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

9Now, Vera, do not overpraise my country
men; or is it because you wisai to say some-
thing pleasant to mer
they all bear the stamp of aightforwardness
and of good. souud common sense. and"
Because Paul van Ky zen is DutohmanP
Immediately after abe began again TO COM
plain of her sisters too great condescensi ion in
that she never left the side OF the wearisome
sick couch Of her husband for an instant.
Casimir's illness lasted for weeks and weeks.
He lowered bet ween life and death, and when
at length the threatened danger of his life had
passed away, it seemed doubtful whether he
would retain the use of his reason. L,doiska
alone con1d master the attacks of rage and de.
spair which beset him by turns. Thus passed
several months. They had hired dwelling
near the city.
The lawsuit against the prince WAS still
pending and appeared likely TO take bad
turn. The old princess had returned to st.
Petersburg; the severe lesson she had received,
exercised a beneficial effect npon her charac-
ter. She had hesped friendly attentions on
her dsug hter in law,-who, however, returned
them with politeness bat remained cool and
dignifisd towards the woman who had been
the first occasion of her unhsppiness.
Vera spent the winter partly with the Ten
Berghe family, partly with her fdtura sister
on a visit to the young Princess D D4lmatohin ne.
By degrees the cloud on the spirit of the
Prince yielded to his improving condition of
bodily health; but Vera for some tina steadily
tering Unexpectedly the sitting room, she saw
her brother-in-law seated at the window; pale,
wasted, and his frame bent with weakness.
hs sud GiI , xey
Come in. Vera" said Lo9isa, in tho most
friendly manner. There is Cssimir. Casimir,
dou't you fl I'D her grown very tall 7"
Casimir tried to rise, but his weakness for
bade it. Moved with compassion, Vera ap-
preached and held her band.
"Forgive me, Vers,' he said, in trembling
the sorrow Ioccasioned your sister and the
bad coJduot by which l let her s1tfer go
many years, sd is too good that Hs gave
me His angel back again"
With tears in her eyes Vera assured him she
forgave him every thisg wen as Looisa forg ave-
him
"Yes, as louisa has ferg tsa' .Le ia o saint,
whom misnndsrstooI - ny own and my
child's detriment,"
.Don's you tbiak she is like her, Casi,nir 7"
asked Looisa, coming nearer AID leaning on
his chair.
Yes, she might have grown like her IL her
yonsh had known the warmth Of mothers
love-
In April, soon after the tstival of Easter,
the marriage of Paul Won Kyzen and Vera
Forinski was solemniZsd with great festivity.
The Blron and Baroness Ten Berghe honored
the young couple by their presence the oc-
casion. CAsimir and Louisa did not make
their appearance, on account of the mourning
which they still wore for their daughter, but
before the young couple started on their red.
ding trip they spent g day WITH them in the
city.
Paul looked admiringly at his sister. in la W.
whom he had once thought Of for wife, and
whom he now venerated as an ideal, who stood
far above the ordinary standard of humankind;
he way happy with his dear little wife, whom
he had known and loved from childhood up
wards.
"Are you satisfied with me71 he asked Of
Louisa. WAS faithful to the promise gave
your father ~
How can you sskf But now moro than
ever is Vera con fded to your care"
"And you will know better than did how
to watch over your treasure aud prizo it at it's
real worth" addsd Casimir.
"Oh, fe = said Louisa "let the past rest"
Tnrou III unforeseen circumstances the law
suit took turn in the right direction Csei-
mfrs cause triamphed; his enemies were de-
feAted; he was restored to his f1i ,e. and the
Emperor himself desired his return. Bat CAST
mir declined acceptance. 81 have bat one de-
SIRE" he wrote back, land that is to compen-
safe my wife for all the suffering have caused
her; this duty binds me to existence" Aud he
hung on to Louisa with almost morbid feel
ing he could scarcely bear her moment out
OF his sight; yet when he looked at her his for
mer cruelty was ever present to his thoughts.
Louisa, however, understood the art of
guiding his troubled spirit, of raising up and
and tranqoilizing his despairing soul; by her
ever constant love and indefatigable care
she convinced him at length that she thought
of the past only to remember that she had
ever dearly loved him aud had 2aworn to him
eternal fidelity. "The weather is so splendid,
Casimir,7 she said one day, "the spring invites
us ont TO enjoy the refreshing evening hour.
Will you not take walk with Paul and Vera 7"
"Yes, if you go with me-"
"Certaiply, if you wish it."
For the fret time since his sickness Casimir
left the house. Both couples took the road to
Schveningen, bat Casmir walked too slowly for
Paul and his young wife, so that these went
on before at some Ii tie distance.
Louisa. said Casimir, "Iet Us go--yon
know already-I have not heen there yet"
"Will it not affect you too much ~
"Nc. ! dream of her every night. / shall
feel easier when have knelt at her gcave."
Thea we will turn eff iu this direction; the
others will Fl I'D their OWE way"
Just then Vera looked back.
Follow Us, at a distance" Louisa signslled
to her. She well understood how muca CASH
mir wished to be alone with her at t ais his first
visit to the grave of his child
They walked together to the Catholic grave
yard, which lay still and lonely amid the
brushwood.
Louisa knew the way. Almost every morn
ing she brought fresh flowers to the little
monument. Here it is" she said, and knelt