The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-28
NUMBER 4.


abruptly entered.
The light was SO desdened by the lamp shade
that they did not perceive the complete trans-
formation of his face. Dark lines which an
peared the effect of long days of sickness, en-
circled his burning eyes, aud his lips were red
and parched like those of q person In fever.
He threw rapid glance around, and abruptly
asked, Where is Ritaf'
All remained silent; at length Maria said
timidly:
My son, she went for little while to the
feast with neighbor-she must be here soon
she took it into her head-and as it was
Christmas day"
Without answering word Perico turned
suddenly, and left the room. His mother rose
quickly and followed, but did not overtako
him.
II tell you, Maria," said Pedro, chat Perico
ought to beat her well. l would not say q
word to stop him."
Don't talk so. Pedro" answered Maria,
Perico is not the one to strike q woman. My
poor little girl we shall see. What harm Is
there in giving two or three hopsi Old folks,
| Pedro should not forget that they have been
young"
At this moment Anna entered, trembling.
| euro bue SAID, 20 TO Tue IoAots"
al" answered Pedro; "You are cooli ann
ont of all patience with that same feast. II
Perico warns his wife's ribs, he will be we'll
employed che shall not dry her tears upon my
pocket-handkerchief."
"Pedro, go to the feast!r said Anna again,
but this time with such an accent of distress,
that Pedro turned his head and sat staring OF
her.
Anna caught him by tb, arm, ICED him to
! rise, drew him aside, and spoke few rapid
words to him in q low voice.
| The old man as he listened gave half-sup-
| pressed cry, clasped his hands across his fore
head, caught mp his hat and hastily left the
house.
CHAPTER XIII.
Ventura and Rita were dancing at the feast,
animated by that which mounts to heads
wanting in age or wanting in sense by that
which blinds the eyes of reason, silences pru-
dence, and puts respect to flight; that Is to
say, wine; a love entirely material, q voluptu-
GUS dance, executed without restraint, amid
foolish drunken applause.
In truth they were q comedy pair. Rita
moved her charming head, adorned with
flowers, and tossed her person to and fro with
that inimitable grace of her province, which 10
at will modest or free. Her black eyes shone
like polished jet, and her fingers agitsted the
castanets in defiant provocation. She had in
Ventura a partner we'll suited to her. Never
was the fandango danced with more grace and
sprightliness.
The excited singers improv Used according to
cnstom) coHplets in praise of the brilliant
pair:
Throw roses red roses,
The belle Of the ball.
For her beauty and grace
She merits Them all.
and tonight in the feast,
By public acclaim,
10 her and ventura
Ts given the palm"
During the last changes when the claPpingS
and cheers were redoub led, Perico arrived and
stopped upon the threshold.
Occupied as all were with the dance, no one
noticed his arrival, and Ventura conducting
Rita to a room where they were refreshments,
passed close beside him as he stood in the
shadow, without being aware of his presence.
As they passed he heard words between them
which confirmed the whole extent of his mis-
fortune; all the infamy of the wife he loved
80 fondly, of the mother of his children all the
treachery of q friend and brother.
The blow was 80 terrible that the unhappy
man remained for q moment stunned; but re-
covering himself, he followed them.
Rita stood before a small mirror arranging
the flowers that adorned her head.
"Withered," said Ventura, ''why do you put
on roses 7 Is it not known that they always die
of envy on the head of handsome woman ~
"Look here, Ventura" said one Of his
friends, "you appear to like the forbidden
fruit better than any other"
al" responded Ventura, Z" like good fruit
though it be Eorbidden.s
q Tehak Il. fnHi II nafd a frfauN Of