True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-29
ymm 9bot6 to 9mun yntunt 4ltrant sim ab General ynel
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL %, 1851


while on the other hand, the priest re-
doubled his efforts at encouragement.
81 blame moi thy grief, my daughter"
he said. 1t is but natural and most
unfortunate it was that thou shouldsr
have heard of this atrocous crime ct
moment when thou didst stand in iced of
so much of composure. But thou
reflect, child, that it is as ifI
Heaven itself had removed this great OBJ
slacle from thy path of duty. Courage
then, the worst is over. Thou art soon
to leave a world of anxiety and disap-
pointment, for an asylum where peace
and holy quietness alone can enter"
By this time they had arrived at a low
arched way leading from the aisle about
half way up its Length. Within the arch
stood youth dressed in choreslor's vest.
ments. As the priest approached, this
attendant with graceful obeisance, push.
ed partly open small door.
Enter" he said, I" if it please your
reverence. The bishop awaits you with
in"
The sole tenant of the apartment into
which they were thus ushered, was man
whose robes, significant of his superior
Office, covered person rather inclined
to corpulency. His features, betokening
somewhat beyond a middle age, were
well rounded and progressing. The
eyes, though by no means devoid of bril-
Iiancy, were chiefly remarkable for mild
ness of expression. Indeed one would
have hardly suspected him as being more
than an casy-going, well fed church dig
ni,ary, were it not for the boldly marked
lines OF nose and mouth, which many
claim TO be the physiognomical signs Of
genius. Returning in like manner the
respectful salutation Of the priest, he
awaited in silence the communication
which the latter should make.
Your reverance," said Father Pedro,
"Is already aware, I think, of the pur.
pose entertained by the Lady Isabella de
Folk, to claim membership among the
nuns of the holy order of Saint Cecilia.
According 10 the manner which you have
established in such cases, have introduced
the candidate, that you may be fully sat-
is6ed in regard to her rightful qualifca-
ZION. Nevertheless, may be pardoned,
when with all humility l state that from
my unmistakable knowledge, can affirm
her fitness for the consecrated Office"
1t is not my CUSTOM" said the bsh
op, intcrrupting further remark, "wholly
to DELEGATE to any. however faithful, the
task which I have imposed on myself
alone. As, therefore, would question
the candidate, leaving her as free from
extraneous influence or association as pos
sible, | will entreat yourself and our sis.
ter the abbess, to withdraw for space to
the vestibule, where the worthy Paulus
will furnish you with Seats"
The brows of the priest lowered with
vexation.
"SureIy," he said, "your reverence
would not deny to the trembling candi.
date the sustaining power of her accus
toned confessor :"
4" Father Pedro" replied his superior
&" Ii is not without due consideration thai
| make the request. | trust that you
will present no further objection
The priest, bending his head in toker
of acquiescence, withdrew, accompanied
by the abbess.
And now" continued the bishop
directing his attention 10 her who remain
ed behind, q" tell me, my chiIa, con6dns
freely in me as you would in a father
stands your mind thoroughly determined
towards this purpose of which WI
speak"
In the breast of Isabella, resolution
scarce surmounted the despair which
new sorrows had inflicted.
81 have no other refuge left" sh
said, in accents Of the deepest despair.
"My child" rejoined the bishop, 6"
fear that other motives than such as
would accept have at least helped to in
fuenCe thee. Say then, for | know hoy
powerful are such things with the young
has friend or lover proved unfaihful, o
other sudden anguish disturbed the eve
balance Of thy mind 2"
"Alas !" replied Isabella, clasping he
hands convulsively, he lies basely mul
dered in the Hotel de Charlemague p
4" Infamous" exclaimed the bishop i
a low and agtated voice. "And hi
name?"
He was called Count Lora," said Il
abella in a low and broken voice, as sh
knelt at the feet of the prelate. " AL
how happy might our lives have passed
had it not been for the wicked heres
into which he tell, and against whic
father Pedro hath so earnestly warne
me-"
"Poor YOUTH" replied the bishop
"But grieve no more: thy sorro
shall be turned 10 Joy. Know tho
that the Cou Mt Lora still lives. A stral
! ger, recently appointed lieutenant of h
troop, and who occupied the adioinir
chamber, received the blow which wa
: doubtless intended for thy lover. An
as for this dIeadful heresy, which has {
shocked thy tender conscience, |, wh
, am acquainted with the family (wel
y they not the patrons Of my desolate o