Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-25

4
given up. But, Madame" said the Project,
clearing his throat, much as l regret it, /
must make one request. My friend here is
| the Colonel OF The regiment that is to be
| quartered for time at San Martina"
i The Superior bowed gravely TO the officer
| thus introduced to her notice.
| The Project again coughed-it was diff
cult to heap blow after blow upon this
| helpless, dignifed woman. The convent
unfortunately is the only building large
| enough or suitable for barracks, and con-
| sequeltly-"
The Mother Superior gave one little gasp.
She stretched out her hand and caught hold
Of the table. suppose this Dissertation
IS ineyitable2" she said
Quite inevitable" said the Project,
going on hastily. And so also is the re-
| quest l am obliged TO make to you. This
! gentleman, Colonel Montanelli, has to re-
! turn to Florence tomorrow to make ar
| rangements for the tranfers of his troops 70
San Martino by the end of the week, eonse-
quently heTeQuests permission to see the
whole convent now, this evening, with q
| view 70 ascertaining what the accommoda-
ton is"
MontanelH, staid, soldierly-looking
man, with an immense mustache, unfolded
his official orders and laid them before
her.
This is very sudden. gentlemen" said
the Superior, with an effort TO conceal what
q shock ii was, but ! must obey. Listen y
from others of the utter futility of opposi-
ton, you should only desecrate our holy
convent by walking over my dead body
would resist 10 the last"
You are wise to make no opposition,
Madame" said the Project shortly, and the
Priore made q deprecatory movement of
his hand
I have one request TO make, said the
Superior. They all bowed
This evening will you attend our bene-
diction service, and when it is over I will
myself conduct this gentleman all over the
convent provided that my Sisters remain
in their places in the gallery until once
more their privacy IS insured"
Believe me, Madame said Montanelh
I'll would be wise to accustom them little
TO their liberty before the doors of the cage
| are thrown open permanently"
I am accustomed 70 rule my commu-
nifty, as Monsieur is accustomed TO rule his
company" said the Mother
The Project and Montaneli spoke apart
for a moment with the Mayor. They were
all anxious to cause as little scandal as pos
sible-the villagers adored the Sisters. Col
onel Montanelli came forward
Everything shall be done exactly as il
suits you best, Madame" he said l and
my Lieutenant will be present at the bene-
diction, aud when it is over we will place
| ourselves at your disposal
The Mother Superior withdrew, and not
till she was safe once more within the con-
vent walls did she give way to the agony of
her soul. Soldiers Soldiers 10 take pos
1ff ir,+ Int l,as,.
| consecrated cells, TO drink in their refec-
tory, to clatter along the still cloister She
looked around her with q kind of passion
of mingled fear and despair. It required
great courage to break the news to the sis
| terhood and to bear their terror and de-
SPAR. What was to become of them ?
Where should they go Some Of them had
homes some we're old and knew not
where TO turn each individual case would
have 10 be considered.
| With trembling hand the Mother Su-
| perior chose the hymns for the BenedietioB;
e vague idea was in her mind that she
would like the hearts of the soldiers
I touched, as they must be if they were hu-
man. She told the Sisters so, and with Q
| kind Of absolute trust in her, they deter
mined TO sing their very best. The Mother
! Superior gave the book into Assunta' s
| hand and looked at her; her face was the
same as usual, the story had conveyed no
| idea 10 her mind WhateYer-she did not
understand il.
| The hour came. The little church was
crowded, as it always was for Benediction,
and in the foremost places of honor, beside
| the Project and the Mayor, sat Colonel
, Montanelli and his young Lieutenant, con
spfcu5ds oy their uniforms and glancing
! epduletas.
The service began, presently the hymn
began from the gallery behind. The three
\ strangers started. It was the Pange,
/ lingua, gloriosi" that Assnnta sang, and her
voice, beginning softly, rolled on in a
( glorious volume of sound, the last part OF
each verse sung in chorus by ali the Sis
| tiers. It died away, ana there was pause,
| while every one knelt then the same voice
/ began to sing again-a very st. Cecilia-
/ and this time she began the evening hymn
! very softly, Te lucis ante teTminum.
| And hardly had she finished than all to
! gether they sung the NunC Dimittis."
| Every one rose from their knees think
| ing that all was over, when suddenly once
more Assuuta's voice burst upon them she
sang powerfully, the grand notes ringing
on the ear:
Gloria Patri, gloria Fiho, gloria spiritui sancto
/ Sicut eratin principle ct nune ct semper.
Her voice gathered strength, and the last
words rolled on q tide of sound none there
had ever heard equaled-
Il in saecula saeculoram.
The whole congregation with q strange
! excitement and strong emotion joined in
! the last Amen.
| The Mother Superior rose from her knees
wiped away the hot tears that had rushed
! l.- 4 NJ
lery into the convent shutting the door OF
| the private staircase into the hall as she
/ did so.
She found the officers waiting for her, in
an enthusiasm IF admiration for what they
had heard.
What Is she Ike, Madame this Sister
with the wonderful Yoice2' asked Monta-
nell. never heard its ike, not on the
finest stage in Europe
She would not interest you" said the
Mother, alarmed at the notice her poor in
nocent child had excited. She led the way
res0lutely, bat her heart ached and bled-
she could hardly bear to take these men
into their little cells, and to think Of what
was coming. But they were very quiet
very respectful to her, and when they had
seen all, they thanked her very civilly, they
returned TO the passage into which the
private staircase came, and both men were
looking up it 50 earnestly that sudden
resolution came into the head of the
Mother Superior. She begged them tC
wait, and went up with her quick but dig
nified step, and summoned the sisterhood
to come down.
/ They came down, walking two and two
passed the spectators and went their way
/ AS they passed, the Mother touched Mon
tanelli's arm. Behold our songstress,
she said, and with little movement of bel
head she indicated Sister Caterina-a very
stout and homely woman, who had Ions
been afflicted with the govt
IS Per BdccoP calculated the two officers
and they took their leave with many bow!
and thanks.
The Mother Superior sighed and SHOOK
her head. 3. For this little lie heaven vii
forgive me" she said.
It was terrible evening that passed IL
the convent; the Sisters took their misfor