The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-03-12


quickly obeyed, and flung the door wide open.
The Unknown threw o glance around the
chamber. and by the light of the lantern,
which stood on the table, saw Lucy on the
"Why did you place her therep ~ said he,
with o frowning brow. ::
"She placed herself there" replied she,
timidly. II have done all could to encourage
her; but she will not listen to me-"
Rise, )" said he to Lucy, who, at the noise OF
his step, and ut the sound of bis voice, bad been
seized with new terror. She buried her race In
her hands, and remained silent and trembling
before him.
"Rise; I will not harm you; can befriend
you," said the signor. "Risep repeated he, in
. voios of thunder, irritsted Mt having spoken
Ia vain.
As if alarm had restored her exhausted
strength. the unfortunate girl fell on her knees,
clasped her bands on her breast. as If before
earth, exclaimed, "Here am, murder me if
you will"
az have already told you that will not
harm you," replied the Unknown, in q more
gentle tone, gazing at her agonized and altered
features.
Courage, courage" said the old woman.
" He tells you himself that he will not harm
you"
"And why" resumed Lucy, in a voice in
which indignation aud despair were mingled
with alarm and dsmav.-"why make me suffer
the torments of hellf What have 1 done to
"Perhaps they have not treated you kindly ="
Speakw
"oh, kindly treated They have brought me
hither by treaehery and force. Why, why did
l am nothing bnt poor creature. What have
1 done to yon In the name of God"
"God God! always God p said the Un-
themselves, always mako use of the name of
God. "a if they knew something concerning
him! What! do You mean by this word to
make me" and he left the sentence un-
finished
"Oh, signor, what oonld / mean, poor girl
like me, except that you should have pity on
met God pardons so many deeds for one act of
mercy! Let me go; for pity, for charity, let me
go. Do not make poor creature suffer thusl !
Oh, you, who have it in your power, tell them
to let me 60. They brought me hither by force.
Pot me again in the carriage with this wopan,
Virgin Ny mother! my mother Perhsps she
is not far from here-1 thought saw my
mountains! Why do you make me- suffer
Garry me to church; will pray for you all
word Oh, see that you are touched! Say
but the word, cay it. God pardons 30 many
deeds for one act of mercy"
"Oh, why is she not the dau ghter of one of
the towards who outlawed met" thought the
Unknown. ~ should then enjoy her suffer
ings; but now"
"Do not stifie so good an inspiration" pur
sued Lncy, on seeing hesitation in the coupte-
nance of her prosecutor. "It you do not grant
me mercy, the Lord will; he will send death
to relieve me, and all will be over. But you
| one day, perhaps, you also-but no, mol will
| would it cost you to say one word If ever you
| experience these torments-"
well, we'll, take courage" said the I'm
known, with g9ntleneSs that astonished the
old woman. Have 1 done you any harm
Have I menaced youf"
"Oh, no. 1 see that you have a good heart
and that you pity a poor creature. If you
! choose, you could alarm me more than apy o.
them, you could make me die with fear: and
| on the contrary, you have-you have given rne
some consolation. God reward you! Accom-
plish the work you have begun save me, save
me-"
'!To. morrow morning"
| "Oh, save me now, now"
10 morrow morning will see you again,
tell you Be of good courage. Rest yourself
You must need food; it shall be brought tt
you"
mo, no, 1 shall die if any one comes into
this room, shall die. Take away, G oG
win reward yoH."
"a servant will bring you something to eat, ,
said the Unknown; and you," continued he
tuning to the old woman, persuade her tc
eat, and to repose on the bed. II abe consent Il
to have you sleep with her, we'll if not, you
can sleep very well on the floor. Be kind tt
her, say; and take care that she makes NJ
complaint of you"
He hastily Quilted the room, before Lucy
could renew her entrestiesa
| 20. miserable that l am! Shut, shpE rh,
door" said Lncy, returning to seat he--ef IL
ner corner. Out ml3eraOlc that AMI WhI
shall implore now : Where amTf Toll me
tell me, for charity, who is this siguorf Who
has been talking to met who is hei'
| Who is hef Do you wish me TO tell you you
must wait awhile first. You are.prOud, b-cau sc
he protects you provided you are Satisfied, NO
matter what becomes of me. Ask him bis
name. II l should tell you, he would moi
speak to me SO gently IA he did to You. l an
an old woman, am an old wuman" continued
she, grumhiImX; but hearing the sohs of Lucy
SHE rtn"ub-ied the threat of heI master; and
/ addreeHt"H her IL a less bitter tone "Welll
nave strd no harm. BE cheerful. Do not ask
tne what oaruot tell you, but have courage
How satisfied most people would be, should he
speak T." them as he has spoken to you! b.
chterfu'! rectly you shall have something
T. eat; aud from whut he said, / know it will
be sC.netGing good. Aud then you must liz
down, aud yon wrll leave little room for me ;
"Gdsd sue, with accent of suppressed
ranCor.
81 cannot eat; cannot sleep. Leave me
approach me not. You will not go awayR'
No, no" said the old woman, seating her
self on large arm chair, and regarding hel
with mingled expression of alarm and rage
She looked at the bed, aud did u rot very rel
relish the idea of being banished from it for til,
night asit Was very cold but she hoped ut le as
for good supper. Lucy felt neither cold MOI