The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-01-21
easrnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
INV ORLEANS SUNDAY. JANUARY 81. 1877


child sitting at a convenient corner for spying
out what may be &c ing on at the miser's house
did he pass through the village, there he met
her coming or going, be the wea .s what IL il
geS . far-of peep at Cecilia as she passed, he
saw the widow advance resolutely into the
road to beg an aims of Cecilia, regardless OF
the old man's angry gestures of repulse.
Was IL o feeling Of gratitude toward Bart
and Cecilia that alone instigated the poor
widow to these extraordinary exsrtions or was
not also the hatred which she bore to the IN
principled Tbys q main ingredient in the cause
Of her activityf
At all events, whenever and wherever she
might chance to come across the nemy of Bart
and persecutor of Cecilia, 80 percingly and
mysteriously did her eyes meet his so boldly
Incorporating was their expression OF
menace at defiance, that by degrees an ire
Bistible dread of her began to grow upon Thys
who soon become fully persuaded that the beg
gar-woman whom he had 30 eften harshly re-
pulsed had some insight into his oesiRns upon
that he might have to fear from her he knew
not bat that was precisely the circumstance
that irritated his uneasiDess. 1t was not,
moreover, unknown to him tn at the widow, as
representing her husband, had q right to look
1or some small part in the Inheritance indeed
this knowledge it was which had excited him
TO an especial hardness toward her.
sTho anxiety which this feeling occasioued
him, and which was aggravated by Uncle JAMS
evident decline, made him more and more i'm
patient tc carry his designs into effect, and
her consent. no matter by what means, to q
speedy marriage. One day he would be all
kindness and complaisance, seeking to wi her
over by the fairest promises; then again he
endeavoring, not only by threats, but some
times even by positive ill-ussge, to bully her
into compliance and even to work upon her by
the fear that her life would not be safe should
abe persist in her opposition to his will. But,
use what efforts he might, whether directly or
through her uncle, whose mind he systemati-
- lao,
niee and insinuations, she ever stood consis-
tently firm in her refusal, entrenching herself
for the most part in patient silence. which,
however, again did Der harm with the old man,
Attribut!ng it as he did to the mere sullenne5s
OF obstiuacy.
Early one morning Cecilia was sitting by the
fireplace. She had lying upon her lap some
hall. finished article of female attire. Neverthe-
less, she YVES not actually at work her hands
lay loosely upon her knees, her eyes were fixed
intently but unconsoiously upon the 6reless
hearth, and in q low voice che now and then
dropped half-muttered words, which indicated
the direction of her secret thoughts. The name
OF Bart and that of her uncle fell ever and anon
from her lips, accompanied by deep sighs but
her countenance remained unchanged, motion
3o1s as the features of o marble statue. Sud
denly noise of footsteps struck her ears,
deatbly paleness overspread her face, aud she
trembled as though in frightened expectation
OF some horrible spparition. And probably her
Apprehensons were accurately fulfilled, for
one Of the doors presently opened, and Tbys
game in.
Cecilia bowed her head still lower, as though
TO avoid seeing him /; but else she remained per.
f6eotly motionless On his countenance stood
smile of such malignity, such venomous cruelty,
as in truth fully to justify the terror with
which she seemed to regard him without
Saying q word, he came close up to her, under
the preterce of seeking for something among
the ashes with the tongs, and as he did so set
down his foot 90 heavily upon hers that a
thrill of pain darted through all her body; still
difficult as it was, she maintained her silsnce
Then, moving his elbows hither and thither
about her head, he contrived TO strike her more
than one sharp blow with them in the face, but
still without extortiug a word of complaint
from her lips. ALI she DID was to draw herself
in, 10 make herself small, SO to say, like one
that looks for i'll treatment and accepts it with
helpless submission. After repeated attacks Of
similar kind. under which the poor girl pas
Bively allowed herself 70 be thrust about first
one way, then the other, Ike lifeless object,
at laat Thys spoke.
"You sit there like log of wood - he
roughly exclaimed. Do get out of my way,
can't you!"
And as he uttered the words he pushed her
violently by the shoulder that her head
struck heavily against he chimney piece. Sill!
in the same uu bT oxen silence she resumed her
former position, but this time was unable 70
restrain gush of ears, the shock and tGe pa
for the moment over bearing her will. The cruel
tormentor now retired by two or three steps
b2ckw ard, crossed his armS pom h!- casss,
stood while gazing on her VITA huteDus
grin of spite, and again spoke.
II told you yesterday ne 8li'I. "a ~ Ef-'I@Y
10 your last chance think w.. 0f = zz@rs
10 nothing so bad hut WhaS 7ou mA7 INK f'r tt
tomorrow if the sun goes dnR1 20 tS7 s1"1s
my having your yea"
And, as Cecilia sGi!i nai 5hstr -rsSt 8S. Ee,
he became positively furious
All" he cried Jon THu's SPEAK VIZ :
you that's all 5haU'4 lat5 7nH nr,", : 's-n--'
but I'll make erd ~ EhaT son II Ecd
WSy to loose your ton zII@. r.! vScrAa5 1oz
Como, let's hear you speaG
And he darte4 u1oa her seiz II Ger bY both
shoulders with the 9rl pc * wee, A.d Ahook
hor SO violently hi50er AHd taIEasv snas her
head turned round with Is- AID a.! tie while
he fixed his eyes OF hers with 20 f.rOcl0os an
expression that the ponr victim rrsrn bIed 10
every limb. 10 truEb, shs Al aos fAr from the
thought that he about to nurdsC her
"Speak !" at laa' he halioV=d oaE, ''uT III
crush Your shoulder bones hetHsen my ia
Gers"
A low cry bur.r sorsa from the rnaideus
breast; she fell upon he: knees, aud With up
lifted hands,
"Ob, Thys, Thy.." shs exclaimed, What
harm have done TO yoai IGyoG want TO Kill
me, for mercy's sake do IL az once. and dou't
ms TN Iaat IN Az