The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-12-23

dAmp oto :, |
would be more becoming; come, dear, lean
And say ing this, che led Blanche to the yes
tibule; the servants having opened tue uoor'
"What weather dear Adbemar Brings" said
Nine. Duval, as furious puf OF WIND WnlIleu
the snow into the carriage. She then whisper
ed n few words to Blanche, gently urging her
to give Adhemsr o cordial reception.
The carriage stopped; Blanches heart Shroo-
bed violently. The door was oIeae1, ana Au,
Embracipg Blanche frat, he hastily Olsen.
gagged hiDseifto greet his aunt and nieces' re-
tanning them few minutes iu his arms.
Then, with his usual affAbility, he had q
pleasant word foF-each- one of the ssryanle.
Turning to to the p'SloL he tie ssSs ms
Do not be afraid of my freezing yon'
Blanche" said he in a low voice.
"oh. no." replied Blanche, eagerly and tax
irg his two hands in hers "H0" o0io you
He looked at ber an instant, and hastily
Olsen gaging his hands, began to oaress tne
| Oh ldren. Poor Blanche, IN ortifed and troubled,
| seated herself in such O way rs to prevent the
bright freight shining upon her sorrowtui
coun tensBce
awe hardly expected your return 40 soon,
nv dear Adhemar," said Nine. Duval.
| ~ was very anxious to get home as soon
as possible; some highly important matters
urged my return, and l did not remain %a;nas At
|
| of my mission"
"Did you fnd the roads passable 7"
| "Yes, but hardly expected they would be
90 near home, though I might have known
| that my good aunt would have thought OF
! having them cleared.
II do not deserve the credit of it, Adhemar; /;
| it was Blap ohe's idea"
| "Blanohe !" repeated he, in astonishment,
and looking at her sttentively.
She could not utter word, her heart was
too full /; Adhemar looked SO pale, SO thin, and
| n aorf of lAnpOur in movement betrayed
the depth of his suffering.
"You have certainly been sick, M. de Bel
castel Z" she exclaimed in . tone OF unuls-
taxable interest, and forgetting her own de-
jection to sympathizs with his.
| Adhemar's 3 countenarce grew shade graVer
and more severe then, after moments 81
| lepce he answered quietly: 81 have had no
bodily sickness ct oil, none st least dating my
journey"
pletely oblivions of her presence.
nainfui silence followed. "OhW thought
Blan che, "my conjectures were only too correc'
it is very. evident that am the cause or al!
his troubles and what can do to console him
o my God if nlone Suffered from this m
happy marriage how much easier would 1t be
to bear deserve all that falls upoa my
!, self richly deserve il, for having neglected my
, Creator long. 1t ia bat just and Tlgh
that, in punishment, l should be deprived o
, all human consolation. y my God help me Il
, bear this cross! 1t pains me most of all Il
, know that Adhemar himself, so coed, so gen
J erous SO NOBLE also suffers from the same
! irreparable event, yet must learn Resignation
in this as in everything else God never re
fuses his assistance TO those VINO lmP!oFe III
2 help"
Nine. Duval broke this painful eilence b.
a ask ing several questions about Russia. Thi
< appeared to arouse Adhemar. and he gave quit
an interesting description of his travels in thi
@ immense but almost unknown country.
Il The children now hung round him with ever.
q mark of atfectonate attention. Dear llttl
creatures" said he, returning their csresses, "
v believe that absence has indeed increased on
fopduess for me-"
q "Aunt Blanche esys it is always the cas-
Il with those We really love- replied the ED
L. est.
"a "Aunt Blanche ~ repeated be in an altere'
70 tone, leaning over thes child to conceal HI
(. emotion. ,
"A "Yes, dear unole," continued both the littl
"a ones at once, "you know the morning sou Wen
l. away, you TOLD us not to let sapt Blsnoee & i9I
4 you every day.
:, "And YOU must have worried her @ith you
i. prattle"
" "Oh NO, no, uncle Aunt Blanche never get
i. tired of hearing about you"
O. "On the contrary" said Anna, "she oite
O. used to pat down her book or work to take u
on her knee, aud tell Us how much pleased sh
was to hear ps talk of Uncle Adhemar, an
TO that We ought to love him more than any on
10 else in the world"
Adhemar pressed the children to his hear
n. ~ am truly surprised, Blanche" said he, 9
d. the facility with which You have conformed
It, ali my wishes, and especially this last for
at must nave COST you RTeaO aeal.
ID Blanche longed to assure him of the COZ
trary, bot as he seemed to doubt the sincerit
w OF her sG5ction, she dreaded exposing herse
10 to new humiliations.
ye When supper was announced, Adhemar di
10 not offer Blanche his hand usual on goin
To their meals. Her heart was full the repa
he was made in silence, notwithstanding Nm
l." Da walls efforts to the contrary. After tonchir
&C. upon sew veral indifferent subjects, she venture
n. to reproach him for having been such POI
correspond dent. Blanche started at the wor
1T and cast upon her aunt look of EFT o Il
by Blanche" said Adhemar, noticing this, 'yG
need have no fears of ne l desire only to +
on store Your peace-your happiness. if possible
er Monsieur" replied she composedly, in stti
ing contrast to his u neon cealable asitatio
sit "de uot feel worried about my poace of mine
he believe me, l satisfied with whatev
ng Heaven accords."
TX He looked Mt her for moment witE an air
ay incsedulity, and then turning to his aunt ga
ia gently: my dear aunt please excuse me
1r- have been reserved with you. plead Gn;l
,g- to the charge, but do not enquire the cause,
ny ia too painful to think OF even. As to yc
Blanche" continued he, altering his tone
er. ono OF the utmost severity a little seit-exa
| inn al i'll give the cline To COpGD