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

open. The full moon sbone fairly in sky
without n cloud. i unfasteDed the gate aud
went in |; and there in the open door sat Alice
with shawl thrown over her shoulders. her
head resting on the shaggy coat of the New
foundlAnd dog His beautifn nj brown eyes
watched me AS l came up the path, but he
did not stir.
set down near her; bot on the lower step,
so that could look mp in her face.
"Alice. you do not look WELL"
But am. Quite we'll. am going away
Tomorrow"
"Going away! wheseT'
Home. To London. Wellf What ails
any one who went to L"ndon beforeW
Yes bnt why do yon got"
why !" She opened her eyes and look ed
at me: For many reasons. Firstiy, 1 only
came for six weeks, and have stayed nearly
three months; secondly, because have bust.
ness which can be put off no longer; and
thirdly, because my friends are wondering
what on earth keeps mo here so long (they will
say soon, it is you) Frank. They VOW they can
not do without me any longer, and 1t 10 pleas
ant to be missed, You know"
And 30 you are going back to the ofd life,
Alicsf And by and by 1 suppose you will
marryT
would not advise any man, be he old or
young, in case he does not think 1t wise or
lnger with her in the doorway of q silent
farm house, and hold her hand, and look ont
upon a moonlight night. The touch OF the
small slight fingers was playing the mischief
with my good resolutions, and my wisdom Cf
had any
"Alics,"I said softly and almost started
she did. Mt the snuud of my own voice, it
WAS 80 changed. alice, We have been very
happv here.'
Every"
1 took both her bands, and held them close
in mine. i5nt she would not look at me, though
her face WAS turned that way.
There la d great difference between us, dear
Alice / am much older than you and much
graver. 1 have never loved any woman but
N5.,p N ifa uh hav nha
thousand hearts, and had thonsaud fanCies
If you were what the worlds thinks you, and
what you try TO make yourself ont to be,
should say no more than tbis-I love you. But
| know you have heart. / know you can
love, if you will and can be true, if you will.
And 60 beseech you to talk to me honestly,
and tell me if you can love me, if you do.
am not used to asking such questions of
ladies, Alice, and may seem rough and rude;
bat believe me, when l say you have won my
whole heart, and / cannot be happy without
you"
"Yss, believe yoa," she said.
But do you trust me, and do you love me 7"
She might trlfe with o trifer, but she was
earnest enough with me.
trust you. and love you, abe answered
frankly. "Are you wondering why can stand
before you and speak 30 calmly Because, do
not think shall ever marry you. You do not
love me, rs 1 have always said my husband
should love me. 1 am wayward aud exaoting.
and 1 should weary your life out by my con-
ssant craving for tenderness. was made to
10 postou, CE0uA ouO SOup tHOuRu u loving,
are not an effsetionate man. You would wish
me at the bottom of the Red Sea before we
had been married q month and, because you
% and break real f nv he heart by way of % smusement' S |
know it as well as if had seen it all-even
now."
She looked at me-, aud all her woman's heart
and nature were in her eyes. They spoke love
and passion, and deep, deep tenderness-and
all for me. Something lesped into life in my
heart at that moment which bsd never felt
the last few hours seem cold and dead beside
its tervid glow. had her in my arms within
the instant.close, close to my heart.
"Alicel If ever man loved woman with
heart and soul-mady and unreasonably If you
will: but still truly and honestly-I love you,
my darling"
' But will it last : o Frank. will it last p"
"You will be my wife, Alice :"
She leaned her pretty head against my arm,
and her heart stole into mine again.
Do you mean that for your answerf Am
to keep the hand, dear Alice, and call it
minef"
elf you will, Francis"
1t was the first time she had ever given ne
that name. But she never called mo by any
it souuds sweetIy in my memory now; and il
will sound sweetly to my dying day.
We were married not long after, aud for six
months dwel5 in a % FOOLS Paradise -
When think thas bat for it might have
lasted 10 our dying day, can only sigh and
take up the burden of my life with an achiug
heart.
They had called Alice ickle-oh, no "
wrongly! No human being could be truer TO
another han she was to ne
" / only wanted to find my master, Francis .
she used to say. when laughed at her aboni
| 1t. Z" 1 was looking for him through all those
lepg years, and l began TO think that he
would never coane. But, from he irst moment
when heard you speak, and met your eyes,
felt that he WAS near me. And am glad to
wear my masters chains,' she added, kissip &
! my hand.
And sm sure che was in earnest. pleased
her best when l treated her most like child
| She was no angel q passionate, high. spirited
creature. She rebelled u thousand times n day,
although che delighted in my control. But II
was pretty to ber. when she turned to
leave the room, with fire in her eyes, aud q
| deep fush on her cheek it was pretty to see
ber with her hand upon the lock even, drop
| her proud head submIssively, and wait when
| said, Stop. Shut the door and listen to me. .
Yet it was dangerous. who had never been
| loved before, what could do but become a
| tyrant, when q creature noble as this bent
| down before mel
She loved me. Every chord of her most
] sentative heart thrilled and trembled to my
touch, aud gave forth sweetest music yet