The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-03

T old Hugh, but you don't understand girl, and
4 she does, there's the difference. Why, I was q
3 miserable little fool and she has Taught ma t.
3 prepare myself to be woman. I'm sure
never thought of being WON An at all before
but only of being fool"
T And the song7'
e" Is her own, mueic and words. She does
these things as easily az I'd croohet--all I'm
good for, By the way"
Poetess and musician" he said gently
more to himself than to her
Yes, and unreoognized" !" said Lily indig-
nantly " and those two little verses tell beau
miul!y the story of her present beautiful life.
Oh Hugh y the tone was almost musical in its
joy, there's ghost or-Maxr
de turned. In the doorway stood figure
ooth loved, the figure of the prodgal son,
handsomely dressed, manly erect with the con :
sclousness of truth, altogether transformed ID
since last they saw it. There was some rushing
and kissing, aud then:
| o Max! how did it come about7"
AN angel crossed my path, little sister. su ch
an angel as every good woman can be, aud such
a one as hope you'll prove yet, to some one
worthier of it than "
| -" Bot tell the story"
Let me go to my mother first: let me bring
| her 10 listen No., as they stood up to accom-
pany him. g must be with her awhile alone"
| But Lena" whispered Lily. when he had
gone, " tell me now how much do you love her,
| I" cannot, dear" That was ALL And it was
the echo of the inuost voice of his heart Ah /!
he had yet to learn no" muoa he loved her.
After while, long while, thew came down
together, the mother, all bitterness gone from
her heart, and tie happy new found son load
ing her tenderly. Aud this WAS the story:
Bcledy, have loved good woman since |
left you, an outc.st aud speudJhrift. Al my
rein"rse, all my penitent resolves, all the
energy of my manhood wouid have gone for
nothing ~ tue d ficult task of my reform on
but for the stay OF her beautiful influence. /
went TO her fathers house to seek employment
She school. glsl then like LiI there, was Sit
H. NJ in l,rn- 7
fn must have looked pretty forlorr for /
r"Hlefuoer my principal sensation as l passed
her with bow was, that such glance of pity
as one might bestow on beggar Cana to me
from the Innocent calm of her eyes. Her father
was rather stern than other wise Question ed me
pretty cinseiy, wanted reference. Spoiled and
lonely as was, grew stuug to the caick
Try ME, SIR said / give ME an honest
employment, no matter how humble; let my
conduct answer for reference can abide by
the test
" He reflected; she glided to- him. whispered
softly in his ear could hear the gentle words, |
though they were not meant for mine.
Try him, papa; am sure he is unfortu-
nate
1" He tried me. I was not found wanting
but may thank her my good angel. l was |
often tempted often ready to yield to old |
habits, but when mhered To at this must |
separate me from her pure and lovely presence
blch grew to be heaven for me, resisted and |
then through the privilege of being admitted
to it, learned from her lips from her life, from
her every act the might of prayer and the
truth of religions power. So 1 grew to love
the ground she walked on; to shape my life 80
and more that lam which you cannot see are
the result of her example and her teaching"
Oh, Max" in o hreathless whisper from
Lily " am so glad Where is she 7"
He shook his head, the young, handsome
mead, with It's glory OF shining black waves, and
SAID nothing for moment. Then, with fall
wereG:
Dear, cannot tell, and simple as are these
words, They are a tragedy to 1 may never
see her sgain, and my life is blank without
Hugh, sitting in the quiet lamplight, his
heart full, said earnestly:
NO wonder, Max; God help you, old fellow :"
So" calculated Max, you know" Yes
how well he knew
" But Max, what happened ~ said LILY.
''Oue of the saddest things 1 ever knew. Her
atber wss not a wealthy man, but able to keep
lIs family in something more than comfort. He
Has cashier IN one OF the promi nent banks aud
10 employed me as his private secretary. She
dolIzed this father, indeed, seemed to live for
aim aone. Imagine the terrible trial tha at be-
ell that heart, tender of the failiugs of
others, that have known it to shed tears over
he woes of some poor little street Arab. He 1
vas found murdered in his bed morning, | !
md the next day five thousand dollars were
Missing from the safe in the bank. On inquirinR
nto his affairs, it was discovered that be was
IN the verge of bankruptcy. This circumstance
ct gossipping tongues to work, aud he was
ccused OF embezzling the money, and commit I
inS ou'Sluo W oSC6po ueGeCtlOn. III W6S one OF |
hose cases where either theory could be sup
orted by circumstantial evidence and q dead
nan cannot defend himself, 30 the hitherto
potless character went down into the blood
tsined grave blaokened. Poor Madeline" He
ould not go on, and the listeners could not say {
ne word. After some time he turned to his {
lother
" 1t is not easy to tell the rest, mother" he
aid, as if she of all the world would under
5and. :" All the steadfast truth of her charac !
er came forth then and asserted itself She S
I'd not act like slight aud tender girl, bot q
rled and wonderful woman. She maintained
or fathers innocence; strove in every way to
ave it proved; failed. Then, that one cloud a
lould be removed, she had everything sold. ~
heir handsome house, their furniture, their
coke, their musical Instruments, even her own
'Wels and other ornaments of value. With I,
1e proceeds she paid all her fathers debts, aud
1en was penniless The day after all this 1
'und note awaiting me, when called at the
oor refuge where she had lodged during the
me of trouble, an old servant's house. 1t eaid a,
&C. Good bye, dear Max, 1 must earn a living ~,
ow, and could never do it here. Forgive me r r.