all that 10 necessary" murmureA
tho poor child. SO they told her she must a.
siet Mt the opening Of the will, which would
take plaoo BY the notary, in presence of An-
thorized witnesses. ,..- -
The solemn assembly, therefore, convened ON
cold mSrning of November in the largo Dar.
Aor OF the house, Asl1isi1g AID mouFAful wind
shook tho windows, and threw ,ag ainst them
in disorder the last leaves of the 1indens that
on the day OF the betrothaf had balanced so
1oyousIy their green perfumed crowns above
the gladdened heads of Valentine, her com.
panions, and her betrothed The last wishes
of Madame de Guers, were Expressed In n ran.
ner Mt once neat and concise. Her little cnni.
tai of 10000 francs placed in rentes ON the
state and her house, with all its dependeneies
were wlied by her to her dear pupil, VaIen-
tine Naudrey, in default of direct inber}toTs
from her own family or from that of her hus-.
band. The assistants knew In advance the
tenor of the will nevert hetess, after its reWd-