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

HE MV
aered from what source she drew her abandar
servo it,
never by word or look had intimated M
; own feelings toward her; something told m
70 hnger at The gate of paradise content t
see the roses blooming without daring to ven
snre In. 1 felt that . suspicion once arouse,
In her mind would change our relations com
pieteiy; and had not begun to hope.
AZ things stood, we grew to be excelleu
friends. Our views differed widely on man,
points, but religion was the only really seusi
tive topic. More than once I had noticed ,
look OF pain in her face whom startled hs
win some Of my materialistie views. and n
| Iass We taoitly avoided the subject altogether
while admired her beautiful simplicity and
faith, could not understand then. az do now
now any aspersion cast upon that faith could
wound her as deeply as though 1t sought her
SELF and had never wished to take it from
her. In hopeful moments, few and far between
wen lIhad dared to think of her as nv wife.
the thought of her religion and the absence OF
IL In me had, strangely enough, never intrrded
itseif upon me. Consequently, it was from no
desire to weaken or alter her convictions in
any particular that became almost inyolun-
tarily instrumental in bringing matters to a
crisis.
We had been reading French together or, to
speak more correctly, had been reading it to
her, one evening Of every week, with tho os-
tensible purpose Of improving my pronuncia-
ton under her tutolsge, for she spoke the lam
guage beautifully.
One day an old Partisan, who lodged in the
honse with me, and who occasionally made INV
atting-room the theatre Of q homily on Victor
hugo saint-Beuve, and their oo.fr~es, laid
upon my table copy Of Remains "grand sucoes.n
head it," he said, read it In the original
1t loses by translation."
promised to do 80. That evening took 1t
with me to Miss Fosters. As walked leisurely
along, the thoughtstruok me that my "teachern
might probably not admire the "grsnd succss ~
but 1t only fingered moment, and troubled
me but little "No harm in bringing IL. anv
iow-the style is good" soliloquized, and
'ang the bell in happier frame Of mind than
had known for weeks. Fred usually Joined
10 on French evenings, but tonight another |
claimed him. Helen was sitting
lone when entered the parlor.
Grandmamma has headache this evening.
md will not be down." che said apologeticalIy.
sat down, made few trifing remarks, to
which she responded, and then arose to bring
he book we had been reading.
wait, l have something else tonight
aid, taking the volume from the table where
had placed it.
What is it 7" she asked, resuming her seat
"Renan's book" replied confidently. 81
bought would bring it with me. He has an
xcelient style-unique and polished. He is
no last sensation, you know"
Il will not read it," she said in o low tone.
I'll read and You will listen," answered.
That is the usual arrangement, is it mott"
Il Will not listen," she replied, and saw by
he angry flush mantlng her forehead that 1 ,
I'D committed grave error; that she misun. :
erstood my motives and was vexed.
Pardon me-" said. I'VE will hot read It. IL
ou 80 desire; but at the Same time there can
no narm In informing ones self on opposite
e~s from our own. This is the spirit in which .
should read the book, not fearing that it ,
ould bias my mind either one way or the =,
her Can you not be as liberal 7"
She left her seat and began lingering in n
erVous way the ornaments that lay upon the 7
antel
II have no wish to hear my God and my re- 4
gion rallied and blasphemed at either at first .
second hand" she said. "It would be none -
10 less painful coming from the lips of one +
HON had almost learned to call friend, but =
no has tonight, in very few words, shown 4
10 my mistake. For my religion have long | L
een aware that you cherish an undisguised =
'ntempt; for myself had hoped you enter 7
Aimed no contemptious feeling. Surely have l
ever given you reason for your action of this I
vening."
While she was speaking had shaped my @
purse. Precipitate as it might be, there was .
othing left me now but declaration of my q
'al sentiments, unless would forfeit her c. l
'em for ever Fully conscious Of the disad. q
antages of time and circumstances a. was. 9
nd without any presumption of sneceus, then {
nd there resolved to tell her the whole truth. q
was but o Fastening to the end I
"Stop one moment" replied, "a word with ]
Va Laryo 4 | ,