The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-17
Published by permission Copies for sale at a. by the
Catholic Publication Society, New York
ONLY A PIN!
Translated from the FreD of j. T. De ST. German
p. s.,
Graduate Of St. Jo.eph'S Emmittsburg, Md.
lContinued.l
SNIII
HtdkHcsS.

XIII
HtakHcsS.
Woman, that delicate aud fragile being, ap-
parently destined to life OF trlVolty ana
reDose often copceas in her heart mex xhaustible
treasures of strength and energy, when her ma |
ture has not been drained By the thousand
vanities OF an artificial existence. ,-
And man, though rejoicing in the assumption
of superiority, not untreq uently proves himself
weak and powerless before the shafts OF mis-
fortune. Remembering this, we shall not be
astonished to find George completely changed.
Active and energetic he pursues his daily
labors with his usual assiduity, but seldom
miuRles in company, or participates with AMI
mation in the pleasant relax ations Afforded him
through the unremitting kindness of Monsieur
and Madame Wolff
The winter passed quietly and slowly. few
1, messages, o few souvenirs, charmed the papgs
of absence yet George was not himself. He
had lost that spirit of penetration and ardor in
business which was formerly 30 prominent
feature of his character; he awaited orders
and executed them promptly, but from sense
Of duty, and not with the interest, the eager
ness he had heretofore displayed. His thoughts
ware elsewhere, and Jeanne was the constant
theme-Jeapne, pale and thin, reclining in the
big arm chair, Anna carefSny watching over
her and Madame Blanchem2ir delivering n
thousand discourse0 by way of consolation.
In her letters, however, there was not the
slightest trace of sorrow she encouraged and
oomforted George with sprightliness and
Raiety almost Incredible to him who knows
the anxiety, the weighty cares, OF thas heart
he had once imagined the abode of peace.
The twelve pictures for Canada had been
aS@iTed nSrShe% h7 " NJ Wolf, and approved by Re
doute, who was sometimes q guest of the
banker. New orders were given, aud ACTIVITY
continued to reign ip the studio of the little
white house.
One of the first bright rays of spring, George
received Il pictnre that had not been ordered
The letter of delivery informed bim thai IT wa!
n thirteenth gratis, according to established
custom. 1t represented q basket of moss filled
with q graceful profusion of myosotis, eglan
\ G-;a. rr.NfNxr h
ealaptine somewhat crushed and weary look
ing dropped over the eide of the basket ss /
expiring, and, creeping along the edge OF th
picture, seemed to express the artists sigma
ture.
Never was a work of art more loviDgl
oaressed by it's creator Than this not eve
MGnons delicate pencil lowered more tepdsrly
linReripRly, over those fair creations of genin
which still adoru the Louvre. Over the noss
in and ont through the trellis-work of tn
basket shone the myoso;is. whilst the drops q
dew that the blue iris wept glittered like dla
mouds of the first water.
George, with q burst of admiration, oonl
almost have kuelt before this unparallele
page of beauty. He stood o long time in silen
contemplation. almost fancying he could sc
these fragile flowers swaying in the breeze, c
poor Jeanne, nearly exhausted with her life {
nnremitting toll, patiently bending over he
He at length began to inquire into the my
Gionl sense of these flowers, thrown toRetht
without any apparent order and soon unde
stood that, whether from chance or intention
the initial letter OF eacn, Wnen arranged In C1
order have enumerated, spelt Me-r' c
He had no longer doubt that the little spra
of eglantine stray nG along the edge of the pi
6ure with dewdrop RliGtering on its hear
was Jeanne's portraiture.
How he admired. how he spent hours befo
this beautiful work of art, this elCq uent thouE
Bpeechless messenger!
One dag, whilst thus engaged, q letter WI
handed him. The tremulous characters We
familiar.
"My dear NJ George" said the missivc, at
promised to tell you the truth, for our pot
children are TOO brave aud too proud TO con
plain themselves, ought not to leave you
ignorance that they have had great deal
trouble here lately, more than usual, an
Jeanne is nearly overcome. do not kno" u
cause of it, for they have told the nothing; bl
two lawyers have been here. DO not con
Yourself, for Jeanne would not pardon yet
want of compliance with your promise. wal
you, that you can lind some mean
through the help of some discreet friend,
inform you of what is going on. cannot n
wise yOu what to do, but perhaps your Ow
heart will be inspired with some coed though
Adieu, and keep mp your courage. Your d
voted friend, WIDOW bLANCHEMAIN."
This situation of affairs seemed frigbtful
George His protegees defenceless again
powerful adversaries; poor Jeanne, worn oil
by toiIAnd suffering, opposing the slight ba
rier of her energy alone against the tide
troubles she so persistently concealed fro
himself aud Madame Blanchemain, her mo
intimate friend-he could stand such torme
no longer he felt released from his promi
by the very peril in which Jeanne was place
encountered upon the threshold the friend
faoe Of BoTgheSe.
"You are always my guardian angel, de
alone can save me. / am unhappy, and c'
have no better oOn6dSnte than you, my goo
indulgent friend"