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

1 " nCOA ~ AL cke6u8 anu pr
iessions ofreligion asso many shams and supe
stitions. because, from the nature of the lii
you lead your own ideal must be both hypocris
ana sham Tam only woman, and such me
as you place but little confidence in woman
Judgment and far-sightedness. Bat hav
read you deeper than you suppose. Evenin
afssr evening, while you sat hero reading o
talking to me, have been stndying yeu.
nave recognized emotions that your prid
would call weaknesses; thoughts that you
worldly wisdom seeks to cover with Jest o
smile; great capabilities Of sacrifice that you
everyday exterior conceals under Slettant
tastes and careless ways. have seen that i,
your eye, heard that in your voice, which ha
made me marvel how q soul like yours could
Do content with husks and bitterness. Fol
you yourself could have sympathy, but
scorn the evil spirit that is in you"
had loved her before; but as she stood there
taxing me with that to the consciousness OF
which was but just weakening, my love gave
| one great bound and seemed to sit enthroned
high above sight or sound of human passion.
even while, with every word che uttered, the
knowledge of its vain endeavor fastened itself
more firmly upon me. I was about to speak,
but she interrupted me. and the words came
more slowly now, and more kindly.
II may have spoken harshly" she said. "In-
deed, am sure have. But it was of your
self with regard to yourself, and in what said
there was no thought of my own connection
with the subject. As to that part of it, can
have none but think, however much or little
woman esteems man, there must be some
thing especially tender in her dealings with
one who has made her the Offering OF his love.
You will believe me, then, when say that
am panied, deeply panied, that you should
have given yours to me, or deemed it's acknow-
ledgment necessary. Words are idle and SUPER
huous here. can and do appreciate it; can
DC, L am your friend. Forgive me if have
been harsh; in ca!mer moments you will come
to think of me az one whose words were quick
and too impulsive, but who had your interest
at heart. Now let me 60. Do not speak fur
Their, beg of you; it would only pain us both. y
"But q few words" said; "a very few. You
have aimed surely, and struck deep. do not |
blame you for my mistake, nor for that which |
you term harshness. I cannot, since recog.
nize its truth. The difference between Won |
and most women is, that you are brave enough
to speak that truth for you are too free from
vanity or falsity of any kind, know, ever to
speak other than yonr earnest thoughts. may
nave scohed at creeds have never scoffed at
dod give me ut least this merit. l have
1reamed dEeam-we all do at some time. I
'elieve; may yours be happy realzations al
Ways. Good-by."
With sudden glare the freight flashed
lpon the wall, and the red glow shone full
lpon her face, paler than usual, lint calm.
there were tears in her eyes as teey met mine;
nut what woman with woman's heart could ,
70 unmoved at such a momentf
"Good-by," she answered, almost inaudibly. !
paused to hear no more; the next nome nj the ,
DOR closed behind me, and was in the street.
CHAPTER ILL., -
l went abroad, through the principal cities ,
1 the old world; and by quiet ways to unpre-
ending places, where travellers seldom go. My =
cart sought rest and quiet; my soul was be- ,
inning to shake off the torpor that had en- ;
hained it; taking in, almost unconsciously,
Heat influences that pervaded my whole being.
ruth forced themselves upon me unawares,
nd my ears did not refuse to hear them.
cross the wide Atlantic some one was praying
'r me, although 1 did not know it while she I
rayed-one whose face vainly strove to i
trough the current of my troubled dreams.
nd yet it was with no hope of winning her
I'VE in the future that opened my heart and
lind to the study of sacred things. That idea
ever came to me- The whole purpose of my
fe seemed changed. How often thought of
or dsnunciation Of my aimless existence, my {
diletantc tastes and careless ways" How
ften I thanked her that, all unconsclously
hough it were, she had opened TO me new
venues of thought and action. "Better to
ave loved and lost than never to have loved at
II" and 30 the work went on. Silently but /
urely my heart Enclosed to the heavenly dews
hat fell upon 1t and renewed IT, remained
ono time in France and Italy, spent q few
lonths in Germany, and then returned to Eng (
and. At the feet Of one of the fathers of the
'ratory in London made my first confession,
nd tasted the ineffsb1s sweetness of divine
ompassiou.
Nearly two years had pnssed and the dolce {