The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-15
NUMBER 81.
THE FISHERMAN's DAUGHTER.
BY HENDRIcK CONSCIENCE.
CHAPTER TX.
The Retarn.d Captain-H, Story.

I The Returned Captain-His Story.
The inmates Of Father Stocks cabin were
| seated around the table waiting for q oup oi
coffee after dinner. NJ de Milval had annonnes =;
his dot termination of leaving in three dave. and
| they were speaking Of the long journey he Wa
about to undertake before his Wounda vepe
healed. Bella had sested herself by his
side, and concealed the sadness Of her own
heart in order to distract the young man from
melancholy thoughts. Aunt Clara, with the
same intention, was predicting TO the invalid
the success Of the allied armies, his return to
his country, and the ,storation of his patri-
mony.
The door suddenly opened, and Joseph, gasp
ing for breath, appeared on the threshold.
His eye fell first upon n. de Milval and Bella
seated side by side The sight appeared to pro-
duce painful effect upon him, and to check
the words he was about to utter.
" What insect has stung you, idiot 7" aaked
Annt Clara, in an angry tone. "You fall into
the house like bombshell. Are you acting
like man with common sense 7"
The fisherman shook his head as il to drive
away importunate Thoughts and said with
great voluOility:
81 bring You important news. The French
have defeated the allies in a great battle. Toe
whole country is overruu. Brussels is taken !:
Furnes is filled with infantry, cavalry and field
pieces"
:. impossible! these are false reportsp ex-
claimed all, arising from the table.
'False reportsw repeated Joseph "Imyself
cav two French soldiers"
"Yon saw themP interrupted Aunt Clara.
Az Aulnk0IRI
mo; in the downs, 6 short distance from
here, in Aha path which of necessity obIigos
them top this house, 1 ran TO give notice
to M de Miivai, that be might make his Escape
Alas! alas! what can we dot" exclaimed
Bella, in terror.
And she placed herself before the youpR man
as If to protect him from danger.
Hide yourself in the cellar, sir" said Aunt
Clara.
In the barn: under the old nets" said the
Why this fearf" said the Young man. tran
gully. "The French soldiers are, in all proba-
bilty, simply going to the beach. They may
not enter the house, and should they do 90,
they would not recognize me. Be calm my
friends; let us sit down and act az though we
h ad cause for fear"
mo STR" replied Joseph, lyon must conceal
Yourself. / have reason to believe that these
soldiers are in search OF you; the Vagrant of
the Beach told me just now that be would be
avenged on you"
On me and whyf"
"You need not believe that" said Aunt Clara,
who had taken her stand at the door no a Benti-
mel, TO give notice of the appearance of any one
IN the road. Ko Smell is always tormentiuR
Joseph, bat he has too good heart to injure
any one"
"And say. that if he has not already be-
,rayed n. dc Milval, he will do it. For the love
IF God, conceal yourself, sir. aud mako haste,
or they cannot be too far off ;"
The young man, rs II forming his resolution
~ q sudden impulse, took the hand Of the
blind man and his daughter, and said, with
leep emotion:
"Adieu, my good friends; will never forgot
'our wonderful devotion to the poor stranger
What are you going to dol Where will you
20 ~ said Bella, weeping.
must leave Immediately. If nv retreat
lAs been betrayed, and the soldiers find that
'ou have afforded me shelter, it would bring
eSvy misfortunes on your heads. God pre-
erve me from such basenesS! ! would choose
leath a thousand times! y
At these words, n. de Milval turned to leave
he house, but Bella caught his arm, and sought
o detain him. Joseph barred the way by
'laciDg himself before the door:
What yOu wish to do is impossible, sir. Tho
ountry swaTms with sOldiery from Furnes to
sruges. You rushing infallibly to destruG-
ion"
o nick, quick - exclaimed Aunt Clara, rush-
ng terrified into the apartment. They are
My little way off. They are coming"
"Joseph," said the blind man, conduct d.
@ NilvaI to the cabin abandoned by Peter
inlle. No one ever passes it. After the SOL
iers are gone, We will consider what can be
one. implore you, sir, to yield to our wishes;
o rot hesitate q moment"
Father" said the young girl may / ac-
ompany Joseph i-but no, Suppose the soldiers
aoud do you harm -
who would harm blind old mani Have No
,ar, my child"
will return as soon as zee him in a place
safety"
She ran after Joseph, who had taken the
sntleman by the arm and led him through the
oor of the stable to the downs.
Aunt Clara, pale as death, had gone to TIE
" side of the room and fixed her eyes in
Fri ght upon the door; the blind man seated
imself. awaiting whatever might happen.
A stifed cry escaped Aunt Clara ns she two
Ulcers entered, surprised by the terror they
Aused.
You are afraid Of mel you do not recognise
10 n said the old soldier, in sad but friendly
me of voice.