The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-01

ave fare we'll and tho sudden sound of his ia
on the table As the glanced back ward at tb
con vulst d frame of her lover, spasn that d.
noted the violent conflict between duty an
aAection passed over her hrauti!ui face apt
~ her heart appeared gradually 10 conquer !
the fight the tears began TO pour in shower
from her eyes. Step by step aud slowly sh
I.Iraced the path ia the table. and, leaning
over the sufferer, took one OF his hands ten
DERBY hers:
=" Are W. not wrefcbed, Gustave Are we no
Wrrtcbedf'
AT the topch Of that gentle hand and th'
sound OF that beloved voice, life seemed once
more 10 STIR IN his VEINS, and, iasIng ms ey ct
lauRnidly 10 hers. he gaZed mourninlIy lntt
rh' os he half said, half sighed:
Lenora Gear Lenora, have you come back
to msf Have You taken pity on my agony
You do not hate me, do yon 7"
| Is q love ike ours exLIugulshed IT q day
| returned Lenora, with q sigh.
| ION, no. mol" cried Gustave aloud; ait ID
| eternal IL il not eternal. Lenora, and omni po-
tent against every i'll as long az the hearts beat
| in our bosomsf'
LenorA bowed her head and cast down her
eyes
| EMMY. THAT our separation causes me lees
grief tnan it does You; and, II the assurance of
my love can assuaRe the paugs Of absence, lot
it strengthen and encourage you Ny loneiy
heart will keep your image sacred in its holiest
shrine; will follow you in spirit wherever
you 20, and will love you till death shall hll
up the gulf that separates us. We shall meet
again above, but never more on earth"
You are mistaken, Lenora," cried Guetsve,
with y feeble expression of joy; lyon are
mstskenl There is still hope: my uncle 10 not
ine1orable, and his DOM psssionate heart must
yield to my despair"
That may be-" replied Lenors, in sad but
resolute tones; that may be- Gasssvs; bat
my fathers honor is in nexible. Leave mo,
Gustave; have already dlsobeyed my father's
orders too long, and iGhted my duty in re-
naming with q man who cannot become my
husband. Go now; for, if we should be sur
prised by some one, my poor, wretched father
would die of shame and anger"
"One moment more, beloved Lenora! Hear
what have TO tell you. My uncle refused me
your hand l wept, besought him, but moth
ing could change his determination. In de-
SPAR l was transported beyond myself; l
rebelled against my benefactor; and, treating
him like an ungratefuI wretch, l said thou-
sand things for which l begged his pardon on
my knees when reason resu med her empire
over my excited soul. My uncle is goodness
itself TO me: he pardoned my ain but he i'm
posed the condition that should instantly un |
dertake journey with him to Italy, which he |
has long designed making. He idly hopes that |
travel may obliterate your image from my
mtnd but think not, I.enora, that can ever |
forget you A sudden Thought flashed through
my fancy, and l accepted his terms with q |
secret joy. For months and months will be !
alone with my uncle; and, watching him ever
with the love and gratitude feel for ell his |
kindness, will gradually wear away his OBJ
ectlons, and, oonquering his heart, return, my
owe, to place tbs bridal wreath upon yonr
brow, and claim yon, before the altar of God,
As the companion of my choice!'
For au instant gentle smile overspread the
nalden's face, and her clear, earnest gszs was
nll of rapture at the vision of future happi.
less; Tut the CLEAN disappeared almost as
bitter sadness:
"Alasi my dear friend, it is cruel to destroy
his last hope of your heart; and yet must do
L. ionr uncle might consent; but my father
ina mt
Your father, Lenoraf Your father would
pardon all and receive me like a Ion g-lost SON."
No. no; believe it not, Gnstave; for his
,onor has been too deeply wounded A a
christian he might pardon it; but as a gentle
nan no will never forget the outrage"
Oh, Lsnora, you are unjust to your father.
I retnrn with my uncle's consent, and say to
i'm, will make your cbild happy; give her
o me for my wife; will surround her path
With all the joys a husband has ever bestowed
N woman ;-,f tell him this think you he
will deny me-"
LenorA cast down her eyes.
You know his Infinite goodness, Gustave'
ne said My happiness - his only thought
N earth he will thank God and bless yon."
les' yes he 'rH consent" continued Gus
ave, with ardor; land all Is not lost. a
blessed ray lightens our future, and let it. re-
iIndie yonr hope, beloved of my heart. Yield
lot TO gIiet, let me 90 forth on this dreary
Quincy but let me bear along with nue. the
assurance that you await my return with trust
n God. Remember me in your prayers; ut.
er my name az you stray through these LONELY
paths which witnessed the dawn of our love
ma where for two months l drained the cup
IT perfect bliss. The Knowledge that am
lot forgotten by you will sustain my heart
ma enable me to endure the pangs of separs.
ion"
Lenora wept in silence Her lovers eloo nepce
,ad extingulshed every spark of her pride aud
ne reoeil,ous heart which lately W az ready
% cast OF ltsrosy letters had no longer a place
or any thing but love and saduess. Gustaye
saw that he had COL auered.
lnanSs, thanks, u Thousand thanks Lepo.
az exclaimed Gustave, in TRANSPORT
Thy tender love strengthens me against
iestiny, Beloved of my heart, rest here under
be guardian eye of God. Thy image will fol-
ow me in my jonrney like protecting angel
u JOY aud grief by day and night, in health
ma sickness thou Lenora, wilt ever be pres-
'nt TO me! This cruel separation wounds nv
leart beyond expression but duty commands
snd must obey. Farewell, farewell!"
lie wruug her hands couvulsively. and was
zone. '' 1O ""0
"Gustave" sob6ed the poor girl. "a abe
ank on the chair and allowed the pent.nn
passion of her soul to burst forth in tears.
CHAPTER VII.
Lenora secretly cherished in her heart the
rope OF happy future; but she did NOT b.s;