The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-01

| this mood be was one day pacing his shop In
the early morning. and ftfully continuing the
dreams of the past night,-now plunged in
gloomy thoughts, now fuming with rage; at
one moment grimly smiling upon his axe as he
poised it in his hand, and at another wrath
fully casting it from him as the useless play
thing of a slave,-when suddenly the door
opened, and to his surprise the Dean of the
Clothworkers stood before him.
"A good morning to you, MASTER" said the
Butcher; what evil tidings is it that brings
you to me thus early IN
Ny friend JAM" answered Deceninck, SCI
ask not why you are sad I; the thought of sla-
very"
Silence, Deconinck! I pray you, speak not
that word the very walls of my house seem
to re-echo it around me in Thousand tones of
insult oh, my friend, would that had died
that day upon tho ramparts of our city! /
should not then have fallen unrevenged; and
oh, what bitterness of spirit should have
been spared But lost that chance, and -"
Calmly, but not unmoved, Deconinck inter-
rupted him:
BE of good cheer, my noble hearted FRIEND
said he, "our day shall yet come. The embers
still glow under the ashes and the time will
ssrely arrive, though it is not yet. Let the
chains press moro sorely still upon our necks,
until they become too CALLING even for towards
to bear and our Black Lion shall yet again
float aloft, with Bruges in the vsn."
A smile full Of confidence Fitted over the
countenance of Breydel; and as he seized the
Deans hand, he joyfully exclaimed, "You
alone, my friend, you alone know how to com
fort me; you alone understand my heart"
But now, Master proceeded the
Clothworker, to the object of my visit. You
have not forgotten our promise to keep guard
over the Lady Matilda ="
"What noww cried Breydel hastily, his
chesks flushing at once with anxiety and an
ticipated indignation.
"She was seized and carried off by the
French last night"
The butcher took step forwa ards caught up
his axe, and furously swung it round his head.
For q moment he was unable to speak then q
torrent of incoherent curses burst from his lips,
at last he exclaimed:
" Deconinck, this is too much,-not a word
more! 1 listen to no put-off now to-day /
must see blood, if die for it."
"Softly, my friend, softly be reasonable.
Your life belongs to your country, and you
; i1luoo ny uo LAcouo Ai5h AZ uSolcoooiys
"Not q syllable will hear! thank you
for your good advice but neither can nor
will follow it. Spare your words, therefore,
for they are all in vain"
"But DO reasonable, Master JAM" reioined
the Clothworker; you cannot drive the
French out all by yourself"
"What care for that My thoughts carry
me not so far. Vengeance and death! -"
The violence of his emotion prevented for.
Their speech. After few instants' pause, how.
| ever, he continued moro calmly:
"Well, Master Dsconinok, after all, will
| be cool, IS you tell me. What more, then, dc
you know about this matter ?"
"Not much. This morning, before daylight
1 was disturbed by an urgent message from
Sir Adolf of Men wlands house, to the effect
| that the Lady Matilda had been carried off in
the night by the French, aud that it was the
traitor Brakels who had acted as their guide.'
"Brakels! There is another for my axe!
He shall not play the spy for the French much
longer"
"Whither they have taken her know not
| continued Deconinck but l suspect it may
be to the Castle of Male; for the ser
want who brought me the message had
heard this name mentioned more than once
among the soldiers. You see well, Breydel
that it will be better to wait for some further
information than to take any step hastily, es
pecially as there is every probability that the
countess is by this time already in France. II
seems that the only course is to stay at home
and bide our time"
You preach to the deaf, my friend" replied
the butcher; sat ali events, 1 must and will
go out. Forgive me if now leave you"
And with these words, conoealing his axe
under his garment he moved towards the
door. By sudden side movement, however
Deconinck SO placed himself as to intercept his
passage.
"Have done with this childish impatience,'
said the Clothworker, while Breydel looked
round as though seeking some other exit, and
in default of that seemed ready to spring
through the window " forth with that axe
you shall not 60. You are by far too dear q
| friend to me, and too valuable to our cause
TINT oh ar