The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-01-02
"It is bad thing to be born poor, my dear

] AZ 10 udu luluR W NO uoEu pVOi1 Auy oooi
"Tbat is trae,o replied he, still more con
frmed in his suspicions--" that is true; but il
is not becoming in the clergy to behave un
justly to the poor"
Hear me, Renzo; can tell you nothing
because know nothing. But can assure yor
my master would not wrong you or any one
and he Is not to blame"
"Who, then, is to blame 2" asked Renzo care
lessly, but listening intently for a reply.
81 have told you already know nothing
my master poor man if he has erred, it has
| been through too great kindness. There are in
] this world men who are overpowerful, knavsh
and who fear not God"
these cannot be his superors." "Come,
said he, with difficulty concealing his inoreas-
| ing agitation, tell me who it is"
"Ah you would persuade me to speak, and
must not, because-I know nothing. I will
! keep silence as faithfully as if had promised
to do 80. You might put me to the torture,
and you could not draw any thing from me.
| Adeu! it is lost time for both of u.s."
Thus saying, she re-entered the garden
hastily, and shut the gate. Renzo turned very
softly, lest at the noise of his footsteps she
beyond her hearing, he quickened his step, and
| in q moment was at the door of Don Abbondio 8
| house; he entered rushed towards the little
parlor where he had left him, and fuding him
still there, approached him with a bold and
furious manner.
"Eh! eh what has happened now :" said
Don Abbondlo.
"Who is this powerful personagei' said
Renzo, with the air of one resolved to obtain an
explicit answer; 'who is be that forbids me
to marry Lucyf'
"What! what! what!' stammered Don
Abbondio turning pale with surprise. He rose
from his chair aud made effort to reach the
door. Bat Renzo. who expected this movement,
was upon his guard; and looking the door, he
put the key in his pocket.
Ah! will you speak now, Signor Curatef
Every one knows the affair but myself; and
by heavens! I'll know it too. Who is it, 1
say p,n :" p.
care what you do; think OF your soul"
II must know it a5 once-this moment" So
saying, he placed his hand on his dagger, but
perhaps without intending it.
Mercy" exclaimed Don Abbondio, in a
stified voice.
II m"at know it"
"Who has told you I"
Come, no more excuses. Speak plainly and
quickly"
"Do you mean to kill met"
mean to know that which have a right
to know"
But if speak I die. Must I not preserye
my life''
Speak, them
The manner of Reno was so threatening and
decided, that Don Abbopdio felt there was DO
possibility of disobeI ing him. "Promise me
-swear," said he, never to tell -"
"T.ll me, tell me quickly his name, or -"
!, at this new adjuration, the poor curate, with
the trembling look of mau who feels the in
strument of the dentist in his mouth, feebly
articulated, "Don -"
towards him, eager to hear the rest. Don't"
"Don Rsderick /" muttered he hastily, tremb-
ling at the sosnd that escaped his lips.
Al! aog shouted kenzo; land how has
he done ita what has he said to you to -"
" What what 7" said Don Abbondio in an
almost contemptuous tone, already gaining
confidence by the sacrifice he had made II
wish you were like myself you would then
meddie with nothing, and certainly you wouId
not have had 80 many whims in yonr head"
he, however, related in terrible colors the
been subdued by fear, displayed itself as he
proceeded; and perceiving that Renzo, be-
tween rage and astonshment, remained mo.
tionless' with his head bent down, continued in
lively manner, you have made pretty
business of it, indeed /! You have rendered me a
notable service. Thus to attack an honest
man, your curate, in his own house in a sacred
place! You have done fine thing truly To
wrest from my mouth, that which I concealed
from prudence, for your own good. And now
that you know it, what will you dot When l
gave you good advice this morning, l bad iudg-
ment for you and me; but believe me- this is no
testing matter, no question of right OF wrong,
but superior power. At all events, open the
door; give me the key"
" may have been to blame" replied Renzo
with softened voice, but in which might be
perceived smothered anger towards his con
cea!ed enemy, may have been to blame but
If you had been in my situation -v He drew
the Eey trom his pocket, and advanced towards
the door.
Swear to me-" said Don Abbondio with q
serious and anxious face
may have been to blame-forgive me-"
renlied Repzo, moving to depart.
Swear drst," said Don Abbondio holding
him trembling by the arm.
may have been to blame," said Reuzo, |
freeing himself from his grasp and immediately
Springing out of the room.
Perpetus! Perpetuaw cried Don Abbondio,
after having in vain called back the fugitive.
Perpetua did not answer. The poor man was
80 overwhelmed by his innumerable difficulties, |
his increasing perplexities, and so apprehensive
81 5os some IN fresh attack, that be conceived the
them all, by going to bed and giving ont that
ne ,, had fever His malady, indeed, was not |
altogether inaginary the terror of the past
day the anxious watching of the night, the
dread OF The future had combined to produce
really the effect. Weary and stupefed. he
'ium6ered in his largeN chair, muttering occa-
sionaiiy IN feeble but passionate voice, per
petua," Perpetua arrived at last with q great
cabbage under her arm, and with as uncon.
oerned a countenance as if nothing had hap
p,ened. We will spare the reader the reproaches.
the accusations, and danials that passed be-