The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-01

IL was evident that the young girl was not
mistaken in her superstition the night before,
for his ewes were swollen from weeping. Bot
his tears no longer flowed, and there was upon
his couDtepanoe an expression OF calm resigne-
ton. There WAS even o sweet smile upon his
lips as he thanked the young girl ZOE ner KIND
and sympathy.
Bella seated herself by his side, made happy
by this apparent tranquility, and she iavished
upon him words Of encouragement and oonso-
istion. But she did not long erjoy the comfort
thus afforded her.
The replies made by the yonng gentleman to
her remarks were full of gratitude but tbe!e
the smile which played upon his lips, which
betrayed such depth of hopeless sorrow that
Bella trembed a. size saw it.
M. de Milval with painful calmness, begged
her to pardon him if his broken heart seemed
insensible to her generous efforts. Fate had
deprived him of all he held dear, and there
was nothing left for him to hope for on earth
II he looked to the past, the blood whloh hao
been shed on the scaffold met him If he look
ed to the future, he saw the riumph of the
wretches who had put to death those whom he
cherished more than life. He had no one to
love, and he had nothing left him bot to nur
tore his despair.
Il was evident that the young man preferred
being alone with his own sad thoughts. Bal
Bella and her father felt his SORROWS 30 keenl
that they ceased not their endeavors to ottel
him some consolation. Nothing, however, made
an impression upon him; it seemed as though
grief had petrifed him.
had seated herself by the table, and while ap
pearing to be engaged in sewing, she glanced
frequently at the young man, whose head wal
bowed upon his chest.
Suddenly M. de Milval arose an expressed
desire to walk upon tho beach. The weather
WAS warmer than ON the preceding day, ano
they did not fear the effect Of exposure to him
Bella prepared to accompany him, but no beg
ged to DO permitted to 20 alone.
Bella was about to follow him at distance
bus her father prevented her, giving her te
understand that his despair was natural, ano
that time alone could heal such a wound and
mitigate his grief. He concluded it was better
to respect for SOME days N. de Milvals desire
of solitude, for the very intensity Of his feel
ings would wear itself out, and shortly be
would listen to words Of consolation.
She obeyed that one day. But the next
morning one might have supposed that Bella
saw in the invalids despair an enemy who had
defied her to mortal combat Her will and
strength seemed to increase in proportion I'd
n. de Milval's grief resisted her. Her mind,
under the influence Of her ardent desires, ap.
peared to receive an extraordinary develop
ment; she became eloquent, fertile In devices
delicate in management.
she terminated as quickly rs possible hel
daily work, and Immediately joined M. de Mil
val. Wherever he went she followed, and
with all his determination to shut his heart
against every consolation, she fou nd means tc
rouse some little hope.
1T ia not surprising that 80 long strug git
should be productive of good
By degrees NJ. de Milvsl commenced TO lister
to her words with unexpressed pleasure, apt
then to be attracted to her by secret molina
ton. Away from her, his heart bent under III
weight of woe but as soon as her gentle voio
fell upon his ear, and her soft eye mot his, hi
courage and hope revived, and he experienced
| almost return of happiness.
Four weeks had thus passed. The wound Il
| M de Mllvaps head was healed his broke
| arm still rested in sling, but the surgeo
| assured him that he would recover the full US
| Of it in about fortnight.
| inh q III
| the young mans manner towards Bella. Sh
| had noticed for several days that he was Yer
| silent, aud sne mad surprised him some Il u.
looking at her with expression of dee
| mel ln choly.
Distur bed by the temperance of the enem
which she had so perseverin8ly combatteo, u
young girl redou bled her efforts to excite b
confidence and hope in the future but nelth'
her conversation nor her presence appeare
!, any longer to mffo.d him pleasure. Did at
| remain at home he said he was indisposed, an
passed entire IDgs gazing from the wiudo
or hIs apartment upon the distant sea; Wi
: she absent, he wandered through the down
90 that it WAS impOssl BILE to find him when b
seated himself, at noon in the evening,
, the table, he cast down his eyes as If fe4rft
of meeting hers.
, When alone he talked to himself He wa
evidently the prey OF some secret sorroV
though he refused to acknowledge it. With a
this, his words were kind, and he begged pa
don so humby for his moroseness mat Boil
saw in this state of things only an add
tional reason for pity and a motive for great
eXertiOn on her part.
3 But these very Efforts seemed to aft1lct tb
young gentleman; for every time that til
young girl reiterated, i'll her simplicity, to
assurances of her sympathy and friendship, b
gave way more than ever to his sombre despA