The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-03

pected request. As he retired, his last looh
| encountered Jeanne's calm, steadfast gaze, re-
4 fecting the emotions of his own heart.
| He was in DO haste TO leave st. German, fol
| the day was beautiful, and he wished to ling 81
| and pondering upon the morning's adventures
| Everything appeared to him wise, interest
| ing, suitable; and even the naive familiarity
| of good Madame Banchemain lost its ludicrous
| aspect when be reflected that, to these poor
| orphans, she supplied the place of q friend
| con fdante, preceptress, family. He under
stood, too, that Jeanne had placed herself On.
| der Code protection before touching his hand
| under the church porch, when he offered her
| the holy water.
He remembered her prudent interrogatious
upon the road, ere giving him access To their
house, and also OWNED the sisters apprehen
| sions.
Their reserve in not Introducing him TO their
| own apartments on his 6rst visit, but in placin z
themselves under Madame Banchemains pro-
| lection, he also approvingly remembered; in
| fact, nothing escaped him, not even the good
| lady's indiscreet revelations that they were
suffering, and help had not come too soon.
And indeed, if pleased with the excellent
pictures displayed, he was still more 80 with
Jeannes simplicity of manner, and the elder
sisters motherly tenderness towards her He
had spent very pleasant day, aud after q
stroll in these sombre woods, repCsing upon the
tufted odoroDs he'll bs, inhaling the intoxicating
perfume distilled from the sap of vigorous oaks,
he returned to Paris. his lingering glances still
seeking the fading horizon.
Jeanne, Anna, Madame Blanchemain, re-
mained seated ip the little room.
All JeanneW said Anna; " what ave you
donef WHAT did we promise our poor mother
That no stranger should enter our house with
out an introduction or recon- mendalo from
some of the friends she left us. Aud you have
asked him to return-I heard your
Don't fear, my good sister" replied Jeanne;
Nyou see that know exactly how to make him
talk; We are acquainted with him now; and,
besides, had seen him before"
You had You never told mel" said Anna
little anxiously.
jeanne, with q slight blush, told in as indif-
ferent manner as possible the history of the
pin WHICH she had promised to keep.
Ny children said Madame Blanchemain,
" it is right to be very prudent, but you have
nothing TO reproaoh yourselves With, in any
way at all. Bot if you wish to sell your paint
ings. if you have spent all your money in Paris
learning this art, You can't shut you doors
against purchasers; my little Anna, you must
since You are such bsbiesf Then, another
thing, my dear children, you always seem to
forget that you need money. You never COM
plain, you are always content bat know ho
you live-go, 1 know it all very WE'LL"
And with tho back of her fat hand she wiped |
away the tears from one eye. which always
wept moro easily than the other
Ahi we'll, here is the money you have SO
nobly earned" continued she, rattling the five !
gold pieces in her hand. "Here, Mademoiselle |
Housekeeper, take me, and do not be too mi |
Providence, and he will return me fvefold. |
Now embrace me, and take all these paintings |
lp stairs for l am going to set my little table, |
and might spoil them.'
kindness, and, embracing her tendery, ascend
ID to their own apartment, pleased and en-
with this fest sale of their pictures
XVII.
4 Mother
George did not tarry long at Paris, but took
advantage of his few days holiday to visit his
rood mother, from whom he had been separated
ome years.
She lived in little village in Normandy,
pending, in recollection and prayer, the last
lays of an eventful trying life.
Having, by her energy alone, provided for
he establishment of her numerous family, she
low began to feel the need of quiet and repose
Ter daughters married and settled in the
villages often came TO relieve the
of her solitude, and an unexpected
Inheritance had supplied her old age with thai
comfort and ease which were wanting to her
'outh.
George found her alone; he had Left home
Ehen very young, and his visits tkere were
'nly at rare intervals Necessity, that wise
COUNSELLOR, having gifted him with uncommon
it was no longer boy, youth, but
man, who now re entered the maternal roof
The old servant who had attended his child
rood was still there, delighted to announce his
eturn.
The house cheerful and we'll situated
everything about it bespoke order, manage
nent, simplicity. His mother was kneeling
before her crucitix; he assisted her TO rise, for
mo " ae olu dbu IcSole ebb bHOJ"ltESl2oQlnR
his advanced age, her features still retained
hat dignity and majesty of expression which
oetoken pure soul. She received him with
Ill the cordlality and tenderness of a mothers
leart.
IL have often thought of you, dear son, and
.hnnked God tor having, after life of struggles
Aud trials, blessed my old age with many
Left alone at an age when
guidance is most needed, you have nobly
Avoided the slippery paths SO seducing to many
others; religion and fiIial piety have conducted
-FOUR steps in the right way. How often have
,egretted not being able to pass my declining
Tears with you Bat am now too old ts make
my changes my lot is to remain here. sur
founded by the afectionate attention of your
listers. Your letters have added much to the
happiness of my life, and even n. Wolff has
written, assuring me of the confidence and
esteem he feels for you. May God bless you,
ny child, for having been such a comfort to
four mother"
Dear mother" replied George, ait is a cruel
law of nature, that which scatters families. 1t
8 near You that ought and would like to stay,
striving by my affection and devotion to make
some very slight return for all the cares, the
trials, the sutferiugs aud sacrifices of your past
No har Yhar IL