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

gtill half dreaming, tho sleeper slowly
opened her eyes aud, the moment she had
perceived who had awakened Der, che sprans
into her fathers arms with bound, and, hang
Ing rosnd his neck, overwhelmed him with
Ageations and kisses. :;
Vlierbeck gently olsen red himself from his
daughters embrace, as he remarked, In tona
aIs seens altogether unnecessary, Lenors, to
inqure what new beauties You have discovered
in Vonders 'Lucifer.' Ysu have not had time,
between this masterpiece of onr native tongue
and Millions Paradise Lost y"
"Ahi father" murmnred Lenora, my nind
a. indeed strangely troubled. do not know
what 10 the matter with me; / cannot even
read with attention"
"Come, Lenora, my child. don't be sad. Sit
down: have something of Importance to tell
you. You do not know why L went to town
to-day. do yous 1t is because We are TO have
company to dinner to. morrowW
Lenora gassd at her father with an earnest
and questioning look. aB.
IL 10 Monsieur Denecker," continued he,
" tho wealthy merchant, you know, who sits
near mo ct church and lives at the ehatedu OF
Eehelpoel."
aOb. yes I remember BIN, father; he always
eneaks TO me go kindly, and never fails to help
me from the carriage when We 60 to church"
"But your eyes ask. i see, Lenora. whether he
10 coming alone. Another Person will accompany
him. my grill
tarily and biushiDg.
"Exaotly! GdstAve will be hore,' replied
Monsieur De VIierbeck. "Don'G tremble gu
that scoount, Lepora; and don't become
frightened because your innocent heart may
find itself opening to the dawn of new sensa-
tione. Between us, my child, there can be no
secret that my love will not discover"
His daughters eyes looked iDquringly into
his own, rs IL asking an explanation of the
enigma. But all of q sudden, as if q ray had
darted Unexpectedly into her sonl, she threw |
her arms around the old mans neck and hid
her face in his bosom.
"Oh, father beloved father" murmured she, |
" your kindness 10 unboundedW 70
For some moments tho old gentleman did not |
put aside the affeotionate oarssses of his child;
But by degrees his OK preston became gloomy;
tears starred into his eyes, and he said, in
broken tones:
s "Leuora, whatever may happen to rs in life, |
theu wilt alwsys love thy father thus, wilt
thOn notW
2" Always, fether, alwaysp
Lenora, my ohild,' continued he, with
sigh, "thy tender affection 10 my only recon-
penae and happiness here below: never deprive
my soul Of It's consolation J"
The sad tone in which these words were ut
tored tonohed the mAiden's heart 90 deeply that |
she took her fAther'a hands, without saying q |
syllable, and wept In silence with her head in |
his bosom.
For long time they remained thus motion
Less, absorbed by feeling which was neither
10y NOR eorrow, but seemed to aeq uire it's power
and mastery BY the mingling of these opposite
Monsieur Do vlierbeok's expression was the
laret to change. His features became severe as
he bent his head down ward reprosoh fully. In
ruth, the strange words that started the tears
INTO his daughter's eyes had excited the refiec-
eton in his own mind that another person was,
perhaps, Rbont to share bis Lenora's love and
probably to separate him from her forever Hs
vas ready for every sacrifice, were it even
greater, provided it contribu ted to |
he happiness of his child yet the very idea of
separation caused his heart to bleed at every
pore. By degrees he stihsd this selfish anxiety,
And, striving TO control himself, raised his
daughter with kiss
"Come Lenora" said he, "be gay aRainl
len'tit happy thing that our hearts can some
lames get into the shade sfter they have been
zoo much IN the sunshine Let US 20 into the
house. We have many arrangements to make
N order TO receive our guests becominEly."
Lenora obeyed her father in silence, and fol-
Owed him slowly, while the tears still dropped
rom her beautiful eyes.
Some hours after ward Monsieur De Vlierheok
R1ght have been seen seated in the principal
lAloon OF Grinselhof hear O little lamp, with
ais etbows on the table, The apartment was
lark and dreary, for the feeble rushliEht illu-
but Single spot and oAst the distant
md lofty ceiling into vague ObSourity. The
ASme throw long and sombre shadowe
'ver the we'll, while Q line of old portraits
n the panels seemed 20 fix their stern and i'm
eyes on the table. Amid the gloom
loshing cAme out with distinctness but the
,alm aud noble face Of the poor old gentleman,
vac bat Snere1 aosor bed In his reflections, fxed
70 statae.
At length, rising from his chair and cau.
ioualy walking on tiPtoe to the end of the
Dom, he stopped and listened at the closed
looE. She sleeps" said he In o low voice
mo- raising bis eyes to heaven, added with n
iga, may God protect her restp Then re-
urning TO the table, he took the lamp, and.
opening large safe which was imbedded in
ne wall, he went down on his knees and drew
orth come napkins and table cloth, which he
lnXolded carefully to see whether thew were !
oen or stained. As he refOlded the srtioles !
sAe after the other, . smile betoksued thar he ;
YEA pleased with his examination RiHinS
rom this task, he went back to tho table. from 7
ne drawer of which he took q piece of bno[ :
kin and whiting. MASKING the latter with :
Lnite- handle, he began to rub aud polish sew :
'rAl silver forks aud spoons which were in n :
basket. The sAlt cellars and other email arti :
acs Of table-serVice, which were mostly of the ;
anne metal, were all subjected to q similar !
'rooese, and Soon glittered brightly in the
eebls lamplight.
while be wss engaged in this strange work.
no sont OF the poor old man was busy with a ,
thousand conflicting thoughts aud recolleo ,
iona. he wAs constantly muttering to him.
olfi and many atear escaped from his lids "a !
10 dreamed over the past aud repeated the ,
Iames Of the loved and losti
Poor brOtherP calculated he; "but one
ann RionA in tha world knoUa 7 - |