The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-30

" Ten, father, tent"
"And do you know who the tenth is, nay
son 2"
"No; there was an old man, and q strong
young one. half suffocated, I think. No, 1
don't know their names don't even know
where am but that is no matter. Ten, at
last, aad God is satisfedp
!" And do you still doubt his forgiveness ?"
81 must believe in it."
" Yes, Yves, you must; for here is the proof,
and the pledge of pardon. My son, here is the
man you have just saved"
Then Yves knew he had saved his brothers
life
1t was moment not to be described. The
brothers held each other in long embrace /;
weeping, trembling, murmuring broken words
of love and tenderness which cannot be writ
ten down, bnt which the heart easily under
stands. Then Aubin took his brother home |;
the Cure followed with the two soldiers. Yon
may imagine how he drank in their accounts
of the heroic actions of their comrade. Never
had the good Able Kerdrec thanked od as he
did that day.
They were in sight of the farm now. The
men were about their work. Armelle stood at
the door, with q child in her arms, and another
at her side. She was looking anxiously down
| the road the group had just reached the turn
ing. She ran on. Aubin met her, and took
her hand: "Armelle, you are the first to well
| come our dear brother Yves who has just
saved my life." Then there were the children
to be looked at; and after few minutes they
all went towards the farm. Yves trembled as
the meetin with his father drew near. The
old man came forward. Without hesitating,
A ell fO nc he her
arms round his neck, alt is Yves, father; he
has saved Aubn we owe him everything"
Then all turned away with feeling of awe,
as the father embraced his repentant ssn. We
will not attempt to describe that moment, still
less the mothers feelings. The excitement at
the farm, in the village, may be imagined,
Everyone was pressed to eat, but no one was
hungry, except the two soldiers, who had GER
tainly a good appetite. Poor old Louison
limped about, waiting on every one. Old Loic
FASTENED up to see the hero of the village, and
one after another followed him, full of pride
and delight, till every one had had a good look
at him; and 1 should be afraid to say how
many times the soldiers had to tell their COM
rade's history.
1t was all positive torture to Yves; but he
bore it for his fathers sake; and besides, it
would De over soon. you nau Deeu very SOOu,
and the goal was very nearly reached
The following Sunday, after Vespers, he
asked for private interview with his father,
| and the old man went with him into the inner
room. He opened the Book of the Gospels
and showed his son, where, in few simple
words, the story of the fire was told. Then
Yves knelf' down; he Insisted speaking to
his father in that attitude. They talked long
and earnestly. More than once Jean Patriarche
hid his tears on his sons shoulders more than
once the young mans voice was broken by
their hearts and there was great calm as Jean
soemuly blessed Yves.
Next morning, the farmer, dressed for
journey, was waiting, surrounded by his fam
lily, while Yves received his mothers parting
kisses. Aubn was making a last appeal.
; "Why should you leave US :" he said. Gould
you not make yourself happy here amongst US
all ? Why must you greve me and break our
mothers heart 7 Is not this your proper place
your homef Where you going -
And his father answered: Il am going tt
take your brother to Thrymadeuc, to the abbey
of La TrappeH"
Then Aubn made the sign of the cross, ant
, said no more The last embraces were giver
in silence; there was sense of Gods presenc
, in the house and Patriarche and his son wen
. ont slowly and silently. Yves turned rount
, Just once to kiss his hand to Marthe, and thel
, the only sounds were the heavy steps of Jeal
Patriarche, the sobs of Marthe, and the tende
voice of AFmelle trying to comfort her.