The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-17

on earth but myself to take care of him
Come, come, we will speak no more on such a
| foolish subject"
Ko redoo bled his efforts to convince her that
| she would be with him the happiest woman in
Adinkerk, and spoke again of his money; but
Bella, terrified by horrible spectacle, sud.
denly stopped the ass, and uttered a piercing
cry.
What is the matter-what has happened y
said ko, in astonishment.
There thers!' exclaimed Bella, "a man
blood! a corpse"
She pointed with trembling band to a hu-
man body extended upon the ground. The
skull had evidently been crushed, for the hair
was matted with clotted blood and beneath
the head was q pool of blood the garments
were soiled, snd the condition OF the sand
around gave proof that there had been a fear
full death struggle.
Come. Bella" said Ko, "let us 60 nearer
and see who it is"
The young girl followed hesitatingly.
Poor man " she sighed. Throw water in
his face, Ko; perhaps he is still alive"
I've will soon see," muttered Ko, with an
indifferent air and peculiar smile.
He seized the corpse by the feet dragged it
a little further the beach, then let it fall
again.
Tha young girl regarded him with an ex-
preston of horror.
life in him than in stone. How did this fell
low get here upon these downsf He is Young /;
he must be rich, for his clothes are of the finest
cloth, and the ru Hes of his shirt are of lace"
Saying these words, be eagerly thrust his
hand into the pockets of the dead man. Bella
tried to prevent it..
g no, Ko, what you doing p she exclaim-
ed. Would you seek for money on The dead 7 ,
at is always the first thing to be DONE" he
replied.
And would you keep this money!"
"lf no me claimed it. OF what use would
il be to the dead I"
Horrible! stammered Bella. Have you
80 feeling of humanity that you can think of
money in preseuce of such q calamity 7"
My compassion would not restore him to
hfe,' he replied, with a sneer, pursuing his
searches. He must have been assassnated
by robbers, for there is not farthing on his
person."
He thrust his hand within the vest of the
man, and said: "Ab! L feel something. 1t
must be watch, for it is attached to a chain
which will not give from the fastening"
He sprang back in terror.
30 my God he livesp exclaimed Bella.
As ko endeavored to remove the chain from
the neck of the unfortunate man, the arm was
thro wn back convulsively.
The young girl kuelt by the body, which had
again become motionless, and, whilst saying
some kind and gentle words, she wiped the
blood from the eyes and mouth.
Stop, B,lla," said ko; you see plainly there
is no hope. The movement was the last con-
vulsion of nature Go to the village and tell
the people that some one has been assassnated
on the downs. l will stay here and watch
until you return"
Water get me water' said the young girl.
Water ~ repeated Ko. He will die with
ont you washing his face"
B, ,lla looked at him with eyes flashing with
indignation.
"Kp, have you no hearti Get me water,
tell you. Don't laugh, you make me despse
you
There wac something SO imperious in the
tone Of the young girl, and so disdainful i'll her
manner, that he seemed disposed to obey her.
"Ionder, behind that high hillock, there is
a pool Of water" she added Z" go quickly"
Yes; bnt in what shall bring the water I"
In your shoe-your cap. You have already
had time to go and return.'
lie tnrned and directed his steps towards the
spot pointed ont by the young girl, bnt he
walked 80 slowly that she tretnbled from i'm
patience.
During his absence the wounded man drew u
long breath and heAved a deep sigh
Bella, over joVed, raised her eyes in thanks
giving to heaven.
Here am" cried ont Ko from distance,
but see am too late"
Make haste, walk faster; be breathes, he
livasW replied the young girl.
Bat as this news was evidently unwelcome
to the disobliging Jacob, he slackened his pace.
Bella gently laid the head of the wounded man
upon the ground and ran impatiently to meet
him. She snatched the cap from his hands and
returned in haste to the inanimate body, knelt
beside it, and steeping her handkerchief in the
cool water, commen ced bathing the face.
g 1t is trouble thrown away" said Ko. "There
is not drop of blood in his veins. What mat
ters it whether he dies now or in half an hour
hence Pass your hand around his neck, Bella;
he wears a chain, it may be of gold"
But the young girl, completely absorbed in
her work of charity, did not hear these fright
tul words.
10 gazed with surprise upon the face of the
wounded man, whose features oould now be
distinguished
Look" he said, he was quite young. He
must have heen in life handsome man. He
conld not have worked, for his hands are sofG
and white"
"Ah! he lives. animation is restored I" ex-
claimed the young girl.
In reality. the wounded man moved hiH
limbs and drew a long breath then, after be.
coming again insensble for short time, he
opened his eyes, looked around in astonish-
ment. aud muttered few indistinct words.
What does he say, Ko 7" asked the young
girl; listen, for do not understand him."
" He is a Freuchman," said Ko, in grum-
bling tone "If l were in your place, would
leave him where he is, and not trouble myself
about him."
What inhumanity!" !" cried Bella, indig.
nantly. French Flemish, are not all men
brethren in this worldf You are French your
self, KoH'
am not sure of that"
But tell me what this unfortunate man
says. You understand French"
He is muttering something about murder
aro aud h,