The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-01
Ctc Californian.
. For HE CALEDoNIANl
CIR STINE:
STORY OF The
T. IL r. y CHI RE,EO ION
Bp Dulid Nawtborur.
For IHE CALED0NIANl

CHAPTER I.
LII one OF the poorest streets Of the oldest
and poorest part Of Paris, there stood, in
the days of the revolution, the ruins of an
old stone bni!iing, which had for manv wears
been mostly unoccupied. a few rooms had
occasionally been tenanted by some sOualid
family, to whom floorless rooms and broken
windows were no rarity, but lasterly it had
been deemed quite untenantable.
None knew when it was built .bu: some re :
memhered a tradition, that, in the ,lavs o: the
Medici. 1t had been used as prison for here
ties. 1t was separated from the neighborinS
buildings by narrow court, or yard, and this
was closed from the street by a massive iron
gate.
have said that it was considered anite un
tenantable, and, therefore, a great deal of
surprise was excited in the neiShborhood
one morning, by seeing female unlock the
great gate and issue into the street.
She paid no attention to the knot of rag
"ed women on the other side of the street
who called after her with rude shouts: but
passed rapidly along, without turning her
head. She directed her course towards the
western barrier of the city. and took the road
to Versailles. This she pursued for three or
four miles without pausing or slackenins her
speed.
The sun was intensely hot, and she was
fam: and thirsty. a spreading elm threw
an inviting shade over fountain, that was
playing m"rri!y by the wav>ilc. She cas,
her eyes along TIE dusty road then looked
wiSh;uily at the fountain, ard finally turned
aside, threw Off her tattcred bonnet. and
plunged her face into the crystal Stream-
Having refreshed herself al the fountain, She
sat down to rest.
She might once have been beau.if,l for
her features were regular. and her dark hair.
now sprink!cd with grey, hung in stra.sln O
curlS about her shoulders; but. though she.
could scarcely have seen thirty five vearScv-
cry trace of beauty had departed Her wild
black eyes were sunken. her skin swarthv
from exposure and neglect, while every ex
preston hetravei familiarity Will, vice Her
clothing, Of ;he cheapcs, material, was hung
about her person without the least appear
ance of care and her bare feet were be-.
crimmed with mire and sand.
She rcSte" -" moments. then rose and
pursued her walk When within half a
league Of Versailles, she left the great tho
roughtare. and turned into a less trcquen'c'I
read and at length paused at the gate of the
convent of ST. Marie. 1t was lovely. qniet
spot and seemed .:"ir.- retreat FOR .ho,..
who had grown weary of the noise and bus
tie Of the world
She passed through the gate, crossed an o.
pen cour;, AID knorked at the door of en-
trance. Directly sliding shutter was drawn
back. and the face of the FORTRESS appeared
hehind Tie g,ate
"What is thy wish ?" asked the nun.
81 would see Christine" answered the Wis
itor.
The nun disappeared, but soon returned
with Ia Se"r >uPerieue. a short co!loquv
cnsucd, wien the heavy bolt was drawn. and
the door opened The woman followed the
rapid steps OF the nun throu.ha long stone
passage, which terminated in small parlor
scantily furnished, and lighted by windows
strongly grated. La !S,u' rang a bell, which
was answered by nun, bringing plate of
fruit and cup Of wine. These the visitor
eagerly accepted. Some directions were Civ
tn, IN low tone, as the nun left the room-
In few moments, curtain, which closed a
grated window at the farther end OF the A.
partment, was drawn aside and view open
, ed on the sight. which. contrasted with the
, prson-like aspect of the room, seemed a Wis
ion Of Paradise
! An extensive garden, ornamcntcd will
, flowers Of every form and hue, lent its fra
> GRANGE to the air which found it's way thro
> the iron grating. Long rows of trees, wind
{ ing alleys bordcred with roses, vinc.coveree
arbors, and fountains sparkling in the sun
e shine, united their beauties to delight thu
e bcholder.
Nuns. clad in the habit of their order
e were seated in the arbors, or under thu trees
] busy with their needles, and all apparcnt,,
e happy Some of them were accompanied b,
young girls, over whom thev seemed to hav.
! an especial guardianship These we're eithe,
= engaged with their books, or in learning en-
broidcry
i, In few moments, the same yelled nur
, who had just left the parlor was seen gliding
through the trees and clumps of shrubberv
towards groupin distant part of the gar
! den. She whispered something in the ea
OF one OF the sisterhood, who Instantly rose
S and beckoning to her young charge to follow
: drew nearer to the window They seatet
, themselves on bench, under a large ire,
p within short distance, and, at a cestur,
/: from the nun, the young girl resumed hel
/; studies
On their first approach, the visitor sprane
+ TO her feet, and would have rushed to the
2 window; but the Superior EXTENDED ber
hand forbiddinely, saying in gentle but firm
Tone Nay, bonne femme, thou must not an
proach the window" She obeyed mechan;
calIy, and stood Derfpctlv c.;il b.r .rr,, c,,J