The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-04-21

Of the steeplcs, and to Catharine. the
seemed playing one Of the bars .
Mendelssoh2's weddiag-ms rch over AM
over again. Thoy we're passing b,
some of those old wooden houses wLicl
still exist in tho quaint old city, pile,
with carvings, and balconies, and flow
ers, chiefly balsams, flaming agains
the biackened walls; heads were peep
i'g through the windows, easement
were cleaning. 1t was like the realiza
tion Of a fancy Catharine once hat
lung ago, when she was listening Il
Beamish in the studio.
"How loudly those bells are ringing
they will break their necks," said Jea,
de Tracy, by way Of something to sly
for conversation was little difficult uu
der the circumstances, and silence wal
difficult too.
All round The church Of St. Pierr.
there Is flower garden. The church
stands at the end Of the qnai, aad at the
meeting Of many streets. The market
people were 10 groups all about wher
the wedding party arrived. There
seemed to be an unusual stir in the
place. 1t is always gay and alive
TO- day 1t was .uore than usually crowded
with white caps, and flowers, and blous.
IS, and baskets Of vegetables. Jean de
Tracy, who was used to the place, led
the way across to a side door which be
opened and held back for Catharlue to
pass, in, but she waited until the others
came up. Fontaine and Madame de
Tracy first entered, the others following
after, aud then there was sudden stop,
aud no one advanced any farther. II
the Protestant temple seemed melan-
choly, this was terrible to them as they
came in out of the cheerful chtter and
sunshine, into gloom aud darkness
which started them all. The high al
tar was hung completely iu black; the
lights burnt dimly: by degrees, when
they could distinguish more clearly,
they saw that figures in m mourning were
passing up the long aisle, while voices
at the alter were chanting a requiem
for the dead. Catharine gavo little
cry, and seized hold of some one who
was standing near her.
"Ah how terrible ~ cried Madame
de Tracy, involuutarily.
"There must be some mlstake,," said
Dick. "Have we como to the wrong
church? ?
"1t often happens so in our church.
es," Refine said, quietly taking Catba-
rine's hand. II do not think there il
any mistake"
Fontaine and Jean de Tracy went
hastily forward to speak to an official
who was advancing up side aisle. AZ
Refine said, there was 90 mistake-shey
were exposed; "a little sils.altar had
been made ready for them, were PAbbe
Terdier's well-known face somewhat
reassured them, but not entirely. We
all know that the marriage service goes
on though there are mourners in the
world. Why not face the truth and
yet it was sad and very depressing,
The ceremony was hurried through,
but Catbarinc was sobbing long before
it came to an end. Marthe was the
person who was least moved. 1t pu,
her in mind of her own profession, now
soon approaching, when neither mar,
rage nor burlal-service. but something
between the two, would be read over
her. Refine was trying to cheer ant
reassure the children. Toto said ht
wanted to go; be was frightened, ano
began to wtimper, and at last Rein
took him out into the porch.
| Butler, who always seemed to know
where she was, followed her q minut
after, and stood with her under, tn
noble Did porch, with its ornamental
tions and gurgoyles carved against tn
blue Of the sky stony saints and flow
ers, fantastic patterns, wreaths, bird
flying, arch built upon arch, delightfu
bounty aud intricate loveliness, tone
and tinted by the years which ha'
passed since these noble gates were pu
up to the house Of the Lord, and tn
towers overhead were piled. Die
thought be should be well content I
stand there with Riene like the abbot
and saints all about, and see the Ger
turies 60 by, and the great tides Of th
generations of people.
! Refine was busy meanwhile answe
ing Toto's impatient little questions
, her shawl was halt slipping of as sh
, leaut against niche in the wall; wit
r one hand Git was trick she had) sh
e vas shading her eyes from 'he sui
+ with the other she was holding Toto
little stout fist.
>. "l am trving to give you name,
a said Dick at last, smiling. II do n
r know what noble lady was martryrt
i in Cashmere, for whom you mig
|. stand, in your niche, just as you are
As he spoke, some more of Il
4 mourners passed iu; Itwas the fanel
= Of q high dignitary in the place, al
numbers Of people were attending
ia "What sad wedding for poor Cath
rine," Refine said, looking after the
"Poor. little thing! 1t must be