The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-10-10
the answer. / am Father jerome, and am
yonr fathers most confidential friend"
al


yonr fathers most confidential friend"
She trembled q little.
Now" he went on, can understand that
your agitation is very natural. Do not hurry
to speak, but feel that, to me. You may speak
unreseryedly, whatever you wish to say in an
swer to his note"
al wish, sir-I wish to say nothing; / only
wish TOGO to him"
II was quito impossible for that priest, old in
the service of souls, and accustomed to facing
the most narrowing scenes, to control his feel
ing at this. 1t merely escaped, however, in
simple "Dso Gratiasw and q quiet clasp of the
hands. Then said he:
mother, and these hands baptized you into the
Catholic Church. would have you know that
any sacrifice yon make for him is made for one
worthy OF it. Do nothing hastily, but remem-
ber that Justice and truth are Gods, and false
hood and wrong the worlds. The one endures
to Immortality itself; the other perishes mis-
assure you of the validity of his claim, and
bring you to see him, whenever you may ap-
poiu; an interview. After you see him, you
can reflect and decide for the future"
"Now, sir" she said eagerly, can you take
me to him p
| He smiled
'Certainly," he said; you are glad, then, to
"Only-only," she answered, claspipg her
hands as they might be clasped in prayer, "my
heart is rejoicing that l find my father, /
I and shame at bis sad story" And she left the
room, as if afraid to trust herself to say
more.
"Wonderfuln solloquized the old priest,
| "miraculous, to be found in the midst of such
influences! Women's rights, divorce ad lbitnm,
free-love unmeasnred, strongmindedness the
throne of all. All! powers of the Evil One,
the sacrament of baptism had set its seal on
that soul, and | think, yes, am pretty near
unreservedly believing it has escaped ye"
The subject of the soliloquy opened the door,
and it ended. Indeed, it was not very long
till the wondering girl stood alone in the pres
ence of her father.
face alone gave her welcome, she en-
tered the room : o face that shone out in that
| moment of supreme emotion, with q majesty
of light never to be forgotten, no matter what
the future might bring forth. For the hands
lev bandsged and helpless before the reclining
torture, more powerful than any of iron or
steel. All! no voice could have spoken half 80
loudly to her heart, as the call which this help
lessness sent forthi She answered it by COM
ing to the breast that she knew to be q
fatherfs. 1t was silence then for awhile, that
exquisite, indescribable silence, wherein God
holds our best emotions, and wells the le,I most
not of earth, but heaven that uttermost i'm,
nossibility of language only fully understood
by him who is omni Wnen, 81 lengl9,
its SPELL was broken, they weIe 9ttinR moIuS :rS
that softly dropped down into tLe Deau1liuA
depths. o,;,5 ~
| She could not answer this first SOUND OF u :
! voice. for which she had so longed 1t hela
heavens music for her unaccustomed ear, anu u
struck dumb he. owp, 49,, ...1.ng S:."nce' ~
might speak again. And even in that moment
IL struck her with a feeling impossl bic TO De
described, that he had given the hrst Thought,
thc first words to God it went to her heart
wore than the enhancing tenderness OF what
followed. .....-
n little W lille "let me hear the voice that
have so often heard in dreams. but always,
! aiw ays, as q little baby's babbling my, name
f "Father." The word oyerpowered her. She
3 could say more. But, to him, 1t was all
r n world of finished language.
r "a womans voice" h"Sos'e"offco". ".-' nela' L
me turued capital ,"Aze- art as
q to himself, looming fromthe tender deptns
a n womau's heart! And" in ecstasy this
c mine! my rery own." ,.r, J.,
Now che found words, now she htteo ne
head from it's beloved resting place. and spok
~ "a she had come to speak.
~ ~ Eyes. father" she said, all the earnestne
as If her soul shining from the eyes hxed upo
u his in gaze of love; your very own,
ut the more intensely 30, for your bitter separ
ia tionfrom me in the past all the more col
ie pletely SO, for the fact, that l am to be u
in stoner for my mothers fault; all the more III
a chaugeably 30, because you need me. Oh,
in fatEerw and she knelt and kissed the poo
On handaged hands; "let me take the place
iy these let my life take the place OF n
Mothers; let my present blot out your "
IN fnl past. This is whatI came to say. ke'
'o' HOh, my God - be said, in voice that cou
I'm not rise aOONe u whisper AAohL
y ing agitation, what miracle is thisf But
abe does not understand, she does not knt
n what she offers. Listen, dear; could not
,s! YOU do this"
1se "Why I" she asked, very calmly.
,b Tho sacrifice would be too great; au
mn DOOR man, and you have been brought up
luxury. Come TO me often allow yourself
YER be under my influence, aud will be satisfied
mn Il will remain here at your feet" was
Ike answer, "till you say you will keep me alwa
father. If you can bear poverty, 80 can l.
ita- am willing to give up all for you
in. You have a lover, dear"
,is. She bowed her head. One sweet and tent
|. of glance went back into the past, which Il
.ith been beautiful to her. Then, o society folio
40 ed that moment of renunciation, whereof J
her were never to know the truth, and wher
r. you could never understand the loftiness. 1
man who had made study of the human hea
was and whose skillful pen had painted all its w
her derful phases with the touch of genius,
1ten watching her tenderly.
ION Father" she said, in moment, my he
avs has now hidden him farewell"
T, to "Ob, God, )" he prayed, accept the sacLif
was Not for me, but for thee. Let this noble he's
i a which can so conquer itself for mere hun
Nhaa l,yrt haC naaf "