Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-22

send her, under chaige oil mliliner
named Rosalie dc Duve, to Brussels with
letter asking admission for her the
convent OF Jette. A carriage was pro-
cured, in which, to avoid detection, the
two women were driven out of town TO a
way station on the railroad, and they
reached Brussels without molestation.
All this was serious crime in the eye
of lhc law, for Annabella, until she should
reach the age OF twenty-iour, was yet a
minor, under her brothers guardianship.
The nuns of Jetta apparently suspected
that something was wrong, and refused
to receive the fugitive. Rosalie then.
after much difficulty, succeeded in obtain
ing permission for her 10 remain fora few
DAYS in another convent. The proposed
asylum having failed, Bogaerts and
Schools then determined to send their
peri!ous charge to Paris. Under the name
of Eugene de Maria, and with false
passport. Annabella was accordingly con-
vevcd by Rosalia to tire house of st. Jo-
seph in Paris, where she remained at the
expense of Bogaerts until September. For
some unexplained reason, Rosalie was
then sent to Paris 10 bring her back. At
Mechliu, the two were met by Schools,
who conducted them To the house of the
Sisters ofthe Sacred Heart, at Hougerde.
where arrangements had been made for
Annabclla's reception. After three months
of rest. something occurred TO alarm the
reverend conSprators, and Rosalie was
sent to bring Annabella back again to
Antwerp. where she was placed in the
Carmelite Convent. The Superior OF the
Carmclites found that her nerves could
not long endure the risk 10 which she had
exposed herself. and she applied TO a
house in Bruges 10 receive the fugitive.
The dangerous task was prudently de-
clined but bolder spirit Was found in
the head of the Sisters of Charity, NJ
Eccloo, therefore, two days before
Christmas, was Rosalie dispatched by
Bogaerts, in charge of luckless Anna
bella. to whom the name of Marie Taine Z
was now given.
Thus far the plot had been successful ;
and if the object of these ceasless cares
had gratefully perseverc1 in preierring
heaven to earth, as advised by her gho ostiy
counsellors. she might never more have
been heard OF among men. untortun-
nately for her salvation, she was human.
Thoughts OF the brother whom she had
been led 10 desert. and OF the faith she
had been pur,uaded TO abandon. would
intrude themselves. aud twice during her
weary wanderingS she had attempted 10
communicate with Richard. but fears oi
those around her had rendered her efforts
nugatory. A third time she was bolder
and more successful. On January 10,
1860. Richard received letter, postmarS-
ed At Client, which. over an unintelligiblc
signature. informed him that his lost
Annabella WAS in the convent at Eccioo,
under the name of Marie Toinez. and that
she could be recognized there on Sunday
during mass. among the boarders, behind
the screen in the church.
The following Sunday, January 30, q
witness wa, sent. who saw Annabella In
the convent church On Monday Richard
presented himself at the convent and
claimed his sister The lady solemnly
denied any knowledge of Marie Toiuez oi
Annabclla Kohrsch; but as soon a
Richard had lett the house, she hurried
Annabella to the residence of jean Antoine
van Peteghem, the spiritual director o
her community. The precaution, was mo-
i'll timed, for Richard speedily returned
with the police. His search, of course
as in vain, and to keep up the comedy
the superior feigned to be touched with
the depth Of his grief, promised to aid
him in tracing his sister, and actually
took his address, so as to be able 10 senc
news in case she should be so fortunate
as to discover the hiding place Of thu
missing girl.
By this time the affair had crea ed con
siderable scandal, and rs the pursuer:
were so nearly on the track ofthe precious
convert, it had evidently become danger
Gus to afford her refuge.
Her soul was to be saved, however, nj
all costs, and the pious conspirators were
not disposed to abandon the prize which
had cost them so much risk and labor
Accordingly, at midnight, Annabella wa:
taken, carefully guarded, TO retired spo
near the cemetery of Eecloo, where 6
carriage was in waiting. Before daylight
she had been driven to Bruges, and taken
to convent there. The superior, afraid
to receive her, placed her with irusty
person named John Callaghan, who kept
her until the evening of the 25th. Then
by the night boat, he conveyed her to
Client, where after one or two vain al
tempts to find a hiding place for her. he
succeeded in lodging her with jeanette
Van Haucoaers, a former pupil OF the
convent of Melscle, which, it will be
remembered, was the scene of Annabella's
conversion.
The quarry was now nearly brought te
bay. The police had not been idle, ant
Callahan's visit to Client was suspected
10 have some connection with the disap