The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-12

! 7
from the haste with which she had dressed
her hair. 30 that the soar of the fall she had
had in Wiesbaden, which had never been ef.
faced, became visible.
sWhat is that, m 4mmaf' asked Natalie sud.
denly 81 never cav that bstore"
Nothing, my child, that comes from q full
badD
..The sight of it pains me, know not
Il will cover it"
| "Is papa comingfI hear him; your hand,
| mamma give me your hand"
| Pale as death, and motionless, Louisa re-
maiued kneeling by tho side of the lounge,
| her hand clasping that of her daughter. She
| did not look up whom sbe heard the rustic of
her mother. in-lew's silk dress and the heavy
| tread of her husband.
| They both approached in silence.
| Natalie raised herself up, and pressed her
mothers hand closer to herself. Dear father" :"
she said, with q sweet, angelic smile, and
stretched out her band to him.
She had never smiled at him in that way
| before, and the icy crust which enveloped
| Casimir's heart gave way, melted at the single
| words spoken so touchingly.
"Nst .iie y he stammersc; "NatSlieW and he
sank on his knees by the side of Louisa. my
| poor child will you leave me Oh. forgive
me for causing the sadness of your life, and
! your early, early-
Convulsive sobs prevented the uohsppy m an
| from finishing the sentence.
| With looks of deepest sympatay Louisa
looked at father and daughter, but she said
| nothing. Timidly did Cssimir cast glance
at her, and the first thing be saw was the scar
on her forehead that for years and years had
haunted his spirit as o threatening symbol.
Father ~ continued Natalie. and she strok
ed the crown of bis head with her almost trans
parent hand. Father. let the past rest sm
going away, and would leave the earth with
Joy, If Give me your hand, father ! So Lat
me rule while"
And she placed the hands of both together
and held them enclosed in hers. Papa doa't
let mamma wander alone around the world
any more. See, shall be with you always II
Won remain together"
Exhausted, she sank back. Nothing was
audible in the apartment but Casmirs io!ioS
groaus and Louisa's gentle s0bS.
Tne Princess Dam atohins. who had looked
on rhe three for an instant with o cold hauga-
ty gazs, tnrned contemptuously away and left
the room that she might reflect on the tidings
Casirnir had brought her, and which had
blown down all the castles in the air of her
ambition.
"Do you promise ne that, f>taer :" asked
Natalie.
"Do net ask me, my child" he sighed task
your M other, whom cast off She must de-
eide. 1 AN no longer favored by fortune;
perhaps even stand condemned SHE will sure
l J east me from her now"
"Msmma. speak; is it truei Will you leave
my father again 7"
What God has joined together let DO man
put asander II he calls me to him again
dare not refuse"
"And your forehead. LouisaY"
peace, be still Why awaken such memo
riest"
Natalie. do you ask her if she will forgive
me; / dare not"
Bat before the sick ghl could speak Louisa
had thrown both arms round Casamir's neck
and with sweet force she drew him towards
"oh,n said the child, with bissfnl look,
die just at this timer
The rays of the sun were playing on tho
wavos-the visitors of the baths we're parading
ing its sweetest fragrance on the wings of the
breezs to the shore-tne bells Of toe little
church were cheerily Announcing the cslebra-
ton Of to.morrow's rites, it being Sunday. as
Natalie's aoul took flight from the earth. Her
last words longer desired longer
lite. but were fall of hope. "Adieu, till L see
yoa again, above, dear parents, one in faith,
one in love J.
Calm and composed, as she had ct sod by her
father in his dying moments, Louisa DOW stood
by the earthly remains of her only child CAST
mir, on the contrary, when o significant look
from his wife told him the painful truth, lost
all the strength which had enabled him to
keep up through the exciting scenes of the
last few days. He fell down senseless, and
tn at same evening violent brain fever set in
His mother wanted to take care Of him aud
nurse him, but he thrust her violently from
him. Get away have lost every thing
through you." he said my plAce, my name,
perhaps my honor and, besides these my child
Lodoiska Lcdoiskai" and her name came in
cessantly to his lips.
The old princess became very uneasy oon-
cerning her sons state. She sent servant to
call Louisa, bot Louisa returned for ans ~er
sue WOuiQ nOG In0 O0AQ DoQy or neC CQlIQ.
Prince Dalmatohine had attendants enough to
nurse him; she wonld remain as long as pos
sible by the remains of her daughter.
Bot Casimir's illnesS became worse so rapid
ly that the proud woman resolved on taking a
step which must have cost her great victory
over herself She descended to the apartment
where the childless mother WAS occupied in
decking the corpse with flowers aud laying it
out bed of state.
"Louisa," said tle now humbled princess,
81 do not hatter myself that q requGs5 from
Cant y ftnnY
person, but forget for moment your enmity
aud see only the mother in me. My child also
needs help, but he pushes me away, and calls
perpetnaliy for yoo perhaps you may succeed
in psoifying him. Forget ell that has passed,
Louisa and do not foisAke him now when he
is unhappy
Where is he = asked Looisa. simply, and
without speaking further to the princess she
followed her to the sick chamber. "Is my
triumph t be death in this case also ~ Louisa
asked herself anxioosly, as she sprinkled fresh
water on the glowing head of her husband and
whispered to him softly: "Casimir, be calm;
our child is with God"
=.