Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-07-27
StIrttrA.
SsIrttrA.
From the True Flag.
LUCILLE, THE CAPTIVE:
A NUNNERY IN AMERICA
CIIAPTE |.
BT EMMA cARRA.

How drcary and sad is my 10, The
atmosphere OF moral desola,,on which
surrounds me depresses my spirits, aud
my near, has become prey 10 torture
more dreadful than death. Must for.
ever dwell III one uhbroken night, Will
every though, and al! knowledge OF my
brain be barred with me IN the sealed
vaults OF my prison, God forbid :"
A gentle rap a, her chamber door
aroused Lucille from her revefic, and
ielsning look Of chee'iulness. she
drew back the heavy bolt and admitted
rne who, by hls familiar ait, appeared
to b. no stranger
''ilaH said thy prayers ,Lis morning
daughter p
II haee.' replied the maiden, while
her eyes avoided the scrutiny OF her M
tefrogatnr. For moment he gazed up.
~ her, IN yain awaiting other words. aud
taen saiu addressed her -
Daughter, wall yoa confess to me to-
dag' It's for this have caIIe.l, aad |
woald not tell the Lady AbbeSs you re-
fased -
'No, to-day. Father Burton.'
NO, to-day. Have you NJ, aItead y
l5r several days refused IN tins manner
Why this obs,inacy Think yoa my
patience will endure forever, that thus
YOU triae with the time that should he
devoted TO God ,''
Should be :" said Lucille, and lor the
first time SINCE hts entrance, their eyes
met. The young priest bit his lips, and
his blood mounted 10 the surface tfli the
veins in his forehead we're swollen al
most 10 bursting. For few moments
he spoke nnl. but gradualiy became calm
a assuming more familiar ar. he APP
preached the g,rl. and taking her hand.
said IN accents low and musical;
Lucille, | would not be aus,ere, bu,
my duties are arduous; mus, devote
all my energies - our Holy Mother
Church"
Better devote them to God, replied
the young s,ri, her l'p quiver'ng and her
whole frame becoming convuised; but
the priest gave no heed TO her words, and
continued
Il know what circumstances have ln-
huenced your youth, and therefore ex.
pect no, that devotion from you which
we could have done. had yoaf childhood
been passed among the true and p,ous OF
our holy church. Hereafter be True 10
us. and submit cheertully to the laws OF
our convent. AID no Que clustered wdh.
in these walls shall speak unkindly to
YOU"
III would escape the lash" said Lu-
ellie. rega,ning her composure." Il must
obey. But leave me now, Father Bur.
ton ; tomorrow | will see you again,
aud our interview then Will be more sat
isiac:ory; until which time ! wish TO be
alone"
A moment more, and the wish OF Lu.
c,Ila was gratihed. She was alone with
her books aud reflections. Ia the for
mer she Could hnd solace. but III the lat
ter there was ii,,le 10 cheer her. When
the priest had closed the door oil Luc'l.
les room, he ascended narrow fight OF
stairs, from which every ray OF sunligh.
was excluded, aud its stead dim light
glmmered serving merely TO render the
darkness of the place more visible. Ere
he reached the top, he was met by a
Young girl. who drew herself into the
smalles, possible space TO let h'mp pass.
"Why so shy. Lizzy. Tor rather Cath
crime, for that name you renounced on
abandoning the wicked world j surely
you are not afraid OF me, that you seek
TO let me pass unno,iced!"
No" said the g,rl blushing, but
though. the priests did not like the girls /;
so have always been told. and believe
i, Is true. or else ,hey would not shu.
themselves up in lhis-'
What has been told you is false, sis.
ter: true. We are not permitted to marry,
but we can love, for God commands US
10 love one another" and he gently en-
c,rcled her waist, and lmpfin,ing kiss
On her lips, passed on. Catherine inyol'
unfairly crossed herself; still it was a
priest who had done it. and he could moi
do wrong. Ten minutes later. Father
Burton was tete-a-tete with the Lady Alb
bess. His brow was flushed and hi,
mein excited.
al ELo nar ,o, ~ s.,J h., ~ tell yn,