The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-06-14

Ano4porlenceu, sno behAvea most ab5urdly In
her own estimation, but oharmingly in his
She burst into tears and when he timidly and
gently inquired whether he had hurt her feel
ings or offended her, declared that he had
never done anything of the sort. The witty
suitor then remarked, gravely smiling, that
she had addressed an inquiry to him which
Only husband could answer, but the answer
to which he would be most happy to give to
his wife. But Aglais objected that, as her son
would frequently be away from her with the
army, il her daughter were taken away at the
same time she would be on sudden left DESC
late; and, while consenting to the marriage,
begged that 1T might be postponed for a time.
10 this Paterculus submitted, and Agatha joy
fully agreed.
Mean while, Paulus made such progress in
Hebrew that Josiah Maccabeus and Esther
began again to talk of their voyage to Jerusa-
lem !; and now occurred an important event,
indeed, in the young tribune's life.
He told Aglais, his mother, that he fallen in
love with Esther; reminded her of Esther's
noble and successful efforts to save their darl-
ing Agatha expatiated on her grand and
wondrous old lineage and asked his mother
finally, whether she could wish for her son a
lovelier, more graceful, more gentle, or more
high-hearted wife Not one of the many
propositions advanced by Paulus was denied
by his mother. Paulus then confessed that
from that night of strange adventure, so sim
gularly spent by him and Thellus and the rest
OF his comrades at Eleazar's queer house (once
julius C@sars) in the Suburb, when Esther's
timely warnings had not only preserved the
public treasure, but had saved the lives of all
the gallant men engaged in a most critical
service-from that night he confessed he had
felt such admiration for the Hebrew damsel,
that not only he thought of her continually
in moments of tranquility, but her image had
even gone into the din of battle by his side.
"Then she may we'll walk with you through
life, my son." said the Greek lady and truly
consider her virtuous, gifted, and noble
maiden, whom shall be glad to call daugh-
ter"
Paulus kissed his mother and said he merely
wished for betrothal of q year or two, like
Agatha's with Velleius Paterculus, as there
were rumors of impending German expedi-
tions and he would neither like to miss them.
on the one hand, nor to leave his wife for them
on the other.
"But will she accept me, mother :" he sud
denly asked, with a look of alarm.
We have accepted Paterculus for Agatha
returned his mother; "and certainly for that
simple and excellent old Hebrew and his
daughter, your offer is much more fattering
distinction than that of Paterculus is for u.s.
And, on the other hand, am certain that
Esther entertains very tender feeling toward
you. She is happy when you are here, and
when You are absent SO is She in another
sense"
Thus encouraged, Paulus Lepidus Amilius
the brilliant young hero, whose name was in
all mems mouths, and who was fashioned by
nature to be adopted into the kinship of such
a race as that of Esthers glorious collateral
ancestor, asked her to be his wife, and to share
hislarge and rising fortunes.
Esther turned pale, raised both hands, with
the fingers interlaced, to her chin, and cast her
eyes upon the ground for few seconds without
speaking. She then said:
All it cannot be. And now, indeed. nv
grandfather and I must go away. But it is
not through unkindness it is not for want.
Your sister is truly sister to me already, as
you would fain make her and your mother is
to me even like my own. Nor am 1 blind to
this great honor. But the laws of my people
and our holy books forbid me to wed Gentle.
Yet this believe, that you and yours will NJ
ways be dear to Esther and Esther will never
kneel to that great God, who made you as well
rs her, and who cares for all the creatures of
his hands, without praying to him for Aglais,
for Agatha, and especially for you, valiant
and gentle Paulus. trust we may meet in a
better world"
Almost while uttering the last werd which
she pronounced in a tremulous voice, and with
indescribable pathos, she turned and slowly
left him.
He forbore pursuit, because the whole mum
ner and,tone of the Jewish maiden carried to
his mind an overwhelming conviction that her
answer was truly final, and that she spoke ir
revocable words.
In the midst of his natural youthful anguish
two things in what she had said struck him
much. She had referred to the one great God
OF whom Dionysius always maintained the
certain present, personal, and sovereign sway:
and her language when deeply moved was az
unlike to that of the olytheists around him
as the speech of men to the chattering of
monkeys. There was the Same conviction an