Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-04-20
Here, Padre-Master Malcolm mean

else. There was packet marked IN
Evans school-boy hand. ''Letters from
Assunta." There was a childs india
rubber ring: and quite in the back, a roll
of ribbon, the knot of which was care
fully sealed A bunch of labels were
fastened to the seal. The Minister took
them and read them one by one.
'Attested copy of marriage certificate,
taken from half-burAt register, after
the burning of st. Agnes" The next
"Baptismal certificate of Margaret
Grselda.' Both were dated. The third
simply-''My will"
''What does this mean?" said the
Minister. ''In what church were you
married."
I'm the Roman Catholic Chapel at
Strathochie, which was burnt down last
year"
'And the registers were destroyed.
Is the clergyman who married you to be
found?"
"Alas, mop answered Assunta, the
tears streaming from her eyes; she died
about a month after the baptism of the
child. He was dear friend to me-"
''Who were the witnesses of the cere-
mony. my dear chld?"
'MY father
DCdu dlSOs OlIO illlooOA
land who else'"
THE sacrstan of St. Agnes has
left Strathochie now"
The Minister looked very grave.
What would you have me to do?" he
said; 'shall I open these papers and
make an examination of them? l will
act according to your wishes"
emo" answered Assunta. "When
Fwan mt tbarn thnra ha said thew ware
meant for his mothers hands. I would
rather that no one but Lady Grisel
should break the SEAL Do you believe
MY story, Master Malcolm?" she cried,
suddenly "You do believe me? Will
help me?"
II dol believe it all. The young
laird was very dear to me, he said, pass
ing his hand across his eyes; Il never
knew him to deceive man, women, or
chid-the only gift he inherited from
my Lady Grisel but, alas! this has been
mad concealment. Do not fear, I be-
lieve you my child" and he laid his hand
on the young widows shoulder, and
therewiths heaved deep sigh. Was not
Presby terrain nature woetul at this Pap
ist alliance?
Assunta cared not for the sigh; she
impulsively kissed the hand of the Min
lister, who withdrew it hastily.
"We must give these papars to Lady
GriseI," he shid. 'You shall accom-
pany me to Dunmonaigh tomorrow,
that she may open them in our presence
with all formalty."
''To-morrow!' so soon! cried Assurta,
shrinking.
1T should be done at once; meantime,
for safety, they had best be left in my
drawer; that is but feeble guard for so
precious packet" he said, looking at
poor Assunta's little leather desk.
cit will be safer there" she answered,
looking at the strong wooden table; and
she returned upstairs to her little child.
her one comfort and help in this dark
hour of her life.
The Minister sat by his table, with his
head leaning on his hand, wrapped in
melancholy thought. The drawer was
open, and as his eyes fell on the packet
he sighed more heavily than ever, 1T
will be terrible blow ito Lady Grisel,"
he reflected. ''It will almost crush her
for cannot doubt this story
He sat thus when the door opened, and
Kerenhappuch announced "Mr. Angus,
Minister,'' and Angus Macmonach
walked in. His look was so disturbed,
and his face so pale, that Master NAL
colin did not notice his omission of Gus
tomary salutation. He sat down, and
rushed with painful eagerness into the
subject Of his visit.
well. Mr.. Malcom," he said, this
story is all lie, is it not? Is the girl
still here? You shall be no loser by your
charity. we will do what we can to
help her"
Hold" said the Minister, gravely;
''this is a graver matter than you wot
Of / believe in her story"
"Pshaw", said Angus impatently.
"What means have you of knowing?"
but l have papers by me-"
Papers, cried Angus, eagerly.
'They are not proofs?"
They are here" said the Minister,
and he proceeded to re ad the labels
aloud.
"Give me that packet have right
to open and examine it."
Not So" said Minister Malcolm, re-
placing the packet in the drawer and
turning the key. ''But no one may
touch them bat Lady Grisel, your
mother, and that in the presece of Mis-
tress Macmonach and myself"
Then Angus swore violent oath; the
Minister'S face grew pale with dis
pleasure.
ANGUS Macmonach." he said, ''no
evil words will undo what is DONE"
Angus flung himself into chair.
'Would the girl hear of compro-
miSe?" he asked.
"You must not suggest it while the
matter is still uncertain; that were the
worst course you could take"
Would to Heaven that it were uncer-
tain!" said Angus. and ere the words left
his lips, he repented OF them; again he
paced up and down. The Minister be-
gan to wonder where this would end.
when, unwittinglY of who was within,
Assunta entered the room.
Seeing Agnes, she stood still, clasping
her child. her large eyes fixed upon him,
and in her whole manner and mien were
a DIGNITY and innate nOblaneSS for which