The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-05
THE MoRNre SIZE MEssENGER APRIL 1877

De Vnerbeck's heart. From q distant point
on the road where the domain of Grinselhoi
| was masked by thickets, the wspderer turned
bis eyes once more in the direction of the old
chateau Big tears sto cd in his eyes and slowi ~
rolled down his hollow cheeks as he stood
there silent and motioness, with ciasped
hands, gazing into vacancy. Bot night as
| rapidly falling around the wayfarers and
! recalling him TO consciousness WIN Kiss,
Lenora gently drew her father from the spot
| TIL they disappeared in the windings of the
| wood.
| CHAPTER TX.
Monsieur Do vIierbeck had not been gone q
| week, when o letter addressed to him from
Italy reached the village post thice. fhe
| carrier inquired of Farmer John whore the old
| proprietor of GEinselhof bad fixed bis resi-
| dence but neither from him, the notary. nor
any else in che neIghborhood, could he
| discover tie bsukyuptis retreat. The same
| fate avn ited three or four other letters which
| follow ed she first from Italy; and, indeed, no.
| body bothered himself any more about the
| wanderers except the peasant WHO every
| market day pestered the country folks from
every quarter with questions about his old
| mssuer. But no one had seen or heard OF him.
Four moaths passed slowly by, when one
mol ming q hand o ne post chalse stopped at tne
door of our old acquaintance the notary aud
dropped d Young gentleman IN travelling cos
tune.
"Where's yosr master" said he inpatient
ly to TIL, servant, who excused tho notary IN
der the plea of his present engagement with
other visitors, but invited the stranger TO
await his leisure In the parlor.
The youth was evidently disconnected by
the delay; tor he paced The apar.m with
rapid strides and seemed altogether absorbed
by some anxiety or disappointment which
msde him extremely restless. The Dotsry's
visitors seemed to be either very tedious
clients or engaged in very important business;
for more than half an hour elapsed before that
fuDctiODary made his appearance. He came
into the room ceremoplously, prepared TO
IN hiA WOrGA aud receDliOn his VlSl-
tors rank but no sooner did he perceive who
is was tina his calculating features relaxed in
to a professional smile, and he advanced
rapidly toward Gustave with outstretched
hands.
How are you, how are you, my dear sir :"
said he. Il have been expecting you for sew
eral days, aud am really happy to see yon at
last. am greatly Aattered by the confidence
you are disposed to place IN me, and am ready,
whenever you please, to devote myself to your
affairs. By-tEe-way, l suppose there is willf"
A shadow passed over Gustaves brow and
his face became serious as no took portfolio
from his over coat and drew forth a package of
papers.
IL am panied, sir, at your loss" said the no.
tary. Your excellent unc!e was my frieud,
and deplore his death more than that of any
one else. 1t pleased God that hs should die
far away from home. But such, alas ! 10 mana
fate. We must console ourselves by the re-
lection shat We are all mortal Your unole
was very fond of you, and suppose You have
not been forgotten in his last momeutsW
lyon may see for yourself" said Gustave, as
he placed the package on the table.
the notary ran his eyes over the paper, and,
as he perused them, his face exhi blted 10y turns
surprise and satisfaction.
Permit me-" said he, ito congratulate you,
Monsieur Gustave; these documents are all in
| order and unassailable. Heir of al his for
tune! De you know, sir, tnat you are more
than a zai!lioRare ~
I'VE viii speak of that another time" said
| Gustave, interrupting him rather sharply. 80
called on You to-day to ask q favor"
"You have but to name {. sirn
"You were the notary of Monsieur De Vlier-
beck :"
al heard from my uncle that Monsieur De
Vlierbeek had become very poor. l have rea-
sons for desiring that his misfortunes may not
be prolonged"
intend to do him aa act of kindness and, in
truth, it could not be bestowed a worthier
| 80 tferinss he Wss Victlm of generosity and
| honor He may have carried these virtues to
| imprudepoe and even to madness; but he de-
| served a better fate.'
| to let nI know, with the least amount of de-
tails possib BILE, " hat can 10 to assist DE Vlier
beck without wonnding his pride. l know The
| condition of his affairs; for HIy uncle told ue
all ab onL them. Among other debts there was
| a bond for four Thousand francs, W hiCh belong.
| TO the heirs OF Hoogebaen l want that bona
iWA gdiatety, even if have to pay four times AZ
mucu AS IT. Is worth
The notary stared at Gustave without reply
ing,
| ''Yon seem Gisconcertrh by my demand,
said Gusfave, somewhat a:azlously.
Not exactly returBrd fne notary " but
DO not altogether understand your emotion
although fear the news must impart will
affect Sou painfully. If my anticipatIous ART
correo5 have cause to be sorry for you, Sir !!
Explain yourself" cried GastaVe alarmed
q" explain yourself, sir! Has death been at
GrinselL Of I Is my last hope destroyedf'
mo, no." replied the notary, quickly
" don'G trenble 50; they both live but the,
have been stricken by great MISFORTUNE
well I well7' exclaimed Gustave, with
questioning eageTross, rising from his chair.
30 calm, be cHm, eir," said the notary,
soothingly ''slt doS ard listen; il is rot so
terrible as you may perhaps think, since for
tune enables you to soften their misery"
"Oh, God be fhanked!' cred Gustav Bat
let me beg you to hasten Your disclosures, LOT
your siowness RACKS ne"
Know, them" continued the notary, THAT
during your absence the bond in question fell
due. For several months De Vlier beck made
unavaliing Efforts to find money to honor it at
maturity; but all his property was mortgaged,
and no one would assist him. In order 10
escape the modification of a forced sale, De
VIierbeck offered every thing at public auction,
even down to his furniture aud clot hest The