The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-24
seesIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
MMw ORLEANS. SUNDAY. OCTOBER % 1915.

Brother Francis and their comrade, the conver-
: sation seemed to produce wonderful effect on
tho former. He trembfed from head to foot,
and then smiled, and seemed about to grasp
the stranger in his arms, when be suddenly
fell back on the bench as they now saw him:
The yonng soldier-he was almost boys and
strikinRly bandsome-was equally puzzled.
Brother Francis baa merely asked him If he
were Irish q d vhen he answered "Yes ;"-if
his name was Herbert, and If 1t was Gerald
were Irish and when he replied that his
name was Gerald Walter Herbert, and that bis
grandfather was not Irish, but English,
he could not catch, and tainted. That
was all he could tell them; but what that had
to do with Brother Francois ft still remained
mystery.
senseless and almost motionless, the only symp-
toms of animation he presented being those af-
forded by the convulsive throbbipg Of his
heart, and an occasional deep-drawn sigh.
His brothers seemed deeply afflicted, and
sought by every means in their pow er to re-
store him; for Francis, though few knew any
thing of his history, was, Notwithstanding, the
favorite of the whole community.
Toward midnight the old man revived, and
his frst inquiry was for the young soldier. lie
now embraced him, and, as he pressed him
again and again to his heart, with tears and
blessings called him "his son, "his dear child"
Brothers Anselm and Bonaventure looked at
each other in mute astonishment. They feared
that their dear old friend, the patriarch of the
lay-brothers, was losing his reason. They
knew that, for thirty years Mt least, he bad
been an inmate of the cloister, while the party
whom he thus lovingly called his son could at
furthest number twenty birthdays, If indeed
he could count 90 smany. Still greater, how
ever, YVES their surprise when, ON closer
marked family likeness between their aged
brother and the individual on whom all his af-
fectiong aeemed now centered.
But this was no time for the Indulgence OF
eurioeity. Tho two troopers, drenohed and
travel.stained, must be attended to- and the
wound of their oomrade looked after. Fortu-
n8tely their convent numbered among its in.
mates one of the best ieeohes in all West
Flanders. He had been already summoned to
tho aid of Brother Francis, and now that he
no longer required his services, he directed his
attention to the other invalid, whose case
seemed the lees urgent of the two. In short
time his Bkilful hand extracted spent ball
from the sufferers knee, and, by the applica-
comparative ease. Nor were Brothers Anselm
and Bonaventure idle meanwhile. Piles of
Wel-buttered fdrtines made of wholemeal bread
baked in the convent, with plentiful dishes of
rAshers and om1ets, and fagon or two of
foaming Lonvain beer, soon covered the table.
Cold meats, too of various kinds, were served
up In abundance and the two dragons we're
good ct all times, but now considerably
sharpened by hard ride and long fast. 1t
was the first peaceful meal they enjoyed since
the Duke of Burgundy got command and
they blessed their stars for having been select
ed to escort young Herbert to the rear. Hav
ing completed the bandsging of his wound,
and administered such medicine as he deemed
best calculated to make up for his reception
and Brother Francis begged to be allowed to
take charge of him. His request was granted,
but ON the sole condition that conve rsation
of an exciting nature should take place be-
tween him and the invalid till suoh time
all feeyerish and indAmmAtory symptoms had
night, the old man watched, in strict silence,
beside the etranger's couch and all were in
amusement at suoh assiduity and attention on
the part Of one Who. as long as any re% m,
~ anectiona. They even saw him mingle tears
with his pra yers, as he knelt beside the pillow
Of the aleeper. II was whispered that the
guardian knew something about the matter
for he, too, now came frequently, and looked
with evident interest on the invalid. No ono
else yentured to speak to Brother Francis on
gentle, and communicative as q child, there
were times when he became sad and reserved
and this seemed one of them,
Ten days passed on, and the invalid made
such rapid progress that the infrmarian and
his staff pronounced him quite out of danger,
in no further need of medical treatment, and
only requiring the aid of the cook to recover
was now removed. and Brother Francis seemed
happy. He could, hepceforth, speak he
pleased to his yonpg protege. The latter felt
equally delighted; for he felt, he knew not
why, . sort of unaccountable attachment-it
was certainly more than mere gratitude-tO-
ward the old man growing daily stronger and
Francis called him my son"-but perhaps, as
an old man, that was the name by which he
addressed all youngsters. At all events, he
loved the old monk as q child loves q father
and always felt sad when the duties of his
rule obliged his venerable friend to leave him
for time.
"And so You tell me you have no recollec
lions Of your father 2" said Brother Francis,
with . aigh, as they sat together Onesevening-
il sNAs the eve of st. Martin-in the same
apartment whore We first introduced them to
our readers.
"None whatsoever" replied his companion;
he left France as volunteer with d'Usson's
diviAion, and was killed at Limerick when
ives bat three years old. So often heard my
mother say"
The speaker did not remark the shudder that
ran through tho old mans frame at mention of
Limerick; bat only paid attention to his next
question, which rapidly followed.
And your fathers father ~
"Was, a. have slEeAdy said, an English
mAn-but he, too, died in the wars long ago.
They say hO fell in Spain"
The old man could no longer restrain his
feelings. Bursting into tears, and cfasping
his young companion to his bosom, as be had
done on the night of their FIRST meeting, he
0Aid: