The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-12-17


pieces' There monsieur, that is what call
open handedness, generosity, heert! Alb! you
begin to have more favorable opinion OF
poor ID. Doucet, of whom they have said SO
many hard thingsl If you are a well-disposed
man, you can arrange this matter; it is aim
pie misunderstanding"
sIndeed I will arrange itp answered
George seriously. II have now obtained al!
the information wish, and You will still fiod
me in your path before your iniqnitons work
is finished! Good by, monsieur"
"As you please, monsieur replied Doucet,
following him to the door, and crying after
him from the top of the steps; bat in business
we must keep our temper. bid you friendly
good-by."
The Portrait.
George was furious fastening to Paris, he
| consulted a learned lawyer, who promised him
to examine into the affair. He felt little en-
couraged to the result for Borghese told
him that she had particularly counselled the
| two friends to make no promises and sign no
One day, he was seated in his room, gazing
sadly at the precious pledge sent him M from s 81;
miserable you would be to see the children you
watched over aud protected now 30 defenceless
| against persecution! Bat promise, dear
mother, to fill your place. He opened his
secretary and, making q note of his savipes
| perceived that in all he could produce snth-
| cient amount to wrench the receipt from the
hands of this unworthy Doucet, IN case his
| lawyer saw other means of e4trlcatlDg the
sisters from their adversaries.
| Whilst admring the angelic sweetness OF
| this pastel, in reality beautiful work OF art,
| he noticed strange lire, slight wrinkle,
over the ewes, which somewhat marred the
tone and effect Of the painting. Having ob
served it more attentively, he supposed that in
some way or other a paper could have slipped
behind, and, as the color appeared coanged by
courr ,st, he undertook to remedy this defect.
Six little crooked nails held the picture IN its
| fame.
| He drew ont the ails very cautiously, so as
TO avoid iojuring the fragile pastel, ard
double paper indeed fell at his feet Careless
IL enongh he picked IT up, but his indifference
| vanish ed at sight of that one word "Wlu d"
written upon the euvelop in trembling hand.
His face was pallid, his heart beat violently !;
| tins envelop contained the last words of an
adored nlother-to him had been reserved the
| transmission of her last desire.
He attempted to unfold the paper, which
was sealed but his courage failed leav.
ing everything in disorder, he ran TO his good
friend Borghese, and, sejzing her hand, excit-
, edly exclaimed
Read it'll"
"What is it - said Borghese. Chow agi-
, tated you are Do you wish to make your
t strength which is necessary to defend your
, | friendsf Ab! some documents that have
} reached you from st. Germsin. They'll not kill
you y
And she really held in her hand stamped
r paper which was detached from the envelope
Casting her eye over it, an expression of sur
prise and then of heartfelt satisfaction, illu
q mined her mobile countenauce.
I George" said she I" sit down and compose
u yourself; be prepared to hear either good OF
bad news with the forti5ude becoming good
:, sensible man. How can you assume the care
d of others, if you are not master of yourself
/. Bat will dispense with the rest of the sermon
" now, and give it to you some other time
y Listen, whilst read this little paper which
y Providence sends you. Bat whilst tlliuk o
it, how did this precious article get into you
, handsi"
,. "Ib was behind the portrait of my mother,
" said he.
y "Yes; now understand all poor woman
] oh. 1, ,ha nj q TnI . tPF
ot NV children. said she, would lose, wonl'
c. suffer, every thing, rather than part with tEei
"a mothers portrait. Then sickness came, snc
death at last surprised her, per hap-, before sh'
IN had time TO tell where her treasureS We're con
m cealed."
,e Her treasurer exclaimed George What
do you say y
id "Listen carefully, and don't interrupt me
re not even to express approbauon"
A. She read
81 "I, the undersigned, Hercules Doueet. re
a siding at Nantes the Elegant, R1e des Pres
ps Number Il, acknowledge having reoeiveC
ys from the widow Madame Duval the cum o
ed thirty thousand francs in specie, which sun
to is destined first, to pay me for an advance o
ry ten Thousand francs which made her, an
secondly, to form q reserved fund of twent!
n Thousand francs, which 1 will reimburse upoi
dy demand, after three months written warn
w ing; the said sum remaining, moreover, unde
on precisely the same stipulated terms, in case o
the decease of the said Madame Daval, AM
sir with the interest at five per cent from presen
date.
on (Signed) HERCULES DOUCET.
IN. Nantes the Elegant, Dec. Is, lG-.'"
- 90 George! my child, it is God who leads u
OF by the handl What do you think of this
;, They are in our power now, and your Douce
II will pay dear for his rascaity!"
What words could express the happiness c
We George, what words depict his overpowerin
or emotIons-his protsges rescued from povert
as and grief peace and urosperitv about to ente
on the white house
ia go, dear Borghese" said he; "don's los
ID, one instant in carrying the good news"
tn "And this WILL" replied Borghese-" ough
as we not to inspect its contents 7 1t is not eve
les sealed"
,st ain pitv. do not touch this holy thing: it
20 a secret of which God alone should be th
nu witness!'
T., :, You are right, George; you are learnin
lk thoughtfulness and wisdom. Go now, inforI
M our lawyer, and get his advice. Then, tc
We morrow, / will start for st. Germain you ar
nG not yet permitted to make your appearance
cir thers and Won mnst keen vour vow r n h