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

n. LUX suougns on the suhsSS
furthern Aee sne idss
For q moment I sat client. Shall tan,
what she has donefor mo .. ! asked N.Y.. ss
snal open the old wound and Let r. 4. ],
afreshf win it be any sacrifice of nv :, =.
ness II tell her what few moments n. w.
held itsmy duty and purpose to conceal ~ -
drew my case from the Are and direct.,,
toward her. The ivory needle few in ana !.
between her slender fingers; it seemed ~
had task to do. My resolve was taken ~ -
there was not tho shadow of a hona :, ~
soul when spoke. Something impelled n.
something, knew not what: a 6e.,,.-' ~,
spirit, thought it then; my good ana.,
know now. e@i
There is debt and an oblieato,s,
began, :" and an acknowledgment which T.
proud TO make, although the fact of its s,;..
ence De almost death to me. A littla -
than two years ago, circumstances led 70 81.
revelation of that which but for those c;r..-
stances might have been unrevealed to.5,,.
offered you love that had grown in INV =.
until it interpenetrated every fibre of myh.: as
You rejected 1t; and that you did 40 Or OH,
find no fault or blame, The folly wa. -;
alone nave borne the consequences. But willis
you aisaDased my mind of any wild hone IL
might nave cherished in moments uuite a.
wild, You told me some unpalstable trntb.
Until had met You had lived selfish. No..
less Life. After met you the germs Of aor,s.
thing better In me stirred now and than A.,
impulses that more than once fought dov,
knocked at secret doors where the dust ana
oobwebs OF the world had gathered. Then thu
sessuemsnt came, and after 1t the chanoe in maj.
Still knitting, the soft wool few through bsr
fingers fsster and faster, as though she bads
defiance to my moan. She did not look mn "a
paused, but her lips were compressed and
her check brightly flushed.
81 went away loving you. Far away from
your visible influence, the thought of Won
followed me through all my journeynes.
passed through new scenes and experiences
loving you come back loving you still.
am here tonight with no intent of pleadinga
lost cause, with hope of drifting from desoltsd
seas into pleasant waters, with no dream Of
Lethean draughts to be taken from your hands.
in the former instance, circumstances have
forced it all upon me, Tomorrow shall won
der at the folly which prompts me to say what
am saying. But tonight, before close the
book for ever, let me thank you for what You
have doue for me; let me leave you with The
that, while have been rash and
have not offended you or caus-
ID You pain"
She had risen from her chair while was
'peaking. Standing for moment irresolute,
with lips half parted and eyes downcast, she
made passionate gesture with her claspsd
lands, as though impatient with herself
81 do not forget" she said, "any part of what
told you that night two years ago. was
30. But it all came on
ne so suddenly that hardly knew what did
ay. remember there was something about
nisused talents and wasted life, of what you
night be and were not, of great possibilities
lighted and condemned. But" here her voice
altered and the words came slowly, edo not
emember telling you then or at any Other
ime that did not, could not love you. Do
'ou remember it y Looking up,' her gaze met
nine half smilingly, half tearfully.
sNo, do not remember itf" said "but
'ou sent me away from you, and have not
orgotten that there was nothing of encourage
nent for the future in your dismissal Of me.
Jan it be-dare hope that--that-W
Somehow two warm, soft hands were clasp
ID in mine, and the Christmas bells pealed out
! tnneful chime, now softly low, now must.
ally clear. And then she told me what had
lever even fancied in my dreams of the love
hat had dwelt in her heart of hearts 90 long;
# fears that had assaulted her when she grew
conscious of it; of q hope in the future and its
nborn possibilities that bad filed her soul
Vhen abe seemed most Indifferent and cold /;
f prayers that from their fervency had been
card and answered.
II knew You would come back to me-" she
aid 81 knew that God would do great things
pr you. And even if you had mot come; if
ONE one else had taken my place, OF some
mbition occupied your heart, it would hare
cen the same in the end, or nearly 80. think
could be contented to love you silently al
" life long, if I knew You to be lin thought
nd purpose what had so longed to have you,
I felt that my prayers for you were heard
nd answered"
Oh wonderful uuselfshness of woman's love
marvellous .constancy of woman's faith