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

rather ont off my right hand"
The young girl had in the meantime nearly
with surprise that her strength was equal to
this weight. He then took the young man by
the legs and assisted in placing him upon the
, ass
| .Ge gently and very slowly" said Bella.
The wounded man thus placed showed An
extreme weakness, for his head fell upon his
chest; bat his eyes were wide open although
they were CLASSY and devoid of expression.
He was evidently unconscious of where he was
or what was being done for him. His lips
rneved with rapidly, bnt he spoke too indis-
| tinctly to be entirely understood.
| ko caught a few words W hich excited his at
tention, and he listened eagerly, hoping to dis
| cover the cause of the condition in VIII oh they
| found him; but his efforts were useless. The
young man in delirum spoke of a soaffeld and
of his sister. He was plainly suffering from
the influence of extreme terror, and he imagined
himself flying before enemies but his speech
was interrupted and his words uncon-
| nected that it impossible to comprehend d
| their meaning. When for q moment he would
| stop speaking, b ,lls whispered in the softest
| tones few kind words, encouraging him to
| hope for restoration to health aud q reunion
| with his father and sister.
Frequently had Ko. the vagrant of the beach,
| endeavored TO resume the thread of the con-
versation, which had been broken by this
| expected incident Persuaded that he knew
| the secret of winning the young girl, he spoke
| to her of his money, of the fine clothes and
pleasures she might expect. But Bella, who
was anxiously watching the wounded man,
testified her dissatisfaction that Ko should Jest
at such a time, and she made him no answer.
Tne advanced without stumbling, and Ko
ct Iast exhibited a better will, and supported
the wounded man comfortably. Thus they
arrived without accident before the cabin of
old Stock.
"Help me now, Ko, to dismount him gently"
said the yonpg girl Let do our best TO
spare him unnecessary .utfering."
Father Stockw called OUT the vagrant,
"don't be alarmed We bring you dying
man."
my father is not at home," said the young
girl with Kos aid she moved the wounded
man. e" will go to my aunt's for him as soon
as we have laid this poor young man upon q
bed"
..What folly" ssid Ko. "Place this bleeding
body npon a bed! Put him there upon the
ground near the hearth at lesst you need not
uselessly spoil your sheets"
~ can wash Them"
"Woud you place him your own bed,
BellaY
81 would be sorry to disturb my fathers re-
pose"
And where will you sleep you1seff"
al can find Place above. Uncle Louis's old
bedstesd is still there. Now, gently, lay his
head upon the pillows. Not in that manner
the wounded side up. Poor man! he smiles to
express his gratitude"
''Bah he iargb like an idiot" said Ko. at
is the last effort of expiring nature. l am ac-
customed to such cases. lie has not more than
an hour to live"
"Now, 1 will hasten to Aunt Clara's to call
my father interrupted the young girl. " For
this poor young man. If he asks for water,
there is some in the pitcher"
She was about to leave the house, but turning
she saw Ko bending over the body of the young
man. She uttered stiled cry and returned to
her room.
"What brings you back!' exclaimed Ko,
starting IN surprise
IL thought-I thought that it was better for
you 10 go for father. The condition of this
unfortunate young man so fills me with pity
that capnot bring myself to leave him"
One might suppose, B ella, that you feared
would do him harm"
No; but have not compassionate
hearts. and ycu DO not know how to attend the
sick. Go, Ko, and sho w me in this manner your
friendship. will be most grateful to you, and
at some future day may have it in my power
to prove it to YOU
How could 1 refuse you anything!" ex-
claimed Ko, smiling and rubbing his hands. ~
hope, Bella, that you will recall this promise
in suitable time. 1 will quickly to do
yOnr bidding"
The young girl seated herself by the side of
the bed and contemplated the face of the
wounded man, whose eyes were fixed on va
canoy. and whose lips. always in motion,
stamm mered, with feverish rapidity, q few in
artculate sounds. She took his hand, and
spoke some words of consolation. But in his
delirium he was totally unconscious Of the pre-
sence of his gentle nurse. She raised the head
of the young man, put a cup of cool water to
his lips and poured it's contents slowing into his
mouth. He must have been burning with
thirst, for he drank eagerly the refreshing
beverage.
"That is enough now," said Bella. "Rest
awhile. Later l will give you more. Have
courage; my father will soon be here and will
send for - physician. Together we will pray
the good G ID to restore you. Ah! how earnestly
you look! What do you wish to say 7"
Bella had let the head of the wounded man
fall upon the pillows. Perhaps the sensation
of relief or the effect of the cold water had mo-
mentarily restored him to consciousness, for he
looked at the young girl with an eye full of in
telligence and smile of gratitude. She was
standing near the bed, excited and trembling
She could not bear the fxedness of his gaze,
and she bowed her head, whilst in her heart
she offered to God prayer of fervent thanks
giving. But her hopes were vain the con-
sciousness was but momentAry the eye became
CLASSY, and the same confused sounds escaped
his lps.
Tears rolled down the cheeks of the young
girl; she joined her hands, and her heart
prayed. Soon abe heard the sound of her Aunt
ClaraS voice, and she out to meet her
father Neither noticing the questions Of her
aunt, nor the careless words OF Ko she took
the old mans hand, led him into the cabin, and
said:
Come quickly, father 10 has told YOU
I,or- Co f,r