The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-10-10

gives ali to God, is the one who really elevates
her sex, and frees it from ignoble bonds and
to such does the Catholic Church give the
highest rank, placing them above all others"
But, father, is it not lonely life I do they
not curb all natural feeling, and stite all sweet
emotions W
"By no means dear. The tenderest hearts
on earth are those actuated by charity; and
that is the main motive of their lives. SIMPLE
as little children, and pure as angels, their
feelings are intensified instead of stitied Their
pity for the erring is divine their kindness to
the unfortunate limitless; what then must be
their love for those to whom it is due by ties |
of kindred friendshipf Given in God and for |
him, it is only more true than that not SO con-
secrated. But oh, how can expect you to un- |
derstand this; you brought up amongst those
into whose plans, and doctrines, and books, |
and lectures God is never brought, unless, in
deed, as figure of rhetoric to embellish
period, or to illustrate a theory"
said humbly. "I know can see the beauty
and the loftiness of the life you describe
though it must bold much of sacrifice, too"
God is an infinitely tender father, my dear"
was the impressive reply; and it holds no
more of sacrifice than you have made for me,
your poor earthly parent, who can never re-
ward you; Whereas his reward is unfailing
She was very quiet for a long time; after
that, then; )" Father Jerome said he baptized
me, father" she said
"Then to all ntents and purposes, am a
Catholic."
Exactly, though a rather unconscious one."
az think, father" and she came and
kissed the still, helpless hands, favorite way
of showing her love, g. had better learn my
religion. What do you say 7"
- say" he answered very s'lemnly, thank
God !"
"On dit, my dear" said Mrs. Grundy, some
months afterwards, t' that Constance Houghton
never left town. She lives in a shabby place,
AKA has become a Catholic. Her own mother
does not recognize her in the street, and Bruce
Aire never goes near her, though of course he
could if he wished"
"Then," chimed in my dear, "the Truth Of 1t
at last comes out. This infatuation caused
the pos ponement of the marriage, no doubt"
"And you know l said postponment was not
| all. Well, she was always imaginative, and
of course romantic. But You could not ex-
peSt Bruce Aire, the representative Of one of
our Oldest Protestant family to keep to his
| engagement. 1t is pity of Mrs. Houghton."
Yes; but she will never make sign. She
will lecture just as brilliantly as ever this win
ter"
"oh, yes, and Bruce will console himself
He is not the man to spend his life in weeping
over it,"
Then society busted itself about some other
current topic, these two umpires having SO
| satisfactorily settled all heknotty points in
this. And the Trath of 1t drifted farther and
farther out of its reach, till at last it vanished
altogether. But this was of no consequence
to society.
VIII
She had ''learned her religion;" she had
well fulfilled all the offices of the now com
! pletely disabled hands she had given to the
world, through hers, the noblest utterances of
the oble mind !; she had found the sweetness
of kneeling at the foot of the crucitiX, and
life of sacrifice; she had experienced that peace
which ''passetu oil understanding" when, one
day, Bruce Aire stood at the door knocking.
She opened it, and .iss he said ID; p,
FAt last, Constance! VT.-I you let me- IL ::
She said nothing; only gave him her her hand ;ad,
and led him to where her father reclined, Jns1
now sleeping. He looked in silence upon tht
worn face, beautiful alike in its intellectual
: cast and its perfect expression of peace h'
looked at the hands and feet bound and help
less he looked at the poor room, SO deity ar
e ranged to seem bright he looked at nei
8 changed face, more lovely than ever, VIII
= "My God" said he, moro to himself than t.
her, ''is this what the world calls infatua
Q tion 7" g.,
thought she had buried the feeling. whic
g now rose up in her heart seeing him there be
d fore her, hearing his voice that was SO deal
t knowing that he came to seek her out' tnoug
o she had sent him from her forever, as sh
a thought.
e Dear" said he then, in an honeet, mani
70 way that went to her heart, have tried I
q forget you, but could not. 1 have been
d long time seeking you in vain, but at last
V find You. hope that when say could NO
" forget you, prove my love was worthy OF It
Il object, but love inspired by you could not b
e otherwise Nay" as she s ayepted her face face
&c "you need not turn away; 1 did not come
le try to win you from your noble work. 1kno no,
~ came to beg that might be allowed the pla'
o. of the humblest friend, to see you som M etime ~
" to help you in slight ways, to have the bles
"a ing of your advice and influence, for since
is lost them my life is aimless. Now, will yo
give me one word of welcomep
~ She said simply then,
You cannot but be welcome, Bruce, {
a that footing, and II can be to you We
m true friend"
So Justin Maxwell opened his eyes, saw the
20 standing there together, smiled, but, like
Of flash of lightning in its suddenness, came
look of agouy to blight that smile, the last tn
IN could ever come for Constance, over the ia
al SO dear to her. For after the look of agon
came the.look of-death!
ga "Fatherr she cried in piercing tone
Id No answer-only, to an invisible listener.
at tJesus! Jesusw Then silence never to
nt broken in this world.
to But she did not know, she still called Wild
re Father! Fatherw
10 prDoa aoftlv laid his hand uDon the pul