The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-12-30


parture. The carrisge was drawn mp before
the door, and Adhemar awaiting her in the
| yestibule. Blanche quietly got in Scarcely
were they seated when Adhemar exclaimed
well. Blanche. tell me now what you think
OF those letters. Are they not complete jas
LITIGATION of my owpf"
Monsieur" said She with much conposure
and dignity, they are not my letters-I never
wrote them."
You never wrote them, Blanche r. replied
he, very much astonished.
- see you do not believe me-" said che
burytng her face in her hands and beginning
to weep.
You have never given me the opportunity
of being undeceived, ny dear. Bat did yop
really say you peyer wrote those letters -
No, never. Could you think that I woa!d
dencsf"
Adbemar was silent an instant, and then
said vehemently % Blanche, am going to tell
you all. The coldness of your letters gave me
other letter that fell into my hands excited
feelings which hope you may never, never
experience. It was the oause which preoipi-
tated my return. I always carry it about me,
because, not wishing 10 burn if, 1 am fearful
OF it's being read by some one who might oircu-
late the contents. You remember I once told
you would never require an explanation. l
had reference to this very thing, and .hought
perhaps that you might have thence suspected
my knowledge of it,"
Handing her letter which he took from his
objects, and seemed to be very much interested
in what WAS passing on the road. Blanche
trem bled on opening this paper, apparently
directed in her own hand, but underneath
which was written in that of Adhernar "Ad-
dressed to me by mistake, and to be RENTED,
sealed, to Nine. de Belcastel after my death"
She commenced to read il, and, though shocked
as every line. she eoursgeously accomplished
the paiai.l task.
"You have petsus1ed me, my friend, )" SO ran
this letter, THAT there is no harm in CORE
spending with You (; sinoe, IS yon may say IL
not deny myself this consolation. have neec
of something to sustain me il supporting the
bond which unites me forever to "a person Cor
whom 1 have no affection. Ho1ever. l must
confess that he is very kind, for which desire
to be grateful at least Ysusask e write 10 him
often. Yes, aud you wGuid pity me If you saw
me in the execution OF this task. 1 censure
myself for not loving bin more. His conduct
towards me certainly merits some rerprn, and il
wounds me to hear him spoken of disrespect-
fully. Bat let US drop this painful subject"
The remainder of the letter coucbed in
with these words: AT present you would
hardly recognize your joyful, lignt-hesrted
espiegle, as you used 30 cali me.
BLANCHE DE BELcAsrEL"
Blanche was overwhelmed wi h shane and
indignation. She could neither spesk nor
"Cruel odious st. Clairl Generous Adbs-
mar how could yen bear me in your sightI"
6AOJ DAb ASA SoDS1p ASa1SSo ~ az VIZ
ulate Q word.
"My dear B!saohe," said Adbemar, 'if
showed you this letter it WAS TO explain my
conduct / FASTENED my return home, be
cause the person to whom 1 believed you
wrote thus was q treaoherous friend, aud be-
cause knew You had too little knowledge of
the world to perceive all the dangers OF such
. correspondence. desired your confidence
that I might the better preserve you from this
hidden snare"
land you really believed that wrote such
- b0E
me capable ofitf After the VOWS had spoken
II would have loved you as q brother,
the struggles this thing has cost me, the cruel
battles have bad with myself Oh! what a
weight you have taken from my heart and con
science! o dearest of wives could my hap.
piness be greater than it is at this moment I"
-" Monsieur, do not give me your confidence
and affection until have convinced You that
never wrote those odious letters.'
81 am already convinced. It is true that
whilst / had my fears about tn m, and espe-
cially the last, your character appeared to me
an inexplicable enigma; but to-day it shiuea
| forth with redoubl SEilliancy, clothed in the
beauty of candor and strength. now see that
Was rot mistaken, Blanche, when / thought
had read Alright the feelings which agitated
yo9r heart, even the meaning Of that smile
AID vivid blush"
ooh! 1 beg you not to read them 80 AZ
actly.n replied she, blushing still more deeply.
Why rotf said Adhemar, emiling. do
not tell me that have miAinterpretsd your
couuterGnce Blanche"
az cannot say; yoa might have been-de-
ce:ved"
"Oh! no, Blanche; am not deceived.
You are too inEenuouB Your face is too sure
an index of what is passing within ever to
nislesd me. Even that odious letter itself
has not been able to vanquish the influence Of
your frankness. l am now convinced that
there is scarcely . thought, q feeling, q desire
| of our hearts bat what is in unison"
al must try and fad the key to this mys-
| terry. have strong suspicious as to the author
of these letters, but"