The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-04-11

the fete, the Countess lutJl nAu slnSlou
him out for the bestowal of especial favor.
If for moment thoughts of Claribel Mark
ham crossed his mind, he dispelled them
with a morbid sullenness, endeavorlng to
convince his reasoning powers that he had
never loved her, that his engagement to
her was but sudden freak Of boyish fancy.
He contemplated with eager imPetuoslty
the promised speedy visit Of the Countess
to his studio, and dwell with ecstatic lin
gerance on her smiles and words of the
previous evening.
Burdois was jubilant, so much 50, in
deed, that the Countess, Ill their brief inter
view the morning after the fete, regarded
nun with distrust and suspicion. She lis
tened coldly to his praises of her coquet-
tlsh art, of her success and her confidence
III, and love for him, in acting the part she
had undertaken to perform. She had wo-
mans Judgment, and a womans heart, and
almost believed that no man could believe
in or love a woman whom he had witnessed
deceiving fellow-man.
''You do not regret the part you have
undertaken he uneasily querled, valnly
SEEKING for some explanation OF her cold
ness.
Yes, do. You do not love me one
half AS much as that poor fool does, and
know that you must feel contempt for
me ia seeing me do your behest So will
Ingly
He convinced her with false theorism
and idle words of affection that this was
not 50. Woman-like, she believed him.
II is ea " to deceive a woman, but it is not
manly little rocked Bernard Burdois Of
this. He succeeded i'll persuading her to
resume her work with new zest he cared
not for her final misery, so long as he gain
ca his object.
If Bernard Burdois felt elated over this
new step toward his final secret purpose,
and the Countess was inspired with new
faith and hope, another prominent actor
in the drama, who, at the moment Of the
interview was riding on horseback i'll a
northerly direction from Rome-was unea-
silly cogltating upon new and treacherous
step toward his aims, which were more or
less Intimately connected with those of
BurduIs. This was Colonel Richard Dele
van. who, AS he turned his steed's face
away from the city, felt that the short jour
ney before him was one that would be pro-
lhc of the most important results. Deeply
meditating and filled with conflicting emo
tons, he did not for a moment allow his
mind t. depart from the subject uppermost
IN his thoughts until he had reached the
convent Of Saint Ursula, nearly fifteen
miles distant from Rome.
His reception by the porter showed that
he was not unfamiliar with the place and
and its inmates.
Ushered tremendously into the recep- |
~ e IL.
person for whom he had asked the porter, |
Mother Agatha.
She soon entered, a tall, proud woman
Of thirty-hve, clothed in the hsbiliments |
Of the Carlnelite order, and disclosing |
from her dark, half-hood face bearing |
traces Of imperious beauty, cruelty and |
suffering. She was coldly polite to her
visitor, and his manner became in turn
much subdued ia the presence of this i'm
pressive woman.
= have called, holy mother, said the
Colonel deferentially, in regard to Sister
Agnes, is she still here and well r.
Still here and well, acquiesced the la
dy superior.
The Colonel bit his lips, and frowned
under his eyebrows. This course Of non
committal tactics he discerned at once
would not answer to prepare the way for
the design had in view.
. 1t was through my influence that Sis
ter Agnes decame an inmate of this con-
vent Since she has been here, | have ex
ecuted many little commissions for the
which have proven highly bene6
cial, said the Colonel
What you say is doubtless true, quiet
ly responded the superior. | know moth
ing of the thoughts or intentions Of any
outside the house. If you desire informa-
ton in regard to her, you will find it in
yonder mlssal"
The ColoneIs eye flashed slyly, and a
smile of cunning triumph crept over his
features. He understood her-a blind
never discarded in the presence Of an out
sider. He reached the ponderous book,
blank compartment, placed it
On the stand before her, and listened while
she read:
SISTER Agnes entered May 49, l8-, of
her own voluntary will, and by her friends
advice. Laboring under great remorse for
the sin of her own misdemeanors. Penance
done and contrition shown"
Then followed entries extending over a
period Of fourteen years, attesting to the
virtue, goodness and sincerity Of this Sister
Agnes. Finally:
June 19, 18-. Sister Agnes exam
med by the Father Camille on the point of
her religious convictions. Result-a total
refusal to subscribe to the spiritual infall-
billty of the order, only passive obedience
to its superiors and progenitors.
Confinement necessary, and penance in
,-,l,.I Tof1 -, an,.,l.~ &c Il rvi1 Ha |
the black veil, and become recluse, in
stead of going out on charitable errands As
she has done"
This sister has been strange accession
to our number" spoke Mother Agatha, as
she closed the volume. She Ia: per-
formed her duties with fidelity, will do
penance, and subscribe 70 our course Of
regulations to the minutest detail spiritu-
ally, however, she is not perfect. We
have tolerated her remisness in this partic-
ular because we have received intimation
Of great pecuniary benefit attached to her |
death as member Of this order, and be-
cause she so fully knows our secrets. Is |
that benefit likely to be large one :"
The lady superior asked this question |
with unhinching gaze fixed upon her visit
or's face.
Colonel Delevan smiled curiously
Double what your expectations are, l |
Judge" he said, assuriuglY. "You spoke
Of the black veil. When that is taken, |
voluntarily. by the devotee, 1 believe no
law, religious or national, can annul the |
ceremony, and restore the person 80 pledged
to perpetual secIusion to society or the
world at largef"
It is as you say" calmly replied Moth
er Agatha.
And former ties, nor the technicallties
of the Law would be able to annul such
proceeding, persisted Delevan.
They would be of no avail, was the
confident reply.
And suppose the novice refuses to &C