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

AS PericO opened the gate MS faithful COM
panion, the good Melampo, came to his side
go bsck!' said Perico, giving him a
kick.
The poor animal, little used to i'll treatment,
fell back astonished but Immediately, and
with that absence of resentment which makes
the dog q model of abnegation in his affection,
as well as fidelity, darted to the gate in order
to follow his master. 1t already shut
Then he began to howl mournfully, as if to
prove the truth of the instinct of these ami
mails when they announce a catastrophe by
their lamentations.
CHAPTER XIV.
On the following day, when sleep had dis
PEELED from Ventures brain the remaining
fumes that confused his reason, he rose as
deeply ashamed as he was sincerely penitent.
lie, therefore, listened to the just and sensible
charges which his father made against his
proceedings, past and present, without con-
| tradicting them.
"All you say is true, father" he answered
"and can only tell you that did not know
what was doing but feel it enough now |!
The wine, the cursed wine! 1 will ask Perco's
pardon before all the village. 1 owe it more
to myself than even to him have offended"
"You promise, then, to ask his pardon :"
"a hundred times, father"
"You will marry Elvraf"
with all my heart"
"And treather well 7"
"By this cross" said Ventura, making the
sign with his fingers"
| "You and she will go to Alcala I"
eyes, sir, if it were to the end of the world"
Pedro looked at him moment with deep
emotion, and said:
"Well, then, God bless YOU my son."
| Both went to Annals in search of Perico,
but he had gone out, Anna told them. At
sight of them, but still more on noticing the
joy and satisfaction which shone in Pedro's
face, Annals vague but distressing fears " ere
tranquillzed, and, more than all, Venturas
manner filed her with hope, for she saw that
he approached Elvira and talked to her with
interest and tenderness, while Pedro said, With
mysterious air and winking toward Ventura,
THAT young fellow is in q hurry to be mar.
ried. You mustn't take 30 long to prepare the
wedding things, neighbor; young people are
not so sluggish we old ones"
They soon left, Ventura for the hacienda at
which he was employed Pedro, who was
going to his wheat-feld, accompanied him,
eu0if Aofho ueiHB inc same. 1De wheat was
very fine, but full of weeds.
"The weeds are awake" said Ventura
Give them time," replied Pedro, "and they
will vanquish the wheat because they
are the legitimate offspring of the soil. The
wheat is it's foster child. But, with the favor
) of God, wheat will not be lacking in the house
for us and for more that may come"
They separated and Ventura disappeared il
the olive-grove Pedro remained looking
after him.
Not even king" he said to himself, cha,
son like mine Nor is there his equal in al
} Spain. If he is noble in person, be is NOR,
noble in soul"
Ventura had advanced but few steps int
; the grove when he Perico at a little dis
tance coming from behind tree with hi
gun.
II have something in my face, thanks t,
YOU" he shouted, that provokes laughter.
have also something in my hand that stops
laughter. l am coward and killer of 10
Gusts, but know how to rid myself of the re-
proach you have put upon me-"
Perico, what are you doing % cried Ven
tura, running toward him to arrest the action
But the shot had been sent on it's dresdf u
Pedro heard the report aud started.
What is that I" he exclaimed; but wha
should it be 7" he added upon reflection. "Ven
tura has perhaps shot partridge. 1t sounded
: near. 1 will go and &c.,"
, He hurriedy follows the path his son ha
taken, sees form lying upon the ground; ap
proaches it-God of earth aud heaven! 1t is
wounded man, and that man is his son TIL
poor old man falls down beside him.
Father" Ventura says, 81 have som
u strength left; calm yourself and help me Ce
u. to the hacienda; it is not far, and let the1
send for confessor, for l wish to die like
Christian"
The God of pity gives strength to the poo
old man. He raises his SOD, who, leaning mo
his shoulder, walks few steps, REFRESHING tn
groans which anguish wrings from his breast
At the hacienda they hear pitiful voic
> calling for succor; all run out and see, comm
along the path, the unfortunate father sur
porting upon his shoulder his dying son. The
'' meet and surround them
| nria ~,