The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-08

CdTcSS
it, while the head is raised. in the attitude of
striking the hand with its fangs."
Every significant. Thou shouldst have
worn it myself. Bertie."
"Thou art merry tonight. Marat."
"Ay, merry work have before me-
Let me have some wine now, and then must
away"
lie poured out glass after glass, which he
drained at draught, till the bottle vas emp
ty; and then, his brain heated with vine
and excitement. he went to join the mob.
All was hushed and quiet within the walls
of st Marie. The vesper hour had passed.
and the nuns and their pensonnaires. or
scholars. had retired the latter TO the large
dormitories, the former to their narrow cells.
Most Of them had performed the simple d.
ties Of the day cheerfully. and aser telling
their beads. had lain quietly down on their
hard beds. and slept soundIy.
But there was one cell whose inmates still
walked. 1t had two occupants, though. save
the large dormitories for the Young girls. !,
was tie only sleeping apartment that had
more than solitary lcdger. The little Chris
tine hal been sent TO the convent At a very
early age. and placed under the guardianship
Of Sister Crsule. During the first years Of
her convent life. the tender age and delicate
healsh Of the child induced the Superior tc
depart a little from the Usual order Of the es
enlistment, and allow Sister Crsule to place
Chr;ssine's bed in her own cell, that she
might bp constantly under her watchful care
This arrangement had been the very sun
'igh, Of Crsulc's life It was 20 sweet 70 sit
Wv the little bed and listen to the simple
rrattle Of the cl i'd or to feel the soft arm.
round her neck, and the good d-night kisses on
her cheek.
Little Christine loved the guardian sister
with her whole heart. The convent was he,
world. and Crsnlr the only being in il to
whom she could talk freely. She filled the
place Of mother, sister. and friend. True
she like'l the scholars. and enioved the sport.
in the garden. with which they were INDUCED
hnt the call to study or work was alwavs vel
''omr. for then she ronld sit down by her tes
friend. who alwavs smiled upon her So .wee,
". or spoke TO her so gently But the brs
Of all. was when the signal was given for re
firing. When they were alone together. che
"onld give way to all her native gaicty. with
on, fear Of reproof; or she would sit in Cr
>u'e's lap. her feet snuclv wrapped in he,
snowy night robe. he~ arms round CrsnIp'.
neck. and her head nestled close in her ho
som. and listen to the stories. Of which tht
memory Of her guardian seemed to Weld ar
rxhaustlrss store. When her ey-lids hccar
to droop and her arms relaxed their hold
she was laid gently upon the bed. and yer,
soon her quiet breathing told Of childhood'
blessed sleep.
Christine little dreamed that the strong
love which existed between :hem. was III.
cause Of long hours Of prnance to Si>te,
Cr>ulp. who wore ,he black vpi'-a sign tha
she was dead to the world and welded 10 hcr
God Poor trsuIe what was human Low,
TO her? Even the warnings Of her hcar
over her vounc charge she conn.rd As sin
for they relieved the au>tcritv Of lite whrl
her vows impo>r,l upon her: and she KEEP
weary vi,ils 10 cxpiate the crimes whirh sh,
cond not bring her her heart 70 rpnonncc-
Sometimes. hv fasting she inflicted sutIerin.
on ."-r> II. arI sometimes bv watchin. an,
PRAYER; often neeliny the whole ni.lt oI
the cold stone floor. counting her bea s, ant
repeating her Ave M,rias
But Christine had now arrived at an az
when It was though. unnecessary to continn
the indulgence of her desire to remain witt
Ursulc. and the latter lad that day received
an order from the Superior to remove Chris
tines bed the newt day to the dormitories Of
the prnsionna'r"s.
| When told that it was the last night the,
could s;rend together, the child bu st into
passion OF tears, and throwing her arms -oun
Crsule's neck, begged her not to let ther
take her away. Her fricnl tried to comfor
her, but she would not listen.
"Oh! Sister Ur>uIe, what shall DO with
out thee :" she kept constantly repeating, iii
the good sister took her in her arms and bee
cel her not 10 waste the last hours of thei
privacy in this fruitIess manner, bat to 81
down by her and talk, for she had much {
say. This calmed her. and she obeyed. Sh
sat Il. wn on her bed, and laid her head o.
Ursule's bosom.
Now, you must tell me ever, thing. M
chere seur," said she, trying all the while 4
stifle the sobs, which would burst up in spit
of her efforts.
Were there not some ritying spirits, look
ing down upon the two as they sat there s.
lovingly. each feeling that the brightest hou
in her monotonous life was about to be total
ly darkened
"What shall tell thee, my poor child !?
asked Ursule, tenderly. Christine was 81
lent moment. and then said, hesitatingly
q" Will you not tell me about myself siste
Ursule? Why have ] not parents an'
friends. like the other pensionnaires an,
Why does no one ever take me to spend th,
holidays ?"
My dear child, do not ask me to tell thee