The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-30

".rwas- at the suit of Edward Rogers th at
the sherif's men came to Rushock to arrest my
father" returned the girl evasively.
And yesterday" replied her hostess, you
questioned whether you ought not to accept
his hand-the hand of q man who hath at the
same blow disgrsoed your sire andssent that
holy priest to the gallowsp
to restrain her tears, for Gervase is catho-
lic!"
director was to reconcile him to the Church.
And now he writes to offer forthw with to pay my
fathers debt, and is gone to procure the sum
required to solve it,"
J" You must elbow there Is q silver lining to
this coal-blsck cloud, dear Clara"
"And Father Joachim will suffer martyr
DOM" rejoined Clara bitterly.
"You are not like the Christians OF the Cata-
combs," replied the dame, "for they were full
of joy when apv of their priests or brethren
were hurried off to death, and oertes none
among them ever oourted msrtyrdom more
eagerly than Father Fsllp
"rhe gain is his, aud the lose ours; but 'tis
foIsooth heavy loss terrible calamity. 1
will 60 and see him in his prison. There is
still hope. They may not prove his priest
him"
"Let us return aud hear what the messenger
hath to say" said the dame. for perchanoe he
bringeth later tidings of the good Father"
The ladies hastened down the hill. Clara's
step was more elastic than her won't of late,
ana IL was 0ViueuG TO nSr companion sCuRb O0-
spite the overwhelming nature of the tidings
8 balm had been distilled inte her soul which,
unackno wledged by herself, compensated her
in great degree for her sorrows.
"Ths Justices ha' sent him to Worcester
Castle" quoth old Adds to his young mistress
when he CANA to confer with her, " and he ha'
been there since yesterday, God bl.s, him! /
know'd it would be go. said as much to my
good wife es soon as this ERE Plot was noised
about. l know'd he was too good for 'em to
keep their hands off him; dear gentleman, he
is a saint, if any be in heavenw And the tears
ran down his checks as he spoke Almighty
God knows what will become of US without
him. The rests trfls to it, though, by'r
Lady, they battered about the old house ter.
pounds will make good again, ay, and pretty
near frightened the old laay's life out of her to
boot. But she is safely housed at Harrington
and now my only fear is tor master-fori if these
sheriffs men get hold of him, they'll clap him
into prison, aud being reousant, God knoweth
if he'll ever get out again"
"What do you purpose doing, Adds 7" en-
quired Clara after listening to his story.
~ means to go after master, and find him
wherever he be, if you will suffer me to follow
him." he replied.
Bot you cannot walk on foot 80 many
Lady. I'd walk to the worlds end to save
him from prison, dear gentleman by'r Lady,
1 would-and ask no better"
81 wish you would mount my steed and ride
after him. You would treat her we'll, and lose
less time in finding him."
God bless You, Mistress Clara" he returned
gratefully. "Pd do the job in half the time
most like. and I'd go as carefully as could"
You must proceed to Squire Hornyold's at
Blackmore, and thence, if he be not there. to
Squire Russels, at Little Malvern, where tits
likely you may find him. If not, they will
forward you on his wake toward Hereford. 1
will write letter which you shall convey with
these you brought me-"
She then retired to her chamber and, after
psrnsing Gecvase's epistle several times, aud
even pressing it to her lips, she wrote a long
missive TO her father, in which she almost
urged him to accept Saoheverilrs generous
offer, rather than borrow money from others.
When she had written it she was the point
of tearing it up, and was even preparing to
carry her intention into execution, when Dame
Hanford tapped at her door and asked her if
her letters were ready, for that the messenger
was impatient to start, as he should otherwise
be belated in his journey. Ashamed to confess
her hesitation she folded up her letter, euclos-
ing all three in the Same packet, which when
sealed she handed tosh friend.
That night she felt that she had sealed her
fate, aud as she prayed before the crucifix in
the oratory for the good old priest who was
languishing 10 Worcester Castle, she likewise
prayed for him whom she already almost re-
garded as her own betrothed one.
ITO be Continued.