The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-05

When the door opened, they shuddered with
| fear.
| Captain Louis Stock entered, made them q
| sign TO approach, and said, in q low tOne:
| :" Do not interrupt me; time is precious.
The General is touched by Bslla's affection
and her entreaties. There lie still ono means
of saving M. dc Milval; if no refuses, the last
| hope 10 gone"
'speak, uncle, tell as this means. II: de
Milval will he must accept the conditions.
Elevate yourself above worldly oonsidera-
tions, NJ de Milvsl," said Captain Stock. I'm
| ten or twelve days, in less time perhaps, Neu-
port must snrrender. Bot. in the meantime,
who can toll the waste of human life on both
| sides This rffasion of blood docs not advance
the cause which You defend. and it may be in
your power to prevent it. You are requested
urge the surrender of the forts"
"IT exclaimed n. de Milval-"I be the
bearer of such Q messsgef l am French
nobleman, captain. and death ID preferable to
q dishonored life!'
Have pity on me. my friend" supplicated
| the young girl
even were to- accept the mission. could
not succeed in accomplishing it. l have NO
inflaence with the Hanoverian chiefs )"
That is Of no consequence; you have only
| to promise to do what lies in your power
The young man shook his head, refusing the
offer.
''There is no time to be lost" said the cap
tain decide at once, I beg of yoa: ! know
| OF life ia not strong enough to induce you to
embrace means of deliveranoe, forget not
| those who demand your consent as reward
for all the sacrifices they have made for you"
| Bella was about to throw herself at his feet,
but the captain held her back.
| decide, n. de Milval; l can allow You only
| "You wish me to persuade the Hanoverisns
to surrender the fort,-and what will become
of my unfortunate companions in Newport.
The Republic has, without exception, refused
to include the emigrants in the terms of
capitulation. Shall then aid in delivering
them mp to death Captain, yen are too gene
ro9s, your brother and niece have too much
affection for me- to require me to betray my
friendsl No. accept my fate; will not live
dishonored."
"In less than a fortnight" replied the cap
tain, "yeur companions will be in our power,
and it is useless for me to remind you that no
one of them will escape death; and you can
. save them"
, "1f exclaimed the astonished young man.
Yes you, and only you," said Louis Stock
decidedly. at the came time lowering his
voice Your companions in misfortune will
open to them. with that lofty courage innate
in the heart of the French mobiles, they will
arm themselves and fight their way throu Cd
, the opposing force. As for myself, 1 would be
most grateful could I be spared the horrible
8 task of ordering my soldiers to kill q thousand
l unfortunate prisoners on the downs of my ma
, tive land. And you, sir, can you snPpose fol
r one instant that you would bring dishonor or
yonr name by accepting mission which ma!
+ enable you to save the lives of hundreds o
your companions in srmsp
:, ed agitated by contending emotions: his hest
b tation. his silence inspired the hope that b.
would yield to the arguments urged by Loui
Q Stock. Every one ga3Nd upon him with beat
!, ing hearts; at last, Bella, unable to contro
herself, fell at his feet and exclaimed:
u m de Milval, on my knees implore yo'
O to accept this means of escape from death
IT Make me this return for my care, my sc ffeIinp
and my affection. Refuse no longer |; You bu
q prolong useless struggle. What is nov
% transpirpg was decreed in heaven; you mus
| 4 ia W
70 "Well, Bella said the young man. signing
Z" for your sake and for the sake of my FRIENDS
d but not to save my own life, I accept the mis-
sion"
o Thanks thanks, my friend. Hope for th
l. best, An angel watches over and will protec
y "Come, 81. de Milval," said the captain
10 taking his band, follow me. An escort wit
u the white flag awaits yon. In leaa than
quarter Of an hour you will be within the wall
IL of Fort Viervoet."
n I'VE meet again, my friend n e1claime
% Bella. as he disappeared in the corridor.
Some time after ards. the captain returne
( and sAd with undisguised joy:
le He is gone There is no obstacle to his er
is tering Newport. From the downs you coul
follow him With the eye until he reaches th
q ramparts of Fort Viervoet"
d "Come, come, father" exclaimed Bslll
May heaven bless you, uncle God will II
IL ward you for your kiudnessW
H. And she drew her father from the house an
q begged him to collect all his strength to reac
the downs. The way was long, but eagerDet
er and anxiety quickeued their steps, until the
y had assembled lofty sandhill which enable
is them TO view the country for at least leagu
(" in circumference
a Yonder, not far from the fort. between til
t. hills Of sand. behind the soldier who holds til
y white flag, behold him They come to NEE
him! He is in the fortl The French soldier
j. return without him.
' % He is saved + cried Joseph.
,p Not yet" said Bella, whose eyes sparkle
with hope; but God will protect him. Nov
;" father, We will go home and pray for him Z"
70 And. descending the down, they followed til
winding path through the sandy plain in tb
is direction Of the sea.
IN Two days afterward, Bella was kneeling y,
le fore q cruoifix. Her blind father was mendin
n q net. All at once the young girls prayer ws
interrupted by manly voice calling to her i
~ accents of joy.
y Bella, my child, be happy God has hear
80 your prayer"
" q Uncle Louis-do understand You right
II g bring you good news" said the captail
taking her hand. Yesterday evening I'll