The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-12-30
ADHEMAR DE BELCASTEL,
BE NOT HAsTY In JUDGING.
OE

Company, III putilshed = it'll lite permission.
XII.
IConunued.
Blanche laviehed upon her father AL daugh-
tiers afectionate attentions, ard seldom left his
room. Adhemar s'so evinced the kindness and
sympathy OF q devoted s1n, and the Count Ap-
poared to revive in this genial atmosphere of
love. II Blancbe had had 10 cat So for an xiety,
shs might have been happy. surrouuded, as she
wss, by all the epdearing recolleotiops of child
hood, and enjoying the mingled pleasure of
fathers, husbands. and Els ,s society at once
Adhsmara attentions TO her fatter and herself
werc unremitting, though the latter ssvored
more of oourtesy than the delicate ministrs-
tiors Of affection. She felt this the more keen
a. % heF tenderness for him daily increased,
hi. ons--"tef eontjrnaliy dsTsioping new
traits, worthy of d. nil A!ion:
Religion soon became tine "aly 90 t}eet o. con
iKersation that really interested "as 49,
With arguments full Of Strength snd lSsiInS :,
Adhemsr sought to vanquisa tne oou tomb
ut last felt the pecs s.ity Of rejecting up5S
-EhA. be LAD treated so iiaatly during lite buL
alas it 10 very difficult to appreciate what one
has long time rejected, and conviction CT
mind does not follow that of the heart.
Seeing ba. the Count 10 longer needed her
care, Elise believed it her duty to leave him,
particularly al her husband was Enxious for
only en- account OF their lifelong intimacy, but
also because she would row be left entitely
alone with AdbeDsr whilst the Count was re-
posing and since their .rexpiicable nisunder-
standing this position had always been a mt :.
embarrassing one.
Adhemar was eudeavoriug to nerve himself
for the trial of scqnaintins Blanche with the
near approach of a sad event she still believed
Mt q distance. Whilst hesitatips how to breach
the subject, she opened the way herself by her
questions.
"My dear Blanche" said he, "ycur father
himself ht 8 very slight hopes of recovery he
does not oven desire il, knowing that at his
age he could expect nothing but ipfsnities.
3d. my dear, We muet resign ourselves to see.
ing those We love omit 3 life which, if spared
them, might only be q series of suffer ipgs.'
"Oh I" said Blanche, with deep Sigh, ''if he
wese prepared to co. could forget self en-
"The last time 1 was here. Blanche, your
father psEsd for an inf tei; row he wishes TO
he convinced of the truth of religion. If you
my heart At one period of my life, you will
understand that of sill Ulen feel the lee ST de-
spAiring of others. God, who changed my err
ing oourse, can in an instant enlighten his soul
with ray of light even far more vivid thar
that which besmed upon NE. all unworthy 81
WAa."
40 monsieur p replied Blanche, with emo
fion, lyon know 90 we'll how TO prefer conso.
lAsiOn. Believe me, my gratitnde is unbounded
when think of all the attentions you have
lAvished upon my father, of you: upaterabls
patience, your excessive kindress."
Still gratitude, Blanche! The word really
wounds me-. When / wen. TO Russis, yon
promised 10 regard me as q dear friend, at
least, aud for long time enjoyed the allusion
that you did; when 50 denly you treat me . S
m utter stranger, or rather as tyrant whom
you fear to offend; you seem overwhelmed by
gratitude on the least mark of attention. How
have merited och treAtment7"
lyon Astonish me very much, for il appears
90 mo that it is yon and not who have
changed" -.
Shell ever avoid it. acknowledge my regret
at having written several of those letters you
received during my absence, though really the
style OF yours appeared to authorize my COOL
mess. was very angry for time but il could
mot last long, aud to-day ask pardon for hav,
ing wounded or offended you in return. When
I saw you gSiu, your perfect simplicity, Your
candor, your purity of intention, convinced me
consequence of = cruel illusion batI am going
too far. wish to say only this, that my feel
iDgs for you are what they were before my
journey. Cannot you accord me the same"
Certainly monsieur; but As a'so detest
want of candor, permit me 30 say that the tone
of yOur letters had changed very perceptibly
bsfors l allowed myself TO follow your ex
"Ah BlAncheln replied Adhemar, sadly
GhAking his head, ''don,t say thar. know The
whole affair, bat 1 shall never ask an AckDowl
0dgraent from you; it must be volunteered
Lay the past aside and let rs 20 back to the
point at which We separated last year.
If ct some future day you feel disposed
60 speak freely and unre ssrvedly 10 your bus,
hand, do 30 without the slightest fear. Re,
membar that laid before you the errors oi
my past life, hoping it would encourage yOu
10 give me your confidence. Although | dc
not Wish to aid yon in pAlliAting your faults
you we'll know how very slight they wonld
appear ia comparison TO mine"
Better Satisfied than formerly, but very much
assOnished, Blanche knew not what to snswtr,
" What acknowledgement does be mean - said
she, "th0 only one have TO make is evidently
mot the one he expects, aud he docs not seem