The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-11-25
Continued from page 81
ST. ANTHONY'S MESSENGER.

breaking his back. The Marquis, who
worshiped his father, was in terrible
grief over the accident, all the more
so that the old man, though perfectly
conscious, was so paralyzed by his
injuries that he could neither move
nor speak. The priest had been has
tily summoned and had given him all
the sacraments, but after that his
distressing efforts to speak were
heartrending in the extreme. The
Marquis knew we'll enough what his
father wanted to tell him, and bending
over him tried to held him out by
question and surmise. 4
cit is the hiding-place you wish to
tell me?"
The pleading eyes answered Eyes"
Then the Marquis mentioned every
possible place he could think of, but
at each suggestion his fathers despair
ing look answered in the negative.
Again and again they tried to guess
his secret, to calm and comfort him
with assurances that they would find
out in time, but still his eyes entreated
them to ask again, and again!
Death was fast stealing over the
old Duke, his breath came in long
drawn gasps, the cold sweat stood on
his brow! Despairingly he made a
supreme effort to raise himself, to
speak a heartrending groan
came from his lips, and with a last
agonized glance at his son he fell
back dead, carrying with him to the
grave the secret of the hiding-place!
1 The whole family was inconsolable,
for the Duke had always been de-
votedly loved by all. Besides their
personal sorrow, the Marquis and his
wife were also terribly distressed and
anxious over the Dukes secret, espe-
cially as the Prince had just sent a
messenger to ask for the papers.
In vain they searched in every pos
sible and impossible place, taking
down tapestries and pictures, turning
out every drawer, emptying cupboards
and lumber rooms, and even knocking
down parts of the wall in the Dukes
room and study. Yolande, who had
been taken into her parents conf
dence, tried to cheer them, assuring
them that she would pray to st. An
thony and that he would surely help
them to find the papers.
She was now a beautiful graceful
girl, tall and slight, with charming
features, a delicate complexion, soft
brown eyes. and beautiful auburn hair
just touched with gold. Very tender
hearted and pious, she was moreover
and artist and poet at heart, so that
the beauties of nature filled her soul
with a rapture which no worldly pleas
ure could give her. She loved to
wander all over the old chateau, and
dream of the time of chivalry, when
it was inhabited by knights and their
ladies, and had a special love for a
room in the high turret from which
on all sides, one had perfectly glori-
Gus view down the almost precipitous
mountain side to the valley lying far
below, with the river winding through
it like blue and silver ribbon. Far
beyond, on the other side of it, rose
chain upon chain of snow-capped
mountains, seeming now close at hand
now distant and mysterious, now deep
blue and purple, now tinted with rose
, color and gold in the rising or setting
sun.
A month after the death of the Duke
all his friends and relatives were in
vited to attend Mass for the repose
, of his soul, as is the custom in France
The chateau was crowded with over
sixty guests, and Yolande, who had
to give up her room, asked permission
to go up and sleep in her beloved
turret-room. Her parents consented
on condition that her governess should
sleep in the adjoining room, as the
child's health and nerves had been sc
shaken by her grandfather's sad death
that they did not wish her to be alone
On the eve of the day appointed fol
: the Mass, the Duke and Duchess had
been greatly distressed, for they haG
received pressing message from the
Prince, beseeching them to make {
: last effort to find the papers an(
adding, eff they can not be found i
4 will be simply disastrous to me ant
= NINE" Yolande repeatedly told then
, that their search would surely be sue
cessful this time, as the next da!
would be the ninth one of a novens
she was making to St. Anthony fo
that purpose.
Long after their guests had retired
to rest, the Duke and his wife wer'
sitting up, anxiously discussing wher,
/! to search next, when suddenly, Their.
was the sound of hurried footsteps
along the corridor, and Yolande, il
her dressing-gown, with bare feet, dis
heveled hair, blanched lips and dilatet
eyes, rushed into the room, crying out
ooh, papa! Mamma! Do come up tt
my room, come and listen! There i.
somebody calling for help. Oh, it i.
horrible, horrible!"
What do you mean, child?" sait
her father rising "You hear some