The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-16

fathers trsuquillity required it; from him, 81
from Oil the world, would hide my secret, anc
would carry It with me to the grave. Thus
at least, would have preserved you from th'
sorrow which the discovery of my feeblsnesl
would inevitably occasion yon."
Would to God that you had never betrayed
this teritble secreti" sighed DIR. Heuvels
touched by his daughters words. "Wnat bitter
disenchantment should have been spared ~
was weak, father, and was overcome by
Barbars's unexpected recital. 1t is the truth
l pray God every day to remove Adolphus from
bere. L would willingly fly to the end of the
| world to avoid any recollection of him +; bat to
learn that he was going to marry another, to
nave my sorrows treated with indifference, are
you surprised, father, that my heart, should
| break at this unexpected newsr
An angry movement contracted the DOCTORS
| ued:
"No, father, do not be displeased with me ;
| 1t was but passing emotion. Have compass
| sion on your poor child, who desires to combat
| her own heart, but who is not strong enough
frightened my spirit; instead of grieviog at
this marriage, rejoice at it. am happy that
iS Is to take place, and thank God for raising
| THE barrier between Adolphus and myself.
will and strength to surmount this sorrow.
will become cheerful by conscientiously reflect
ing upon the future l will console you by
you, and 1 will concentrate all the powers of
my life in one sentiment-thel love of my good,
| my tender father"
Tears of sensibility and tenderness glisten ed
In the DOCTORS eyes, buG he continued silently
| to regard his daughter.
Adeline clasped her hands. and again spoke !:
81 pray you, my dear father, forgive me-
Hereafter there shall be no secrets between us
You will assist me to discard my former menu
cries, and, strengthened by you, will conquer
them. On have pity on me. Restore me to
your confidence, yous love. will bless you to
my last eigh."
DR.. Heuvels. vanquished by his .daughter's
tender applications, took her in his arms and
pressed her to his braast, saying, in q sup
pressed voice:
"Ah it did not suffice them to render your
father unhappy They must also entsnale you
cruel wound. Be oonsoled Adeline. forgive
you, my poor child."
The father and daughter, clasped in a fond
embrace, mingled their tears of love.
CHAPTER TX.
Mr.. Yam Rorst
Adolphus had been seated in his study for
more than quarter of an hour, questioning
his heart what reply to give his mother. The
contest with himself must have been both diff
hoult and distressing, for his face bore traces
or severe suffering and great affection. On his
lips, no viewer, rested q tranquil and resigned
smile. which manifested his complete sabmis.
sion. Assureely he had resolved, for the love
of his mother, to consent to a marriage that
far from rendering him happy, prepared for
him future of suffering. At one time be made q
gesture of despair, and raised his eyes to
bitter cup but he soon recollected the inutility
of resistance. and he let his head drop his
breast aud heaved deep sigh. At last he rose
with sudden determination, and said:
Why prolopg this cruel struggled There is
no way of avoiding il. must collect all my
strength to accomplish this sacrifice"
He made a step towards the door, but stop
ped, as it detained by an invisible baud.
So 1 will become the husband of Con-
stance" he murmured. "Feign love for her,
and think of another whose image has filed
Give her, in return for her generous friendship,
a cold. Indifference. Will not this marriage
render me guilty in the sight of God7 Alas
my mother, my poor mother! Can one be cul-
pable, those every hope is sacrificed to the per-
formance of dutyf All but if the image of
another woman remains ever between Con-
stance and myselfp
This thought made him tremble. He passed
his hand across his brow, vexed BY his own
rresolution. re
n After a few moments, he calmed his sgitated
sselings and removed his resigned but sad
tone:
"No; it is my Imagination that paints this
necessity in such gloomy colors: Constance is
good and amiable. Why conld not love her 7
Has she not beauty united to all the moral
qualities which render woman worthy of
lovef But Adelinef l will forget her. If she
has shown me strong and sincere Affection, it
was but the friendship she had for the Con-
panion of her childhood or, if another senti
meat had place in her heart, she was herself
unconscious of it, For more than three months
she has avoided me. She turns her head in
order not to see me; she is displeased with me
because my residence in the village annoys her
IAGner LII may Do Gnab sne parCAkeS ner fatn6r'6
hatred against me. Why should be influenced
by foolish hopef No, no; my fate is decided.
No more hesitation. will yield to my mothers
wishes. Constance shall become my cherished
wife,"
He again ad vanced to the door, but was ar
rested by the strong impression of some anxious
thought.
cab! if Adeline's heart bears for me the
affection l have for her." he sighed " if the
love have thought to read in her eyes since
my return to the village should not be an illu-
sion, into what despair will the announcement
of my marriage throw her! Could she not then
justly accuse me OF plungng a sword into her
heart and uupityingly deS troying the happiness
of her life Can thus repay the tender affec-
tioh of one who smiled on me from early child
hood, and W no seemed to promise me an eternal
attachment Oh, my God in mercy grant
that Adelne may heap with Indifference of my,
marriage"
As he uttered these words, he slowly turned
from the door and threw himself into chair
All his courage abandoned him. He rested his
head on a table and hid his face in his banda
Whilst he was thus absorbed in thought, his
study door was opened and closed, aud Frances
entered noiselessly.
HAdnIohua Won have heen an long alone that