The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-05-19

OF the wind had died away into little ftful
gusts, Ike the worn-out sObs of q child spent
with angry crying, the cloud had lifted in the
west. showing below their black Jagged rid ges
blood. red sun sloping to its funeral pyre piled
with purple and gold. The tossed waves of
the lake caught the glow, and ran up to the
shores in crimson curves as if the anse of
water had been suddenly turned into sea of
molten jewels. The trees and battered flowers
in the garden seemed to be gathering them
selves together and lifCing up their tossed arms
and wet faces for farewell kiss of peace from
the departing SUD. 1t 10 Jked like an bOur of
recon onoiliation. The battle had been fought,
and the contending powers, storm and sun
shine, were stretching hands to each other
across the battle field. Anne felt it q good
omen, and took heart for the task that lay be-
fore her.
This place was very still and deserted, no
loupgers by the gate, no beggars airing their
rsgs on the wall, or gossoons hanging about
the back premises waiting to be sent on er-
rsnds A dull empty echo came back from the
wide hall and staircase when Anne knocked.
The maid tn at answered her summons Informed
her that Mr.Thornley was out, and Miss
Thornley, at home, but very busy. Anne did
not wait for the conclusion of the SEN ntence, she
glided past the girl, walked straight TO the
library door, and opened it herself She had
planned during her drive exactly what she
would do and say on her arrival. She meant
to walk in with outstretoned hands, take Miss
Thornley's in hers. aud speak out at once all
that in her mind without false shame or
GrUdgipg. She would confess frankly her re-
pen tance for past miscorstructions, and speak
of the strong desire that had grown mp in her
mind to undo the wrongs OF which she was
guilty towards them. There should be Il o hold
ing back; tie barriers of dislike and misuuder-
standing should be thrown down by q flood
tide of generous Impulse and goodwill. Her
purpose held good till ths door throw wn
open, and she had taken q step or two forward
iuto the room, aud then sndden revu!sion of
feeling came. qniet figure rose from behind
q writing table, heaped up with books aud
papers, and two grey eyes fixed on her face,
plainly asked the meaning of her intrusion
sno y bail aimed at Anne would hardly have
sent more sudden chill through her than the
diguified surprise expressed by those eyes The
hearty words she had med tated died on her
lips, and she gave up all Intention OF taking
Mil rhornley's friendship by storm. There
was an awkward pauss w hich the Eoglish lady
broke Fl St, makinga step forward, bat not
holding out her hand
IL am afraid there il some mistake. You
have no doubt come in to see my brother, Miss
O'Flaherty, and l am sorry to cay he is out. If
l could be of any use-but-" (glancing ex-
pressively at her letters) II am unfortunately
very much occupied at this moment"
Yes, know, and am sorry to intrude upon
you, )" cried Anne. feeling that since she had
lost courage To offer q favor the only possi6
way of ping from her dilemma wGs to beg
one but l have had a long wet drive, and
am very tired. / think must venture to ask
you to let me sit with you au hour 10 rest"
Mics Thornley, gave desP"irng GLANCE at
her writing-table, then, with q resigned air
pushed it aside, brought forward an armchair
for her visitor. and ringing the bell, ordered
coffee and fire. While these were IN the
course of preparation, che sat upright on her
seat and made conversation on Indifferent
topics with all her might. If she had drawn
circle round herself with au enchanter's wand,
she could not more eff-ctually have erected q
barrier against intimacy, which her guest was
warned not to cross
II fear l am keeping you from finishing let
ters YOU are anxious about" Anne ventureG to
observe at last, noticing how, in the intervals
of her little dry nces, Miss Thornley's eye
stole lovingly beck to her writing case.
my brothers for the Quarterly Review which
had hoped to dispatcn by to-day's post, as it
is already due ; but never mnd, it Is too late
now it can't be helped"
The tone was much more Interested than
anything that had gone before, that Anne ven
tured to take up a MS, sheet and ask fe"
questions.
The essay proved to be very Mandatory re-
view of book on Ireland which Anne happen
| ed to have read, aud particu larly disliked. She
could not refrain from stating some OF her
objections to the book in her usual eager way
Miss Thornley, defended the authors opinions
coldly at first d; then with some force, tnrnng
| to her brothers essay, and reading ont bits OF
sarcasm with evident relish, which provoked
| angry eloquepce from Anne. Argument, even
| when vehement as almost to approach a
| quarrel, was nearer step towards acquaint-
| anceship for those two than mere company
! talk. Both parties forgot to whom they were
| speaking in the interest of the question, and
put forth all their powers. Miss Thornley's
| eyes frightened, her white teeth cleaned now
|
pounced upon a very obvious contradiction in
in Annes statements, little color stole into
| her brown cheeks. Suddenly, in some far-oh
region of the house. q clock struck Anne saw
all the interest and excitement die out of the
| grey eyes instantly, and a new expression steal
| into them-a yearning anxious look that went
to her heart. They talked on, Miss Thornley,
sitting more and more upright on her high
| backed chair, and wandering further and fur
ther frcm the point of discussion in her replies
to Anne's remarks. Her whole soul had
| i2aDf flry ont in friC tn pnfN anm m
distant sound. A quarter of an hOur-half- an
honr slipped by; silence fell upon the takers
| it was impossible to keep up the farce Of con-
versation any longer.
| Miss Thornley, rose from her chair at last,
and began to pace up and down before the
| windows, peering out into the rkness, first
from one and then from the other; then, with q
muttered excuse about the closeness of the
room, raising sash, and then leaning her head
out to listen. Was this her usual way of
spending the twilight hours, Anne wondered.
Her heart began to ache for her, as she OBJ,
| served how she kept nervously clasping and
unclsspinG her fingers, as if every minute that