The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-03-11

Wnlch otner persons may IauRni Auu yob
alasl so IL isl The young gentleman of whom
] spoke to You 10 to dine with us Tomorrow ir
company with his unole,-the uncle invited
himsef,- and we have absolutely nothisg "a
trifies to appear decently before the guests
and 1t IL probable that the civility will be re-
turned by an Invitation from them. our $50
lstion cannot long conceal our want. Sacrifices
of all kinds have already been made to pre-
vent our being overwhelmed with mortihoa'
tion" AZ he uttered these last words he drew
forth his band from his pocket with about two
france In small change, which be held exposed
behold" continued he, with a bitter smile
"behold every cent have in the world and
to- morrow rioh people are to dine at my house!
If my poverty is betrayed by anything, fare
we'll to my child's prospects! For Code sake,
my good friend, be generous, and help me!
"a thousand francs !" mnttered the notary,
shaking his head II can't deceive my clients,
sir. What pledge can you give to secure the
loani You possess nothing which is not al
ready mortgaged beyond it's value"
"A thousand five hundred two hundred !"
thing to relieve me from this cruel difficulty I"
II have no disposable funds" replied the
notary ooldly. SIN fortnight perhaps I may
have some; but even then could promise no.
tb ing positiVely.i
"Then, for the sake of friendship, beseeoh
you, lend me some money yourself"
al could never expect that you would re-
turn what l might lend, >" said the notary, con.
"a
meT
Poor De vlierbeck trembled on his chair
and became pale as ashes; his eyes flashed
wildly and his brow knotted with frowns.
Yet he quickly curbed the unwonted aRitA-
tion, bowed his head, and sighed resignedly,
"Alms! Alas! 80 be it! let me drink the very
dregs of this bitter CUP: itis for my child :"
The notary went to drawer and took from
it some five-frano pieces, which he offered to
his visitor. 1t is difficult to say whether the
poor gentleman was wounded by the actual
receipt of charity, or whether the sum was too
small to be useful; but, without touching the
money, he glanced angrily at the silver and
fell back in his chnir, covering his face with
his hands.
Just at this moment o servant entered, an
nouncing another visitor and. as soon as
the lackey left the apartment, Monsieur De
Vierbeck sprang from his chair, dashing
away the tears that had gathered in his eyes.
The notary pointed to the money, which hs
] aid on the corner of the table: but the morti-
fed guest turned away his head with q gesture
of repugnant refusal.
Pardon my boldness, sir" said he, "but 1
And it is-|
"That you will keep my secret for my
daughters sake"
"oh, as to that. make yourself easy. You
know me we'll enough to be aware of my dis
erection. Do you decline this trifling aid ~
Thanks! thanks" cried the gentleman,
pushing sway the notary's hand and, tremb-
ling as If seized by sudden chill. he rushed
for the servant to open the door.
Utterly overcome by the terrific blow to his
hopes, beside himself with modification, with
his head hanging on his bosom and his eyes
bent starngly on the ground, the poor fellow
ran about the streets for q considerable length
of time without knowing what he was about OF
whittier he was going At length the stern
conviction of want and duty partially aroused
him from his feverish dream, and he walked
on rapidly in the direction of the gate of Bor-
genhout, till he found himself entirely alone
among the Notifications.
He had no sooner reached this solitary quar-
ter than q terrible conflict seemed to begin
within him; his lips quivered and muttered
incoherently, while his face exhibited q thou
sand different expressions of suffering, shame
and hope. After while he drew forth from
his pocket the golden snuff box, looked long
and sadly on the armorial engravings that
adorned it, and then fell into Q revere from
which he soddenly aroused himself as if about
taking solemn resolution. With his eyes
intently fixed on the box, he began to oblite-
rate the arms with his knife, as he murmured,
in voice oftremulous emoton,-
"Remembrsncer of my dear and excellent
mother, protecting talisman that has SO long
concealed my misery and which l invok cd as u
sacred shield whenever poverty was on the eve
of betrayiug me, last fragment of nv apces-
try, must bid thee farewell; aud-alas I
alas my own hand must profane and destroy
thee! God grant that the last service thou
wilt ever render me may save from over
whelmug humiliationw
A tear trickled down his wan cheek as HIS
voice became still; but he went on with his
task of obiteration till every trace of the Greet
and shield disappeared from the emblazoned
lid. After this he returned to the heart of the
town and passed through a number of small
and louely streets, glsncing eagerly. but
askance, AT the signs as he passed on ward in
his agitation.
An honr had certainly elapsed in this boot
less wandering, when he entered narrow lane
in the quarter of Saint Andre and uttered a
sudden cry of joy as he oasght glimpse of the
object for which he was in search. His eve
lighted on sign which bore the simple but
ominous inscription :-"SwoRN PAwNBRoKER.'
He passed by the door and walked rapidly to
the end of the lane; then, turning hastily, he
retraoed his steps, Fastening or lingering as he
noticed any one passing in his neig borhood,
TIL at length he crept along the wall to the
door, aud seeing the thoroughfare almost
empty. ruahed into the house and disappeared.
After considerable time De Vlerbeck came
forth from the mouey-leuders aud ouickly
gained another street. There was a slight
expression of satisfsotiOn In his eyes but The
bright blush that suffused his hsEGard cbeekH
gave token of the new humiliation Through
which the sufferer had passed. Walking rap.
idly from street to street, be soon reached n
pastry cooks, where he filed q basket with a
stuffed turkey, pie, preserves, and various
other smaller equipments for the table, and,
paying for his purchases, told the cook that
h0 WOuld aaDd hin fOr tbo