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

apron-string. And 1 was told that Armelle
loved Aubin--for mean You tho very day on
which asked her hand"
I'VE could not guess that, either of u.s."
But you might have given her up! Are
you to have everything-our mothers caresses
and the love of the straw cutters daughter
too Suppose / were to say that you mus
give her up, that oiH marry herf"
Yves, do not let us speak of it /; it does no
good to either of us; and-Armelle is my be-
trothed."
will not hear of it; you shall never mar
ry her! Once more. will you give her upf"
"No."
Yves seized Aubn's arm, and. shook him
furiously. The young man tried in vain to get
free. In the struggle Yves felt il his pocket
the knife which -t.hheey they had bought. cloud
h bid tie tie moon-there was terrible cry
heavy fall-the cloud passed over the NOON
and the pale light showed a man rushing mad
" from the spot.
Later in the evening Yves went home. There
were many lights about people coming and
going; there was light too in the inner room.
He entered the hall. Labrie lay whining in
one corner; Louison was moving about with a
scared face; in the next room people were
talking in awestruck whispers Marthe en-
tered. "Who is that 7" she said then, recog-
nizing Yves, "Where did you leave your bro
therT
Gin the shop"
"And where have you been sincef"
''At Machecoups."
Bewildered with terror, she caught his hand
ard dragged him into the inner room.
"Swear," she said, "swear on this book.'
He remained motionless. She bade him take
off his hat, and he obeyed her mechanically
Then she fixed her eyes upon his face with an
expression of horror, and leaving the room for
a minute, she returned with bowl of water
in one hand and looking-glass in the other
A drop of blood was his forehead. " Stay
here" she said, in an agonzed whisper, " stay
here before the crucifx."
She went out quickly the doctor had come
to attend to Aubin.
Returning from q wedding, Loic had seen
something dark lying in the road it was
Aubin. The old man managed to carry him to
| the farm, and Perrot ran for the doctor. The
| news spread like wild fire, and in short time
the gcndarmes, the garde champetre and the Care
were in the room. The commissary of police
and the magistrate had been sent for from
Rennes. AT length Aubin showed signs of
life. Patriarchc was sitting watching him at
the head of the bed Marthe at the foot, with
her eyes riveted on her sons deathlike face.
No one spoke. Suddenly sound of wheels
was heard.
"It is the magistrate" said the Able Ker.
drec, as he entered.
"What do you want 7" asked Marthe in a
terrified whisper.
"There has been attempt at MURDER was
the answer, land there must be an investiga-
ton"
Old Loic told his story, and produced the
knife which he had drawn from the wound.
Then the magistrate ascertaiued from Patr
archie at what hour, and in whose company
and with what intention, Aubn went out
and Yves summoned. In telling what had
happened, he stated that he had left his
brother at tho hard shop after the knife
was bought, and that be himself had gone tc
the tavern; the shopkeeper, however, swore
that they had gone away together.
You see," said the magistrate, " the two
accounts do not agree"
Yves muttered something about his having
been drinking at Machecoul's, and not remem
bering things clearly. Just then the doctor
came in to say that Aubin had revived suffi
GENTLY to be able to speak. He was as whit,
as the sheets in which he lay, but qnite calm
and collected. When ali were assembled rount
his bed, and the magistrate had taken a cha
directly opposite to him, he said
"Sir, and you, reverend father, and you, my
dearest parents, l wish to confess my crimes t.
you.'
The Magistrate started.
."Let me tell you how it was" continued
Aubin. 1.-THE straw-cutter's daughter and
have long been betrothed; but her father will
not consent to our marriage" He broke of
suddenly; then, after a pause, he added
family, (" ask pardon of you ALL"
1.-THE Able Kerdrec laid his hand on Aubin'
forehead. Marthe hid her face in the bed
clothes. The magistrate rose, saying:
After this can say no more, except, in
deed, this: there are crimes which escape the
justice of men, but God will judge them"
He fixed a penetrating glance, cold, clear
and keen as steel, on the face of Yves, and lef