The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-23

Patriarche this work of expiration. He felt
that the same energy and force of character
and passions which had driven him Unto such
terrible guilt and misery might, properly di-
rected, make him by Gods grace Christian
hero. 1t was a stroke of genius; nay, shall
we not rather say a supernatural illumination
1t was one of those sublime ideas which so
often originate with the humblest priests. The
world passes such one by, with q careless or
supercilous glance at the worn face, the feeble
hands, the frayed cassock but God and oil
lreat souls know what is in him.
The Able Kerdrec did Justice to the grand
old Breton farmer in feeling that the
money question would be no difficulty. He
said simply:
eve must not expect any softening on the
part of the straw-cutter yet. We must wait
Gods time. There was a marriage in contem-
pla:ion to which his consent had been gained
by promise of four thousand francs. Will
you buy Aubin's happiness at that price ?"
And Patriarche said to Marthe:
"You have the key wife; give the money to
M. le Cure"
So the matter was settled. @2
Next morning the traw-cutter and his
daughter were on their way to the farm. He
had dressed himself with unusual care, and
| tried to assume an air of careless bonhonsie,
which but ill disguised the shame which he
really felt He talked and TESTED with Armelle
in forced unnatural way but she, dear
child, answered with the utmost sweetness.
There was almost as much sadness as joy in
! her heart, but 10 bitterness when God was
| smoothing the way before her, was it for her
to remember the stones and brambles which
| once were there7
At the farm everything was strangely quiet
The servants went about their work silently /;
| Louison had taken off her shoes for fear of
disturbing her young master. Marthe never
left his side !; when the fever was highest, her
touch soothed him her whispered blessing
her loving kisses, always brought smile to
his pale lips. The sound of the door opening
| gently made her look round. Armelle entered
between the priest and her father.
"Peace be to this house !" said the Cure.
Marthe folded Armelle in silent embrace {;
Aubin opened his eyes, and said to Daniel:
"You will not take her away again I"
"No.D
"And you will give her to me ~
Eyes"
GOOD is very good! Thank you, Daniel. My
God, thank Thee!"
| "And now," said the straw cutter, "nobody
wants me here so am off. You will let me
know when the time comes for singing )" and
| he left the room abruptly.
| At nightfall Yves returned Jean Patriarche
had begged the Able Kerdrec to stay the eve
ming There was something awful, so mourn
full, in this departure of his eldest son. 1t was
such q terrible necessity. 1t almost seemed
like secret execution. Yves came in, laid
| some papers on the table, and stood before his
| father in silence. The farmer looked them
| over, went out and returned with the Book of
| the Gospels, which he opened, and wrote, under
the date of WEISS First Communion, Enlisted
on such day." The conscript read the words
and then added, with bling hand, "Died
the -" There would be only that last date
to be written when the time came. He was no
longer one of the family.
There was fearful struggle in Jeans soul.
He saw that there was great change in Yves;
bnt he did not say q word. He felt that the
judge was not to be merged in the father.
Aubin had guessed what was going on by
that wonderful instinct of the sick, which is
like second sight He asked Armelle to open
the door, and called his brother by name
Yves started violently. The priest took his
hand.
God has forgiven you," he said ego and
be forgiven by your brother"
When he came into the sick chamber, Aubin
held out his hand.
) ~" You are going awayf"
81 am a soldier"
Good bring you back safe! We will pray
for your
Yves felt crushed he was sinking on his
knees at the foot of the bed i; but Aubin held
out his arms, and clasped him in a long en-
brace. Then, turning to Armelle, he said
Goodbye, sister," His preparations were