The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-24


else in the world. took it from my bGreao
on Christmas eve, to look over somethingln IL.
| A visitor was announced while was dong so;
hastily thrust it Into the pooket Oh my heSa
dropped the book as was getting oot Oh tne
carriage. lam getting old now and my men,
| DRY fails me-"
smiled. Mrs Eyrle looked at her earnestly;
passing shade of care came over her lace as She
did so: a,.
erly.
| "Gertrnde Fane" she replied.
Mrs Eyrle leaned back YEARLY in her chsir
"You very like some one knew years ago, .
| she said ''some one who is now dead" Some
| thing dimmed those proud eyes for moment
Child she said after moments siience,
| its coutentsf"
mo" replied Gertrude simply. II saw it
contained priv ate papers and memoranda.
did not read them; the card sutnceo 10 Toll liz
| to whom iC belonged"
| az believe you" said the old lady. every
| family has it's secret; mine has one. 1hoee
papers relate to it. Now, tell me, now can
show my gratitude to youf You are not richf'
she asked with an involuntary glance a. the
shabby mourning dress.
"No," replied the Young girl, Der proud face
! flushing hotly, I'VE are very poor"
| Mrs. Eyrle drew out purse.
"Nos that!' cried Gertrude. 30, madam, do
not reward me sol"
| "What can do for you, then I" she asked.
| 81 teach music aud drawing. Ii You could
| find me some pupils My mother and sister are
both i'll, and l am 80 anxious to work for
| them"
| "I can do that" said Mrs. EyIle. As abe
] spoke the pocket book slipped from her hands,
and its contents fell upon the floor From ou5
| of the few papers there rolled massive gold
ring. Gertrude stopped and restored the fallen
treasure to the old lady. She paused one mo
ment before she gave her the ring, looking at
! it earnestly.
|
SIt is strange" said Gertrude, "ry n ether
has one just like it-wi;b tho same motto
| "Loyaltp aud love'-upou 1t"
| Mrs: Eyrle did not answer, ard looking up
Gertrude sa she | I'd fallen back " tn W htte,
wild face. Mucn alarmed, the young girl hur-
ried to her side. She cissped her Rand,
TELL rae that again - SIZE gaspet. "Who
has that ringl'
"My mother" rep'ie Gertrude. when my
father was dying, l saw him take it from his
hand and place il hers. We have wanted
bread since then, but sac would never part
with it,"
Tel! me one thing more" the lady CRIED
| "where did your father die y
'At a little town called. Alsace in Germany,
We were on our way to Mannheim. He was
taken i'll and died there"
Mrs. Eyrle had risen from her seat; the white
look had left her face; q strange new light
came into it. She clasped the young girl in
her arms.
Gertrude Fame" she cried, " if this be true
you are the daughter of the son have lost and
yes" said Gertrude, barely able to artou,
late with surprise, "Jhat is my mothers name
My father made us promise never to use hlt
"Paor boy, poor boy! Gertrude, sit here a.
my feet while tell you tho story of my life
, CHAPTER ".
With lips quivering from emotion. and face
in which Joy ard sorrow were blended VIII
nnutterabIe surprise Gertrude sat where Mrs
, EyTle placed her. The lady's hands wer
casped together and bent upon the fair youn.
head.
cit must have been God that sent you here
! child; have prayed to Him for years. In th'
bitterness and remorse of my heart haV
watched whole nights while Others slept, weep
ing-ah, weeping snch tears as 1 pray ma
never stain your cheeks. have been proud
sinful. naughty woman; l Will humble my sci
to you, aud tell you the cruel, bitter wrong
did.
a wealthy helress IN my own right, and PROUD
> er thanI can express of my ancient family al
= stainless race. was an orphan and quite III
( controlled Nv only guardian was Il made
aunt who humored and INDUCED me in ever
3 Eisb. From sheer opposition to her wishes
0 believe, IN the fret instance, became engage
a to q young officer, lieutenant, In one OF tt
e reCIrneuts then q aartered at Windsor, wheI
, | We resided-Lieuteuaut Arnold Lisle. "a
start, Gertrude; nay, do not lock az me VII
> those streaming eyes, that was yo3r I3 "a; hel
race too. Al hat time he, my husoaud' WI
X fine, brave yonng officer, with nothing
S earta to cepeud on save his profession
r pleased me that could give him all. We we
- married In spite of the violent opposition
{ my &ont; from that moment she never saw
:, spoke to mo again. at her death she lett IL
money to found a hospital; but that did II
1t effect me. was very happy for few yeal
D Your father, Gertrude my poor SOD, was borl
t. soon after, my husband died. 1 was but
,e young widow, and did not wear my wee
l. long. AT the end of three years 1 marrl
again; aud this time a gentleman OF go
c. family and wealth became my husband b
another son, called after his father, Edgar:
e. "Ah, Gertrude, no W shall own my crnel 81
at Will you, can you, believe that loved one
80 those boys far better than the otherf Aud I
one 1 preferred was not my timid, shy, sick
be- Arnold, my fatherless child, but my gay, han
r. some Edgar.
d. He does not resemble you in the leas
Ill toey would say. was vain and foolish enoo
er 70 let that annoy me.
IL know nothing can excuse me- otter
n. excuse. I only pray ID TO pardon me.
g II have been punished SINCE was Puni:
n. ed even t5ed. My second husband died af
.er we bad bee married Blk years, and X as !
of alone with my two sous-Arnold Lisle and
OF gar Evr!". Arnold seemed 20 grow plain