Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-05
SISTER MARY PAUL.
What the Rev. Father willard Says OF
Her Recent Marriage.

YANKToN, D. T., January 1.-The follow
ing is the statement of the Rev. Father Will
lard in regard to the recent marriage of
Sister Mary Paul aud DR.. Ross, brief meu-
ton of which has been made in these dis
patches:
DIR. Roes was admitted TO the convent in
the capacity of physician. For the praise
of the profession, be it said, not one doctor
in a thousand would take advantage OF HE
position to make love to a Sister. When /
frat heard of this, a long time since, was
given to understand that DR.. Ross had
| frightened her by crazy actions till she
| thought he would commit some violence,
and, in her fear, she promised him 10 make
him happy, and Immediately after wrote
him explaining that it could not be. She
told the mother of the convent about it. The
mother told her that she might 90 TO Chi
cago, Milwaukee, or some other distant city,
and consult with some old priest. A stran-
ger who was disinterested would give her ad-
vice. She went 10 Milwaukee and consulted
with q priest, who told her that il she wished
she could have her VOWS Cancelled and
marry. She said she did not wish to marry.
After several Intellectual attempts 1 succeed
ed in finding DR.. Ross in his office. told
him what / had heard. He denied all
threats and violence, said he really loved
Sister Paul, and wished 10 marry her. / told
him If she wished TO marry she could get a
dispensation from the bishop. He replied
that he knew that, and said he had tried to
persua de her 10 write 10 the bishop to get q
dispensation. 1 told him, after hearing his
side of the story, that could see her. l
went to the convent, saw Sister Paul, and
told her OF my interview with the doctor. /
told her she could have dispensation and
marry him if she wished. She told me she
act ell, to, hsp, nd hat Oh
never should marry him under any consid-
Grafton. l told her wished to avoid scan
dial in Yankton; that her msrrisge here in
Ysnkton would not be kindness to the con-
vent; that, if abe wished to marry, it could
be done in some distant place, and in the
proper manner. She still insisted strongly
that she would never marry him, but said she
had received him, and wished TO have one in
terview with him 10 explain ALL" Accord
ingly Father Willard arranged an interview
at his own house, whereupon the parties de-
cided that they were never to marry. "But,"
continues the reverend priest, "the doctor
said he should leave town, as alter what had
passed he should not feel happy II he
thought she were upon the. bill at the con-
vent. They settled the affair, and she re-
\ ported Che result, as I have stated il, othe
mother at the convent. Now, in spite of all
this, scene is made and she lis married.
After marriage she puts on her Sisters habit
and returns to the convent and tells no one
of the affair, but enters the chapel and de-
ceives the Sisters by going on with the usual
exercises Of the community. The public
can Judge of the honesty of this. When 1
heard of it went to the convent and called
her from the chapel and told her she could
not play double. By her own act she has
accommodated herself from the Catholic
Church. / told her she could not remain
there deceiving people, but the carriage
should be ordered to take her to her hus-
band do not attach any blame to the Rev.
Mr.. Ward. AZ far as 1 know he is an hon.
orable gentleman. Had he known her to be
Catholic Sister, 1 think he would not have
performed the ceremony. Probably he was
deceived like the rest Of us."