The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-11
'nIsruing Star and Catholic Messenger.
MWW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER II. 1877.

>-~l>~ >~~>~~~~~>----
my path, drawing in long breaths OF the fresh
air and feel tingiug in my veins and u
alow at nv heart, If the blood were now
ing newly there, until / came to the littIe
circular grove Of pioes ana hem.ooks looks tnst s rea
thing stirred as | pierced my way through
the branches, and heard low growl.
girl was half'sitting. halt.iying. In the
sunshine beside tho little lake, throwing peo-
bles into the water, aud Watching the ripPies
that spread and widened to the other shore
A great black Newfoundland dog wad stand
ing between me and her, showing foImina-
BILE row of strong white teeth, ana looking me
threatenipgly in the face.
She started. and looked sharply round, and
sAw me standing in the little grove with the
dog bet twesn us. she burst out laughing.
I felt that was cutting rather u ridiculous
figure, bat pnt q bold face upon The matter
And asked cooly,
"Are you Alice KentT
"People call me So"
"Then 1 suppose may call You cousin, for
am Frank Athertop."
WCousin Frank We have been expecting
yoa this week. When did you oomeV
"Just now"
Shs made room for me beside her. We talk
Cd long about our mutual friends. and the old
homostead of the Athertops, which she had
seen, though 1 had not. She told me sbont
sha house, and our freDds who were then
living there, and sat listening, looking now
and then at her, rs she sat with the sunshine
falling round her, and the great dog lying at
her feet. wondered, almost AS my amt had
done, il this was indeed the Alice Kent OF
whom had heard mnch. She was dress
ed plainly, very plainly, in q Kind of gray
material that fell around her in light sol,
folds. A knot of plan blue ribbon fastened
her linen collar, and Gypsy hat. lying he'
side her, trimmed with the same color.
Her watch chain, like thread of gold, and a
diamond ring, were the only ornaments she
wore. Yet had never seen dress liked &C
well. She tall (too tall, l should have
said, bad che been any one else; for. wheu We
waye standing, her head was almost on
level with mine) and slender, and qnick and
agile in all her movements. Her brown hair
was soft and pretty, bat she wore it oarelessiy
pushed away from her forehead; not arranged
With that nicsty should have peoted IN q
city BELLE Her features we're irregular, foil OF
life and spirit. but decidedly plain her com
plexion fair, her mouth rather large, frank
and smiling: her eyebrows arcbed, as If they
were asking question:; and her eyes large,
and of soft dark gray, very pleasant TO looR
70 my cost. Those eyes were the only beauty
she possessed, aud she unoonsciousiy made the
1eoet Of them. When they laughed, 1t seemed
sheir normal state-the bright-beaming glance
they gave; but, when they darkened sudden.
~ and grew softer and deeper, and looked
mp into the face of any unfortunate wight
heaven help himi
Though had known her only i've minutes,
felt this, when l ohanced to look up and
meet o ourioua glance she had fKed on me.
She had csased to talk. and was sitting, with
her lips half apart aud 9 lovely color mant-
ling on her oheek. studying my face iutently,
kind of shock in the gaze. saw the color
deepen and go mp to her forehead, and .
shiver ran over me from head to foot. 1t
was dangerous for me to watch that blush, but
l did; and longed to know it's cause, and
wondered what thought had brought it.
Fred, bring me my hat" she said to her
20 home to supper. 1 supposo. Are you hungry,
cousin Frank ~
Yes-no," answered. with my thoughts
still running on that blush.
.nAtQrodly.
hat from the Newfoundland, who had brought
it in his mouth.
said. as We rose from our seat beneath the tree.
"Fond of himf" She stopped down over
him with sudden impeCuous movement, took
his head between her two hands and kissed
tho beAuty-spot on his forehead. Fond of
him, cousin Franki Why, the dog is my
idol He is the only thing on earth who I 10 or
has been true to me, and the only thing-"She
stopped short and colOred.
"That you have been tue to-" said, ii ioish-
ing the sentence for her.
So people sag" she answered. with q
laugh. But look at him, look at those
beautiful eyes, and tell me If any one could
help loving him. My poor old Fred! So
honest in this weary world"
She sighed. aud pAtted his head again, and
he stood waggiug his tail and looking up into
her faoe, with eyes that were AS she had said.
beautiful, aud, what WAS far better, brimfnl of
love aud honesty.
al doubt if you will keep pace with u.s." she
said, after we bad walked few steps; "and
Fred is longing for u race always give him
one through the woods: Would you mind y
.'Oh dear noG
The next III mJment she was off like the W ind,
and the dog tearing after her, barking till the
woods rang again. l saw her that night no
more.
Iwas, as have already said, grave steady
going lawyer, veTRinG towards respectable
middle age, with one or two gray hairs show
ing among my black looks. l had had my
dreams and fanoies, anu my hot, eager, gener.
Que yonth, like most other men and they had
passed away. But one thing had not known.
- one thing l had miesed (saye in my Dreams }
and that was n womans love.
IL I ever gave my visions body and q
name, they were totally unlike all the realities
had ever seen. Tho wife of my freside rev.
OEies was slight, delicate. gentle creature,
with pure pale face, sweet lps the blueet
and cleAreSt of oyes the sOftest and inest of
golden hair, and II voice low and sweet, like
, the murmuring of an Aolian harp. Aud che
sat by my chair in silence; loving me slwayS,
bat loving me- silently, and her name was
Mary. / dare say, if had met the original OF
this placid piotnre in life. l should have