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


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sisted IN his descrrpsioa of the various ARTICLES
| by Monsieur De Viierbeck, who informed the
bidders of their origin. antiquity, and vaiue
Occasionally some gentleman of the neigh
| borhood who. in better day 8, bad been on gooo
| terms with Lenoras father, approached MIN
| with words of sy mpathy I; bnt he always man
aged to escape adroity from these indiscree'
cessary for him O speak, he showed 30 much
| self command and oomposure that be was faI
above the idle compassion ef that careless
crowd yet il his countenance was calm and
dignif ed, his heart was weighed down by
| absorbing grief ALI that bad belonged to ms
| aDoestors-articles that were embla z oned with
he arms of bis family and h ad been religiously
preserved AS heirlooms for several centuries
were sold at contemplate rates and passed
into the hands of brokers. As each historical
relic placed the table or held mp by
the auctiopeer, the lipks of his illustrous race
seemed to break off and depart. When the
sale was nearly over, the portraits of eminent
men who had borne the name of Do Viierbeck
ere taken down from the walls and placed
upon the sJand. The hrst-that of the hero of
st. Q aentin-was knocked of to q dealer for
little more than three francs! In tae sale of
this portrait, and the lsughsble price IL
brought, there was so much bitter irony that,
for the first time the agony that had been 30
long torturing De YIierOeok's heart began to
exhibit lite traces in his countenance. No
sooner had the hammer fallen, than, with down
cast eyes and o Sigh that was inaudlble even
to ais nearest neig hbor, the stricken nobleman
turned from the crowd and left the saloon, 30
not to witness the final eacrifice of the re-
naming memorials that bound him TO his
race.
The sun was but an hour or two above the
horizon. A deathiike silence had taken the
place of the noise, hustle, and vuI9arity that
ruled at Grinselhof during the morning; the
solitary garden walks were deserted, the
house door and gate were closed, and q strsng-
er might have supposed that nothing had oc-
Cured to disturb the usual qniet of the spot.
Odd 1nrly ha Nf hn - linz I'D
and two persons appeared upon the sill one,
a man advanced in life, the other, a pale and
serious woman. Each carried . small package
and seemed ready for travel. Lsnors
dressed in simple dark gown and bonnet,
her neck covered by small square handker-
chief. De Vlierbeck was buttoned up to the
chin in a coarse black greatcoat. aud wore O
threadbare cap whose large visor nearly
masked his features. Although it was evident
that the homeless travellers had literally
stripped themselves of all superhuities and
had determined to go forth with the meres'
neoessaries of decency, there was something
in the manner in which they wore their hum
BILE costumes that distinctly marked their
birth and breeding. The old mans features
were not changed but it was difficult to say
whether they expressed pleasure, pain. or in
difference. Lenora seemed strong aud reso-
lutte, although she was about to quit the place
Of her birth and separate herself, perhaps for
ever, from all she had loved from infancy
from those aged groves beneath whose sh ado VS.
the dawn of love fret broke upon her heart
from that remembered tree at whose foot the
timid avowal of Guatave's passion had fallen
on her ear. Butts sense of duty possessed and
ruled her heart. Reason in her was not over
mastered by ssnsibiiity and, when she saw
her father tottering at her eide, all her
energy was rallied in the effort to sustain
him.
They did not linger at the door, but, cposs-
ing the garden rapidly, directed their steps
bid it's occupants farewell, Bess and her
servant maid were in the first apartment be-
low.
"Mother Bsss," said Monsieur De vlerbeok,
calmly, I'VE have come to bid you good-by.'
Bess stared moment anxiousiy at the ira
veilers, and, lifting her apron to her eyes, lett
the apartment; while the servant maid leaned
her head against the window frame and began
to sob as if her heart would break. In short
time Bess returned with her husband, whom
she had found in the barn.
Alas! is it true. hir,' said the farmer, IN 8
stitled voice,-"is it true that you are going to
leave Grlnselhof, and that, perhaps, we shall
DeVer see you again.
Come, come, mother Bess," said the poor
bankrupt, as ns took and pressed her hand
don't weep on that account; you see We bear
our lot " ith resignation"
Bessie raised her head, threw her eyes once
more over the humble dress IF her old master
and began to cry violently that she could
not utter word. Her husband etrove manfal'
ly to repress his emotion and. after AN effort
or two, addressed Monsieur De VlieFbeck in
o manly way:
MAY ask the favor of you, sir. to let me say
u word or two to you in prIvateP
De Vierbeck entered the adjoining room
| where be was followed by the farmer, who SD III
the door carefully.
Il hardly dare. sir" said he, ito mention
my request but will you pardon me if it dis
! peases yon"
Speak ont frankly, my frieDd,' reformed
De Vtierbeck, with a smlle.
Look you, sur stammered tho tender
hearted laborer. "Everythiug that l Eav,
earned l owe to you. l rad nothing when
married Bess and Yet, with yonr kindness
we have maAagcd to sucreed. Gods mere!
and your favor have made prosperous
while you, cur bruefactors, have BIC. mo III
fortunate and are forced To wander away from
their homes,-Gnd knows Were! Sou ma,
be fuIC-d To suffer pGivItious and went hu
that must not be {: would reproach myself a
long H7 live oh, T" continued he, as hi
voice fatered and his eyes filed with tears
'all that have on earth is at Your service !.
( De Nliet6eck pressed the bard hand of tn
rusti, with a rem bling grasp, as be Replied
You are a worthy man,a indeed. aud l an
happy that it was once in my power TO protec
and serve you but l cannot accept your Of OF
my friend: keep what You have earned by th
sweat OF your brow, and do not concern your
self for our future fate for, with G. DDS help
we shall find means to live"
"Oh, sir" said the farmer, beseechingly, ant
clasping his hands in an attitude of entreaty