The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-11

cnse TO taIk to me, and cAme knd leaned over
my chair.
"Apd why 2 when love some one"
Tits was q bad beginning of the lesson
wanted to- teach her, and / turned over my
papers in silence.
DO annoy you, Francisf'
Her light hand was playing with my hair,
and her breath was warm on my obeek. l felt
my wisdom vanishing, and tried TO make mp
for its loss by au decreased ooldusss of manner.
"One kiss, she said, just one, and I'll go
awsv.
"What nousense, Alice. What time have
to think of kisses now ~
She stood up and looked me in the face.
do tease you, FrancisT
Very much"
She gave a little sigh. SO faint that could
scarcely hear it, aud left the room. had
scared her gayety away for that morning
This was the fest clond in our sky.
lt seems strange, now, when l look oacR
upon 1t after the lapse OF years, how Perservef
in.ly labored to destroy the foundation OF
peace and happiness which might have
| built my life. The remaining six months OF
| that year were months OF misery to me, and,
and lost her gayety. had succeeded only
too we'll in my plan, and sha had learned to
doubt my affection for her. felt this by the
look in her ey 90 now and then, and by the way
in which she seemed to cling to her dog, as II
his fidelity aud love were now her only hope
But 1 WAS too proud to own myself in the
wrong, and the breach widened day by day.
In the midst of all this estrsngement the dog
sickened. There was @ week of misgiviUg on
Alioe's part, W hen she sat behind him with her
books or writing all the time-tbere vas day
when both books and manuscript were put
away and she bending over him, with
her tears failing fdss, she tried TO hash-his
moans, and looked into HIS fast glazing eyes
and there was an hour OF stiffness when she
lay on the low couch, with her arm around
his neck, neither speaking nor stirring. And
when the poor creatures -tFeath-was
drawn, she benz over him with passionate
burst of grief, kissed the white spot upoa his
forehead. and closed the soft. dark eyes, that
even in death were turned towards her with
loving look.
Sac did not come to me for sympathy. She
watched alone, while the gardener dug
grave aud buried him beneath the study win
COW. She never mentioned him TO me, and
never paid her daily visit TO his grave till
was busy with my papers for the evening. So
the year, which had begun in love and happi-
ness came to its close.
sat ia the stady alone, one morning in the
February following, looking over some deeds
that had been long neglected, when heard
Alice singing in the balcony outside the win
dow. II was the first time had heard her
sing since Freds death, and laid down my
pen to listen. Bnt bearing her oomi ng through
the hall took 1t up again. and affected to be
very busy.
It was q warm, bright, beautiful day. aud
she seemed to bring burst of sunlight and
happiness with her as she opened the door.
like the Alice of the old farm house, as she
came on tiptoe and bent over my chair.
well, what is it 2" asked, looking up.
She laid pretty little bouqse5 OF violets,
tied with blue ribbons, before me.
II have been to the conserv atory, and have
brought you the first flowers of the season,
Francis: Aud someshing else' which, perhaps,
She bent over me as she spoke, and leaning
her head lightly upon my shoulder, kissed me
twice. She had bsen ohary Of her caresses
f0r N;rno ,rA yhAK, aha @E ha-
own accord, 1 wheeled aronnd in my chair, and
looked up at her
You seem very happy to-day, Alice"
Il; Is someeody' SEs5d1y" she said .kd look
very many happy returns, s,"-her voice falter.
ed little-"aud il there hos been any wrong
feeling, Francis, for the last six mooths we
will bury It to-day now and forever"
She olung to me in silence and hid her face
upon my breast. l was meved, in spite of my
self, aud kissed the brown hair that as
quite willing TO forget everything Gas if had
nythinE TO forget) At which she looked up
with bright smile, and daresay thought me
very nsgnanimons
"And we will make q new beginning from
| this day, Francis"
q If you will, my child"
She caressed me again, after queer little
| fashion of her own, which always made ms
smile and which consisted of a series OF
| kisses bestowed systematically on ditfereut
| parts of my face-tOur, believe, being alot.
| ted to my forChead, Two TO each cheek, two tC
the chin, four my lips, and four to my eyes
I She went through this ceremony with n pains
| taking care, ana hen looked me in the face
| Ali her love aud tenderness seemed to come up
! before Tie in That m0mcnt, and eff ICe the pas
and iVa unbappIuess. held her closely to my
| heart, aud Der arms were around my neck.
Will any oro- believe it 7 Ny wife had
scarcely left me ive moments before the fancy
came TO that had shown too plainly tht
mower she had over me FaT months ! had
been schooling myself into GOODNESS and iudif-
| ference, and at her very first warm kiss oI
smile l was completely routed. SIZE had
vexed, and thwarted and annoyed me much
during those months; IL would not do to par
don her 80 fully and entirely before she had
even asked my forgiveness. l took sudder
resoluti and, W ben she came back into the
room, was buried in my papers once more
Poor child! She had had one half hours sun
shine at least.
"One moment" che said, taking the pen on
of my hand. and holding something up ove
my head. ~ have birthday gift for you. Dc
you want ~
"If you give it to me, certainly"
| "Then ASK me for it,"
| said nothing, bnt took mp my pen again
Her countenence fell little.
| Would you like is ~ she said timidly.
~ll i