The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-02-25

> of smlths' banners T.
Magdalen II ade no reply, but her eyes opene
wider, and she passed her hand thou bttull
over her fair open forehead as seeking to re cal
memory.
" Later pnrsned the colonel, still NOR
hastily, still more anxously; iisten, now
whe her you haven't often heard nose lik
this" Aud with the handle of bis riding hi
he beat time in his hand to the usual measur
sang:
Ricketioketack
| Strike while it's Rot,
| IND tarry not.
Again one, two,
And ever as he went on, a daeper and deeper
thrill passed through her, till, as he closed, she
| cried out, in transport Of delight:
| Yes! yes! Ricketcketack I"
| And sbe beat the selfsame measure in her
hard.
Now, my child de you remember a mans
| tune7'
She put her forefnger to her lips and shut
| her eyes After moment of silence, she said,
half aloud, and, as it were, doubtfully:
Tie nan-the man was-my father"
The colonel trembled in every limb; he WAS
on the point of opening his arms to clasp her
to him; still, he held back for one more ques-
ton.
But now tell me again, child; was yoar
name Nagdaleu thenf Can you reUUllect Vat
the man that darced son on his knte used 10
call yon7"
Sac cast down her eyes, aud for q while
sy Liable by syllable she replied:
Gle called ue Lie Gear--<ear-< dear MoHi ga"
NY chiid my chlId" erred the colonel, il
a vuica t. at mi t hGye been :sard all over Lhe
hcat" H"nici4 lay GA BIS bosom.
Ste looked up to him with her dark eyes
she smiled ewettiy upon him. at lgsT, oyer-
p"wetei by her feelings, she would have fallen
10 the ground had noJ his arm supported her.
Aud 30 they set ont, she leaning Cd him, and
followed tire road, making q stand every now
and then, till the faI m house came into distant
ri,, i
farther without beginning to leave it behind,
Certainly it was far enough from the coloDePs |
thoughts to Set foot in the house where his |
daughter had suffered much; espt tcally he |
shraDk from coming in contact with the brutal |
mistress who had felsihed the poor child's
name in order to appropriate the casket with
its contents. Accordingly, when they arrived
at this point he dreE Monica on with a hurried
step, and endeavored, by questions and mani
festations of affection, TO divert her attention
from the ferpI. Aud from this we may con
clude that she bAd already told him all aud
how it would be with heavy heart that she
would part from the peasant lad who had ever
50 faithfully cared for her and protected her as
\ brother. However much goud Monica had
old her father of Jan, he could not but feel
secret It tpLEnance for the son of her tornentor,
md would have been muoh better pleased TO {
break away without more ado from so uu-
pleasant Il set of associations.
Bat, spite of her fathe!'s precautions, Moni- {
"a suddenly lore herself from his arms, turned I
oward the farm, uLd stocd Im0tiOn!ess and =
peechless.
The colonel LETT her q moment to Lor emo t
ion, W bich he Interpreted farewell to all a
er recollectious OF the past tat " hen he saw !
er eyes filled with teas he could not help a
hroWing in wOyd.
Dear Monica, how eau you greve at lesv- p
1g house where you heve suffered So much q
All, he'll die - she sighed out 0
Not he, child don't doubt he'll miss b
ou at first: bat he'll soon be oOmforted and o
rget you." b
A sndden lash lighted up Nnnios's eyes. b
Forget me !" cried she. Forget bis sister II
ever. neverl Ah, could l zee but him once 1t
gain All There he is! Jan Jan !"
And, Ike hunted deer, she darted over the 81
ssth toward tho Jourg peasant hon she u
nd been in the distance passing among the 81
der bushes. With open arms rhe threw her II
Ut upon him, Int not gladly there WAS
tber tone OF deep Suffering in her voice
e spoke:
Inc youth regarded her with an astouished fr
r, aud seemed not to understand her; but at
g pointed over the heath, and added: al
" See, there, behind me comes my father 1t lt
as of him that the voice within me used TO
eak." ht
The lad started as in terror, and his knecs al
lied under him as the colonel met his cy t. IL
, seemed in a moment 10 comprehend his ~
lsiOrtune in its whole extent. From the Fl
thcr he turned bis troubled eye on Monica, b,
id u convulsiye hold on the stem Of an alder ~
AZ grow by, and leaned bis head and br
ouldcr against il, Monica understood What hI
wac suifhrug; she threw her arms aro0nd
neck gently Htted his bead FROM the tee, ge
d, for Ihe fret time in ber life pressed a III
owing Kiss upon his forehead, while the LOT
aTs tnckied down his cheeks. IL
i Jan! JAM" she cried, my kind brother,
Mt do 50! Pil como and see you again" so
This evidence of her Itfecrion Somewhat be
peased the youths grief. lie looked upon mt
r with more quiet sorrow, she SIN with IL
3 arm round his neck till the colcneps
ival checked the threatened outpouring Of til
sir mutual feelings. He saw in all this no. loo
ng but the attachment of two children who
/ grown up together, and smiled kindly up TIRE
them. Coming up, he took the lad by the
1d. 10
Jan van Dael," be said, 1T thank you for tee
the kindness you have shown my child. If du
.r you in want of protector, my son, by
shall find one in me. We are now going tb
mol. Don't be eorTy for your sister Mo-
as good fortune: that would not be right yoI
7ou' Come soon as You can and see US is
Moll, at the Eagle; there we spend tbs
le time together. Meanwhile, l must make uu
a little-..n by
nd with these words he slipped several of
d pieces into JAMS hand, who, however, der
,ead of thanking him, rather cast on him tel
evil eye, and did not even seem conscious shO
What had occurred. ''
Come along, Monica continued the colo knt
r