The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-04
NUMBER 35.


the io.s of an eye gave n some what unpleasing
expression to his features. On common osca-
sions there was nothing to distinguish him
from ordinary men; but sooner was ho
moved or interested than his glance became
lively and penetrating; beams of intelligence
and manly spirit shot from his remaining eye,
and his bearing was proud and even imperious.
On first entering the room, he cast mistrust-
fnl glance on all present. especially Master
Roger, in whom he at once perceived moro of
worldly craft than in the other two.
Master Deconinck," commenced Adolf, "be
pleased to draw near to me. have something
to ask you that you must not refuse me, for
have no other hope but in You only You must
first give me your solemn assurance that you
will never divulge to any human being that
which am about to communicate"
The just dealings and good offices of the
lords of Nieu land are not yet forgotten by the
Clothworkers," answered Decouiuck; "and
you, noble sir, may ever count upon me as your
faithful servant. Nevertheless, sir, allow ma
first to warn you, that If what you have in
hand Is in any way contrary to the rights Of
the commons, you will do we'll to keep it to
yourself, and tell me nething OF it,"
Since when, thep," cried Adolf, somewhat
sternly, "have the Nieu wlands touched You in
your rights Such language is injurious to my
honor !"
Forgive me, sir, if my words have offended
you," replied the Dean Dit is 80 hard to dis
tinguish the evil from the good, that ono ia
obliged to mistrust all. Allow me to ask you
only one question, the answer to which will
remove oil doubt from my mind at once; are
you o Lilyard, noble sir Z" -----
"A Lilyard" cried Adolf Indignantly no,
Master Deconinck in my breast beats q heart
that has nothing but adherence for our ene-
mics and the very scheme about which I
wished to consult you is directed against
them"
Speak freely then, noble sir; am at your
service"
"Well, then ycu know that our Count Guy
is in prison, with all his faithful mobiles; bat
there is still in Flanders one to whom all true
Flemings owe their best and readiest aid One
who now needs IL greatly because of her inter
helplessness, and to whom it is due both
count of what she is, and of the trouble
which oppresses her.
"Yon speak of the Lady Matilda, daughter
of the Lord Robert do Bethune," observed
Deconinck.
prised.
know yet more, sir. The Lady Matilda
was not brought to your bonse so privily, bat
that DecoDinck knew il, could she have
left it again unknown to ME. But be not
alarmed, for L can assure you that but few be-
sides myself at Bruges are in the secret"
"You are wonderful man, Master De-
coninck But now to the point. feel that /
may trust in your msgnanin,ity to defend this
young daughter of our Lion, if need be, against
any violence from the French" --
Sprung from among the people, DecoDinck
was one of those rsre geuiuses who come
before the world from time to time a. the
leaders of their age and country. No sooner
had years ripened his capacity, then he called
forth his brethren out of the bondage in which
they slumbered, taught them to understand
the power which lies in union, and rose up at
their head against their tyrsnts. The latter
now found it impossible to resist the awakened
energies of their former slaves, whose hearts
Deconinck had 30 reused and kiDdied by his
eIoqueuce, that their necks would no longer
bear tho yoke. Yet sometimes the fortune ef
war would favor the mobiles, and the people for
a time submitted, while Deconinok seemed %
have lost at once his elOqueuce and bis saga
city, Nevertheless he slumbered not, bus SSH
worked upon the spirits of his comrades with
secret exhortations, till a favorable moment
came; then the commons rose again against
heir tyrants, and again broke their bonds.
All the political Vaccinations of the mobiles
into smoke before the keen intellect
of Deconinck, and they found themselves thus
deprived of all their power over the peoPfs,
without any possibility Of permanently holdiRg
their ground. With truth it might be said.
that chief share in the reform of the political
relation between the mobiles and the commons
belonged 10 Deconineh, whose waking thoushts