The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-05-13
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
snw ORLEANS, SUBWAY MAY 10 1877.

Fanny thought that she had pevcr seen any
thing so beautiful as her cousin's bnshed ana
anxious face as she had Left the breakfast
room, beauty had long since Lost its iphnence
over MT. Colqnhoun. IL Was not anything sue
said; for after a stiff aokno wledgmeht OF his
obseuuicus saint tion she remained perfectly
ailent waiting n hun to unfold the OH eet OF
his visit. Perhaps the disturb bling influence
lay in her large. innocent earnest eyes; LOT
certain it ii, after once encounterlnK her
glance, his own eyes fell, never again to be
raised during the conference higher than the
hat he held in his hand
1t was by no means in his favor that Mt the
worry ret glance Maude recognized him az the
man w no had so annoyed her at The STATION
by his insolent and overbearipg manner 10 tue
we'll meaning but somew has blund,r ring Jerry
Having placed chairs for the lady ann MT
Neville Cola ahoan resuI ned bis ON IN seat, ana
etroye to rally his ordinary ooOiness ana conn
denoe; but in vain. Every pretty speech he
had prepared fell Fl At, every compliment ne NJ
tered Gas he after " ards ex pressed it made MN
look like fool. He tried every topco OF con-
versation, from Irish scenery to London lions;
but though Mr.. Neville did his best to help
him, the more he strovs TO interest me hiece'
the more bored aud languid she looked. As a
last resource. he spoke Of the estate, subject
shat sffsctuaily reused Msnde from her apathy;
but his success brought with 1t but ittle con
ISOLATION, for the remarks she made and the
questions she asked showed so much OF her
fathers aptitude for business, that the agent
Snrned almost sick with apprehension; and
when, mt the conclusion of the interview, be
veptured to express hope that 1t might be
his destiny always to guard Mas kevtlls 3 Ia. .
tsreets rs he had guarded them hitherto,
though he oould not have said why, mis- voice
quivered with perturbation.
At the end Of about twenty minutes he rose
from his chair tired of his visit, and, declining
Mr.. Neviile's invitation to partske of some
luncheon, took his leave. Again his immscu-
late teeth cleaned on Mande at parting; but q
very angry spot burned on his cheek as he
CROSSED the Il slds towards the farmhouse at
which he lodged when at Baliycross.
al shall not allow chit OF girl ike that
to thwart me-" he mntterrd, as he opened the
wicket, and kicked dog that lay asleep on
she footpatb.
A visitor Of n very different stamp from Mr.
Colquhoun entered the honse as b." qnltted It
This was no other than old Mrs Baton, who
could hardly realize her happiness AS she
clasped her young mistress, ber darling OF
other days, to her heart. They had so Huch 10
say and talk about, that they were quite as
tonished when the luncheon bell rang and
warned them that it was one O'Clock, and that
Mrs. Barton's old orouies, the housekeeper
and Joseph, were waiting dinner for her in the
swell, and what does Mrs. Barton say to
her "baby"f' asked Mr.. Neville, Is he threw
himself into a chair between the girls after
hair. was she pleased to see her ?"
"Indeed she was, dear nnoe and said every
thing loving and kind" replied Msude.
"onIy imagine, uncle, how disappointed abe
must have been yesterday when We did not 60
She says she had fires lighted in every room
for rs, and that the sight of them reminded
00e 50 muCn OF Oiu times, ipAC having HO
ching else to do. sue cried over them bes,
part of the afternoon.
"Poor old soul!' cried Mr.. Neville. "Wel
Naudie, she has taken great care Of every.
made mnch fewer ravages than might have
been OK pected. l. have NO doubt IL formed
she had taken the pinsfores off the ohaira
and tabiee for nothing. She told you al
Sbout the dinner-party next Monday, sup
poeeT
she told me any news for l have heard of no
thipg else from everybody ever since my
arrival"
"Do you know the origin of this same lin
er-psrty, Maudief" he asked looking rather
sadly into her laughing eyes.
"Eo, dear nncle; but suppose 1t originated
10 most dinner parties do, III "A love Of good
cheer and good company"
Mr.. Neville sighed.
~ can zee you have heard thing about
1t, 60 must tell yon that. from time immeuio
rial, it has been o custom for tho master OF
Neville Cont to give an entertainment to ME
tenantry on ST. PAtriok's Day. To this your
friends the evening before; and your father
who had the greatest possible veneration for
old institu tioBs, made IL a great point to keep
mp both. 1t was not, nor is not, altogether An
easy matter, let me tell you, to manage the
-dlnner-party. st. Patrck's day always falls
in Lent ; aud although We are IN the midst oil
lakes, and at q very reasonable distance from
tho sea, hsh is by no mears always easy to Oh
tain. Yet obtained it must be, since q certain
proportion Of the guests have always beer
Catholics; and although it may chance to b'
ono of their jours 9ras, 40 We never know 70,
certain, it is better to on the safe side, ant
get plenty of fish, even though we have &
send to Dublin for it. But now must tell yol
how it happens that Neville Court (Which i
otherwise shut up all the year round) comes T.
he opened for this one entertainment and VIII
/, tho rector of Ballyoross, preside at it. Ftor
tho time that your poor father saceeeded t
the estate to the day of his qnitting IRELAND
he never once failed to give THE dinner part
with due form and ceremony; and at his d.
parture he expressed very earnest wish tha
should continue to issue invitations, an
preside in his stead, until his return smougt
us. From that time, Maudie, my child, mt
now, with the exception of two years ouly,
have continued to do rs he wished. Que
ths occasions upon which l failed was 1t
year he died, the second WAS last ear" at
his voice tTembled he spoke. 'On eAC
other anniversary l have been ut my post
and although it has often been with hei,N
heart, j have stiIl felt kind of mournf
satisfaction ia taking his place aud acting h
part. As TO tho tenants feast, your moth
Was 80 completely the soul aud mover If hg
that at her departure were obliged to Ii
anAi haan l,,spp A. gty,r