The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-01-31
aasmlng Star and Catholic Messenger.

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And IL seemed to me she spoke almost NAL
ciously, rs though deliberately to wound NJ
dearest prejudices.
"You will the more readily excuse me TO
my inability to realize this information,n re-
piled, "when tell you that until now my &C
quaintanee with members of your church hal
been very limited, aud that those whom have
met have always belonged TO the lowest GLASSES
OF society. End it difficult to convince my
sslf that you can profess Q belief whose tenetl
have always appeared to me to be web OF
superstition. My associates have been alto
gethsr Protestant, and my prejadices, as you
would call them, very decided wherever Rome
was concerned. You may think me blunt, even
impairment; but allow me at the same time,
be something good and beautiful in religion
that one of your intelligence and refinement
admires and professes."
"There is something good and beautiful In
all religions" she sndswe cred, "or they would
mot be worthy of the name-mere attempts and
half-promises as most of them arc. But in ours
AL 10 goodness and beauty. lean pardon, even
understand your prejudices, for I shared them
once. was born and educated in tho Presby-
terrain faith-a faith hard, cold and unconsol-
ng.I can remember the time when regarded
Catholicity but ~ another form of heathenism.
For your estimate Of my intelligence and refine
/naent can only shank you-all the more %
Yen have never had opportunity to Judge cor
octly Of either /; consequently must take the
verdict for what IL IL worth. But here am ct
home, and the lamps are lighted. How late IL
must be- Thank you again, and good evening"
With little ripping laugh she left my side
and almost before had time 70 answer her
asting salutation, she had sripped mp the
tops and entered the house.
crowd Of conflicting thoughts pursued each |
ether In my mind a. continued my walk. A |
consciousness that / endeavored vainIy to |
gnore grew stronger as I reflected on what |
had passed, and weighed moro infinitely all tho |
circumstances Of our meeting and acquaintance.
Aud with 1t was mingled feeling of disap-
pointment, almost of vexation and pain az
though had been touched and assailed by
scne detestedcnemy.
grew restless, nothing satisfied me. People
said looked i'll. No wonder, when sat mp
half the night trying to divert my mind from
the study of Its own problems, to those of in
comprehensive German philosophy I rea-
soned with what was pleased to term my
weakness But what could dot had kept
ont OF the way of temptation had avoided
assemblies where knew she was likely to be
twenty times had stood upon the Threshold
Of her home, and as often turned and retraced
my steps. One night sat alone in my room, |
and almost vowed to put the thought of her Z
from my mind at once and for ever. As / I
unused, Armitage entered unannounced.
"Desolate and melancholy as ever" he said
oheerfully, and the sound of his happy voice
made me desperate. Suddenly, involuntarily,
might say, found myself answering him: I
81 am tired of being desolate and melancholy, l
thought" then carelessly, "What If we saun- Z
ter down to Miss Foster'sf"
Fred was all willingness, while surprised at )
my change Of mood, We walked ieIsurefy
along When We reached the house, Fred re- Y
marked that the shutters were closed, and 1
that there was some probability of the young v
lady being out said nothing, but made o
solemn compact with myself while she waited
'If she is not at home" thought, that vow n
shall be registered and kept; If she is, che sera
sUG.'
AEiss Helen was at home, the servant said Il
She reproached me for not having called in o
such length of time, and wondered If the t
revelation made at our last meeting had not '
helped to keep me away. Then turning to her v
OOusin, she said laughinGly, "Mr. Moray was L
the other day, to hear Of my being /
Catholic" c
" The other day." I answered. at is fully {
three months ago, and have not yet been able I
70 reconcile my mind to the fact" &
"It 10 fact though, Ed" said Armitsge
''and greatly as deplored the calamity when c
il happened, four years ego, I must confess I
shat Helen has changed for the better in the I
interval. You see, abe was most irreprcssible t
some time since-before her conversion, rs she '
calls it-doing every thing by fits and starts, q
and holding every one under the everest of q
despotisms; but I actually believe this little ]
devotion she has, this habit of confessing, has
toned her down and made her tho rational )
creature we see her. That's how you account i
for the change, isn't it cozH" Z