The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-06-14

saem to hum, and leading them to Ger
aidlne said, in voice of intense emo
hon. Children, behold your mother ~
Mother, said Ernest Have I in
deed that happiness p
Sweet mother" said Edith, kneeline
;by her side, and encrcling her neck
with her arms. "Oh, my heart was
yours long since: let me console yon.
let me- comfort you, dearest mother.
Gera!dine's tears fell On the beautiful
Young face. and she pressed her lips tf,
the white brow Then, looking up, she
drew Ernest down to her, and pressed a
long Guivering kiss upon lis cheek.
Eugene regarded them in silence. the
deepest emotion being visible on his
white face.
My children, murmured Geraldine.
ARE you indeed my children
This our father tells us, dear lady,"
raid Ernest land from childhood he
has never deceived. u.s.
"Our fathcr!" said Edith sprineing
from her mothers embrace = our
father !" Lord Bowmoat have we in
decd father i'll you:"
Edith, am your father. Unworthy,
perhaps"
Unworthy" sobbed Edith, her white
arms round his neck "kindest, best OF
fathers have you been to us. How can
You be unworthy! 2
Eugene, said Geraldine, extending
her hand, whatever my wrongs, these
beloved ones plead for you let them be
forgotten. will not remember them"
Miss Leslie has come" said Mrs
Falconer, entering.
/, But she started and her face paled as
| cv, = L.
her children.
I "Yes, Mrs Falconer, "I have robbed
you of your children" said Eurene
''but you will forgive me?"
Forgive, my lordl" said Mrs. Fall
coner. "You have loaded me with
benefits /; surely have nothing to for
give"
Il cannot thank you, said Geraldine,
pressing her hand Your own mothers
heart can Judge of my gratitude"
Poor Edward, said Ernest 81 fear
he will grieve to lose his darling sister,
and little for his brother"
Let me tell him." said Edith, her
beautiful face beaming "oh, let me
tell him"
.'Do so, darling" said Geraldine.
He deserves for his mothers sake your
thoughtfulness.
Edward was wrapped in distracting
thought, when light touch reused
!, him
/ He started and turned 4owards Edith.
who had, unperceived, approached him.
Edward. dear,' she said, "you do
love me?"
"Love you!"
The look, the tone expressed all he
| felt, yet feared to name.
Il have something to tell You. Ed
ward, dear, that may make o difference
in your love for me.
Edith, leave me, darling. 1 cannot
hear you now. Go in. am not master
OF myself to-day. would not be tin
kind, but | cannot bear this agony. Pray
leave me-"
mot till have told you what I came
to say, my once dear brother"
Brother! I cannot be your brother |.
Oh, Edith, I implore you to leave me ="
Edward, dear, she said, laying her
hand upon his arm, ''be calm and
listen"
II cannot be calm! will not listen!
Take your hand from me, Edith. You
Will drive me mad!
"Oh, Edward dearest, do not send
me away, for I love you'll
You love me, know. Do not
wiring this secret from my heart, Edith.
or you will hate me!''
"No, never, though You are not my
brother!''
mot your brother2" he faltered
"No, dearest, " she said my father
has but now claimed me as his child 1
have felt q mothers kiss; but it was not
your mothers"
Tears that would not be controlled
forced themselves down his bearded
cheek
Edith, do not understand, he said,
but come to me-cOme to me, darling
of my heart star of my existence It is
not . crime to love thee. Let me hold
Bluahing deeply, Edith timidly yielded
| to his embrace, and his strong arms
| closed round her delicate form as if he
never would let her go, and he covered
| the sweet face with kisses until she was
| almost sutfocated, and when at length
he did release her he looked as If he
would like to begin again.
Half-crying, half-laughing, and blush
ing over face and neck, Edith breath
lessly declared she wouldn't come near
him FOR week, and was fastening from
his side when he drew her back.
Not yet, darling-not just yet. 1 have
so much to say and first tell me, sweet
Edith. can you love me do you think
you can love me2 Not as q brother, he
added, with a shudder.
.'Ah, Edward, you were sure of your
answer before you asked"
But sisters love is SO calm, SO cold
to what my exacting affection would re-
quire. / have suffered more-far more
than you can imagine"
Il can imagine, dearest, for ], too,
have suffered she said, gently.
Is it 80, darlingl" he said, gazing
into her eyes Let us 60 in pet. that /
may hear. the happy news from other