The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-03-18

, supply. Besides this. Gussave, who was pro
! baby anxious for some excuse TO have wore
asked permission to fill her glass; so that, ver!
soon after the soup and meat had beer
disposed of, the arst bottle was entirely emp
tied.
Civility required that it should be imme
diately replaced; and, as De Vlierbeck OBJ
served that the more Monsieur Dsnecker talk
cd the more he drank, he thought he NIGH
try whether less conversation would not mod
| crate the merchants thirst. But, alas! he Wal
dissppoint ted for 1t that mo@ent Dsneckel
introduced the topic of wine, and, landing the
ct the extraordinary sobriety of his host. With
this he redoubled his attack on the bottle, and
was in some degree, though less vigorously,
seconded by Gustave. De Vlierbeck's agony
beoame more and more intense as he saw the
rosy fluid sink and sink in the second bottle,
until at length the last drop was drained into
| the merchant's glass.
old and good but have always found, in
tasting liquors. that if we don't change them
| We lose their flavor. I take it for granted that
your first samples; SO I propose that we now
| try bottle of your Chateau-RargauS, and, If we
have time, we can finish with bottle of
hoohheimer. I never drink champaign 1t Is .
bad liquor for winedrinkers."
| As the last words fell from Denecker, poor
De Vlierbeck grew deadly pale, as his frighten-
cd spirit went rummaging through the cracks
| or expedient which might extrioate him from
his deep perplexity.
Chateau nsarsaur ?" inquired he, with q
calm smile. "CerSainly, sir, if You wish it."
And then, turning to the laokey,-"John," said
be. "bring bottle of Chatcau-ndrgauc you
will f nd it in the third cellar on the left hand
side"
gaping mouth, as if he had been addressed in
one of the dead languages. Seeing the ptedi-
camenf, and mastering it rapidly:
Excuse me- said Vlierbeck, rising; che
nnl G,1 sN rzN. T..
moment"
Rushing into the kitchen, he seized the third
and last bottle and descended to the cellar
where he stopped to draw breath and compose
himself.
Chateau margaur! hochhein,er! champagne ?"
exclaimed poor De Vierbeck, land not an
other drop of wine in my house but what is in
this last bottle of claret! What shall l. do
what can do 7" continued he, as he held the
cobwebbed bottle in one hand and stroked HIS
chin with the other. Z" But no matter: there's
no time for reflection !; the die is cast, and may
God help me in my needi'
He assembled the stair, entered the dining
room with the oorkscrew in the last cork, aud
found that during his absence Lenora had or
dered fresh glasses on the table.
This wine," said De Vlisrbeck, holding the
twenty years old, Monsieur Denecker, and
sincerely hope it will please your palate" So
nephew, and gazsd anxiously in their faces for
Deneoker tasted the wine, drop by drop,
IKE an epicure, and, shaking his head disap-
There's mistake, doubtless" said he;
" for it's the identical wine we had before"
De viierbeck feigned surprise admirably,
tasted the wine in turn, and replied:
beliers you are right, and that hare made
mistake; yet, as the bottle is opened and not
bad, suppose we drink it before l make another
descent to the CELLAR There's abundance of
time"
I've no objection" answered the merchant,
" provided you help Us, so as to get through it
and last bottle diminished more rapidly than
It's predecessors, till two three glasses alone
remained ct the bottom to crown the festival.
, Poor De Vlierbeck could no longer conceal
his agitation. He tried to keep his eyes off the
fatal bottle ) bat a sort of fascination drew
him back to it, and each time with increased
anxiety. That dreadful word Chateau-n,ar-
g0uE " rang in his ears. His face biushed and
grew paie and a cold clammy sweat STOOD IN
big beads on his forehead. Yet he felt that he
had not entirely exhausted his resources, and
resolved to fight the battle of humiliation to
the end. He wiped his brow and cheeks,
coughed, and turned aside as if about to sneeze.
By dint of these manOavres he continued TO
the bottle TO pour out its last drop. As he
clRsped the neck, a chill seized the historical
frame Of the poor gentleman, deadly paleness
overspresd his features, and his head fell with
Q grosn against the tall back of the chair.
Was it in truth o fainting- ft, or did the suf-
ferer take advantage of his emotion to play q
part and escape the embarrassment of his
Bitustionf
In g moment the whole party were on their
feet, while Lenora screamed and ran to her
father.
ITS nothing said De Vlierbeck, striving, |
after q minute or two, to rally himself. FI am
faint; the confined air of this room overcame |
nae; Let me walk . while in the garden and 1 |
will soon be better"
As he said this he staggered to his feet and |
supported by Lenora and Gustave, moved to.
ward the garden, followed by Denecker with
On expression of the deepest concern. A short
rest in the open air beneath the shade Of a no.
bio ohestnut:troe quickly restored a faint color
TO Vherbecks cheek and enabled him to
tack. . N'D "'
will rest here while out of DOORS" said
he, for fear the 6t might return; and perhaps
Q slow walk in the garden mig hit hasten nv
It will do both of Us good" answered De-
n ne a %and' besides, as l have to quit You
without seeing its garden. Let US take turn
through your walks, and afterward we shall
have time enough TO finish another bottle"
As he said this he passed Lenora,s arm