The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-10-20

ment. In addition to the customary services, whose glitter and show were sufficient to make a deep impression upon the minds of the simple and credulous peasants who composed the majority of the parish, the day was to witness another important ceremony. Three young ladies, having completed their novitiate in the neighboring con- vent, were to assume the veil which symbolizes their separation from earthly things. There was tall Marie, she whose lover had been brought home dead on the Christmas but one gone by, and who had never been known to smile since; and pious Ma tilda, she who had been 80 stupid and good from infancy that it had always been said she was destined either for an early grave or the service of the church and Felicia-ah, Felicial The village girls breathed her name with 6 soft sigh and look of wonder. The young men spoke of her in awed whis- pers and with contracted brows. Little Felicia, who had, but short time ago, been the life of every party throughout the valley. Light hearted, blithe Felicia, whose laugh had been like the ripple of 8 mountain brook, and whose sparkling eyes had wrought havoc with many an unschooled mas- culine heart. Sprightly Felicia, who was the embodiment of all the best they knew in free- e-hearted, wholesome w0rldiiness who had been vain Of her beauty with the innocent vanity of & child; who had been 8 seeker after temporal pleasures with an honest selfishness that radiated an atmosphere Of happiness and content wherever she passed. To see her with the wan, pal lid face of an acolyte, to see her en- shrouded in the fateful veil, was like having the grim shadow of death stalk in among them.
 The question of Rafael's attendance upon divine service had been raised in the Santos household that morning.
 "Shall we not take the poor fellow along9 It may please him" suggested the good sister -in-l law.
 "But they wouldn't let the COW in the church l" cried the youngest boy, 8 bright-eyed lad of some sevensyears, whereat there was hearty laugh, and Rafael was left to his customary guar dianship.
 But when the COW and the man went out that day, the former started for her favorite grazing place, down the county road. To her surprise the gentle quadruped felt stout pull of resistance upon the rope, and, turning to direct look of indignant remon- strance upon her quondam follower, received smart rap over her back. She lowered her horns and made threatening thrust at her rebellious subject, who met this demonstration with such stolid indifference that the beast was fain to turn, in aggrieved subjection, and follow whither he led.
 It did not please Santos or his wife, on arriving at the church that morn ing, to find this discreditable member of their family, with the COW, posted on the green directly opposite the church. Possibly the poor fellow liked the pomp and show as we'll as any of the children who, dressed in their best, gayly climbed the steps of the old mission church with their par ents, or, lettering there, wide-eyed and open n-mouthed, gazed at the throngs which constantly arrived.
 If Santos brother retained any recollection of what the priest had told him in early December, there was no hint of it in his inert figure and impassive face. He reclined upon the grass in his customary listless attitude, lying on one side, with his face partly shaded by his broad -brimmed hat. Children eyed him with 8 look of friendly interest, as they would have looked on any of natures phenomena. Farmers from remote quarters of the parish looked curiously at this lazy idler, who had not the grace to doff his work-day clothes, or bestir him. self on this, the great festal day of the year. Young men pointed to him jeeringly as they passed, with able bodied manhood's contempt of the weak or deficient, while young girls murmured soft words of pity and re- gret for what he had been.
 The notes of an organ and sudden burst of song fioated out upon the air and Q low-toned, monotonous chant told that the service had begun. The crowd of men outside hardened at the half-opened doors of the church, and tired mothers, seated on the steps of the broad platform before it, brought out a store of crackers and cookies to quiet restless children.
 T In the midst of the services one of the stout farmers, moving restlessly about the church outside, raised his head and sniffed the air suspiciously. | "Pedro pdisdn0, smell smoke P he said, with decision, addressing a friend.
 aOh, very like! Some of the young