Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-29

aspire; about that, the white barbette
with the sacred chaplet of beads, tn
only relief to the general sombre array
and the veil which concealed all Ma
dame Modiste's skill in hairdressine
completed the costume.
The monks appeared in great variet,
OF dress, but all with the cowl draw
tightly over their heads; mendicants. il
sandalled feet. with wallet and tinglins
bells; lordly abbots, with huge woode11
croslers; and others with bare head an(
shutting gait, who plainly confessed the,
belonged to the poorer brethren. Blu
they were far from being quiet, holy
humble train, like some of ancient days
the nineteenth century was here grated
on the middle ages, and made confused
grotesque picture, curious to the LOCKER
on. 1t was very amusing to watch ami,
mated Irritation III one corner, between
meek, gentle sisters and grave, stately
friars; to see them glide gracefully round
and round through the merry, witchine
waltz, lose all their cherished dignity il
some flying gallop, or go wrong in the
mazes OF simple contra, with chatter
and noisy shouts, that would almost call
st. Francis and good Mother Hecla from
their graves.
None of your saints ooked pious apd good,
; But Jolly, fat friars,
Sitting round the great roaring fires,
, Roaring louder than they
An: my friends! tits the greatest folly
Not to be jolly. That's what tlink!''
There were most ingenious attempts
to catch tone or movement, or some
peculiar glance of the eye, that should
make somebody known; here and there
were decided mods and exultant express
slons, as If one unknown had fully es-
tablished in his own mind the identity
OF his fair friend; the next moment would
lose sight of her in the crowd, and the
vain attempt would begin over again.
Alice was very quick in her conjectures,
and several times in deep, low voice.
she had murmured name in listening
ear, and the conscious start and eager
denial told her she was right. She had
not danced much during the evening,
but Joined group in the good old game
of rhyming, that brought out all the
poetical talent of the company in way
that Piqued curiosity to the last degree.
"Who said that =? All tell me who
that IS, came out again and again as
earnestly and unconsciously as if all but
the speaker knew every hidden face in
room.
Squire Brent had thrown off his mask
some time ago; and now announced to
the expectant people that they must do
their best to find out their neighbors.
tor III less than an hour the signal would
be given, and all their skill would end.
Alice, rather weary of her good time,
had withdrawn to the deep embrasure OF
the window to wait for it and listen to
music, when the curtain parted, and
tall, majestic monk bowlng low-"with
your permission, fair sister"-took his
seat beside her.
He had lowered near her much of the
evening, and she had exercised her men,
DRY IN vain to think who he could be, to
recognize his figure and manner among
any OF the names on her card of invita-
lions. Now she was nervously appre-
henslve that perhaps after all it was some
one who had no right there, whom she
would be sorry to see; and so she sat
silent, working at her kid glove, that,
contrary to convenient costume, they ali |
wore
Her attendant followed her example.
seemingly content to obey her pleasure,
watching her twitch fuger after finger
till the glove was nearly off; then, as if |
suddenly thinking her hand might be-
tray her, she drew it slowly on again.
'Thank you, Miss Brent" said deep
voice, that seemed half familiar to her:
81 should know your peculiar way of
twisting glove anywhere"
Alice was startled, but replied in as
sumed tones:
"You tlatter yourself, sir. I am Miss |
Brent or any other name you choose to
give, till we can look into each others
faces
$50 be it., said the other, "and as I
choose to call you Miss Brent, should
listen"
''Certainly; the sister will hear any.
thing you care to tell her."
"It begins like a fairy tale," was the
answer; that once upon time, a young
man loved sweet young girl who cared
nothing for him, and no wonder. She
was his superior in everything that
makes one truly great; beautiful, re-
fined and cultured, she used her talents
for the happiness Of those near her, and
for His honor who gave them. She did
not forget the poorat her door. Shehad
high and ennobling views OF life, and be-
ieved that to every one is given the work
which he alone can do without which his
being is poor, warped and stunted, and
turned aside from its rightful end. Her
friend-he was that once-did not agree
| with her in practice. His theories were
grand and lovely, hut he would not de-
scend among the workers of the world. !
He had riches-there was no need for
him to toll for daily bread. He was con-
tent to enjoy all his days. He loved art
and genius in every form; in gathering
their works about him, in administering
to his own delight, he said, he fulfilled
his mission-he helped the toilers.
"Well, he had formed for himself a
rare and wondrous ideal of the home he
would have with her he loved; and he
came, a year ago to-day, to offer his love
to her."
Alce's head dropped slightly, but she
sat as still as at the first.
"She threw it from her with rightful
scorn. In few whitening words she
told him she could never love him. She
said, 'Thou art weighed in the balance
and found wanting He had chosen the
day as a happy one, trusted it full of
| SOOSs AL A4AA3 GsAu 14C HOAU Out u LICE
presence with great bitterness in his
soul. She might be just, but not
merciful. s%
"After this he went away to distant
city, and when he had grown to feel
kindlier towards her, the reaction came.
do not mean that he found other love,
as some men say the heart is caught in
the rebound, but an awakening came to
his soul. He saw the meagerness of his
plan of life, and he vowed to be yet
worthy of her friendship, and one day
returned and claimed it.
"He was then twenty-five. He had
dipped little into theology, little into
law, and more into medicine, SO he choose
that as his profession. He worked at
it more diligently than they who work
for bread, taking two years. course in
| six months ATTENDING All the 1ecf11rea