The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1878-01-13

understand IL. For loug time believed 4
an eternal sleep. Now / wish TO, but caDnof
Oh u could but saateh one hosr Of Tranquil
sleepr
BE uttered these list words with an sccen
of heart-rendipg despair, and suoh abaorbir
bitterness that he lost sight OF everything
else.
Blanche ventured to say: "It is the privs
tion of your natural rest, monsieur, tha
! sbrouds the fotRre in suOh gloomy ooiors. Ont
night of trarqoiI sleep would dissipate thes'
sad tbonghts."
{" Well" replied he. sis it not your God who
refuses me sieepf His vengeance is upon me
Ny torment has begunl Not hair Of my
head can change color without his permission
they tell me. They say this is in his word
consequently do Tot sleep merely because hi
he has decreed that shah not"
There is such decree of God rs that.
said Nine. Duyal. "You rtfdse to believe il
the truths that would really benefit you, bu
give credit to tie dreams of your own crea
tion."
".And tho worm that never dies, the flames
that never cease to burn are they dreaml
tool"
Adhemar made o sig for Blanche to retire.
Leaving the room, she proAtrated hersel
be fore the crnciAx, aid offered up to God al
her own earthly happiness for the conversion
Of this miserable creature.
Adhemar. left alone with his brother-in-law
regarded him come moments in silence then
taking in his own the emsciated hand Of thit
unfortunate being, he said:
D'Hsroourt, perhaps I shall precede you o.
the tribunal of the Sovereign Judge. Will you
deprive me, at the point of death, of the only
consolation / AJAX of you as q friend and
brother3"
For some inmates d'Haroourt made no reply
but, Adhemar patiently awaiting his ans~er
he said at last in q voice choked with emotion
"Can believe that You really feel SO much
interest in person whom you have had such
good reason to cursef"
"oh if you could read my heart" replied
Adhemar, lyon would see that in spite of the
bonds of affection attaching me to earth, / au
willing to offer my life for your eternal happi
ness! D'Hsrcourt. would never have spoken
to you of the wrongs You have done myself
and family, but since you have mentioned the
subject, let me tell you, ut this solemn moment
that all is forgiven aud forgotten o my
brother, if feeble creature whom you believe
giou the most powerful motive for loving and
blessing you, what cannot you expect from the
author of this holy religion, who has given his
blood and life for your eternal salvation 7"
"AiWsyo eternity" interrupted d'Harcourt,
convulsively enatchipg away his hands from
Adhemar, "oh! that word fills me with horror
Your prayers, your applications for me are all
in vain Yes, feel that there is an eternity,
for l have begun already TO reaize its tor
nents. An Unsuitable thirst devours me. it
consumes my entrsi!s; cry aloud for the dis
solution of my being. He'll can have no greater
horrors than such life"
There is still time to save youreelf-one
word of repentance"
"Repentarcei 1t has been long time since
/ have felt even remOEs6T
"God wishes to save you. He places yoar
fate In your own hands"
1T eonld not be placed in worse hands, u
replied d'Harooart. with a sardonic laugh.
hemar to cali some one to his assistance.
Before separating, Adhemar spoke q few
more words of brotherly affection; but no.
thing seemed to make any impression upon
for despair in everything that was said to en-
courage his hopes. His heart appeared dead
to the most to0ching Impressions of divine
mercy, whilst his soul dwelt in terror upon the
idea of eterns dsmnstion.
Having rested little after this exertiou,
Adhemsr conversed tenderly with his wife
upon the happiness of another life, and the
pecets ity of placing our affections on high.
He really needed this conversation as "a solsce
for the sad emotions excited by the interview
with d'Hsrconrt.
Valfort now arrived, end the surgeons who
were to gerform the operation. Mesdames Du-
val and CLAIMANT led Blanche out of the room,
for, almost ill from exoitemeut, she needed at
tention we'll rs the patient. In a short time
some one came to announce that the operation
was happily over, and the second ball extract
ed from the wound.
Blanche returned to Der husband and passed
twenty four hours of the most cruel suspense
for after the operation Adheuar seemed almosi
devoid of life. The doctor had left q potion, g
few drops of which were occasionally to be
given the patient. This sustained his flicker.
lug life; but for several days he remained in
ally began to gain strength. and one day, te
the great joy of all his friends, the doctor pro
nounced him entirely out Of danger.
Adhemar, who had SO confidently expected
to die, could scarcely believe it, Il must eer
tanly be dreaming" said he.
Are you sorry to be restored to life .icd re
sent to live for me; God has restored you t.
my prayers; he knew how much needed {
guide. q counsellor. You were prepared Il
die. God has recalled you to life; esteem 1T a
a new gift from Heaven. Let us seek to glorif!
God together and let rs express our gratitud
| for him by doing all We can for the good o
| others."
"Amiabte preooaer +" said he, "you hav
| quite Eeconciied me to life; bot that were
| very easv task"
Nine. Daval, entering Just ut that instant
mingled her thanksgivipgs and tears of jo
| vath theirs. Adhemar enquired for his brother
| in-la0.
| "He sleeps at last" abe said.
| "Wbati is he dead 2"
| "He has been dead about an hour, and
have reason to believe that he has made b
peace with God"
$50, my dear amt, your efforts have bee
crowned with success. How rejoiced 1 am
cynnd newAlO