The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-23

CHAPTER X.

GhA- ~
Afte, the civilians, the cerhg began to
,o,ve the church, the lower orders coming
Fl ST. All, in SUPPLIES, covered their
heads with their caps, under the porch
and each one held a large, lighted wax
4aper; those at the right, in their right
hand. ard those at The left in their
left hand, outside the rank, so there
VA, double row of double flames, almost
deadened by the brightness of the day.
First we're representatives from the great
seninaries, the parishes, and then collegiate
churches; then came the benefited clergy
men ard clerks of the cathedral, followed
bv the canons in white pluvals. In their
midst were the choristers in capes of red
silk, who chanted the anthem in full voice,
and to whom all the clergy replied in lower
notes. The hymn, ''Pange Lingua," was
grandly given. The street was now filed
with rustling of muslin from the flying
winged sleeves Of the surplices, whicl
seemed pierced all over with tiny stars of
pale gold from the flames of the candles.
"Ohr' at last Angeliquo half sighed,
sthere is Saint Agnesn'
She smiled at The saint, borne by four
clerks in white surpiices, on platform of
wnlta velvet heavily ornamented with lace,
Each year it was like a new surprise to her,
as she saw her guardian angel thus brought
out from the shadows where she had been
growing old for centuries, quite like another
person under the brilliant sunshine as if she
were tlmid and biushing iii her robe of long,
golden lair. She was really so old, yet still
very young, with her small hands. her little,
slender feet, her delicate, girlish face,
blackened by time.
But monseigneur was to follow her. AL
ready the swinging of the censers could be
heard coming from the depths of the
church.
There was a slight murmuring of voices
as Angelique repeated:
"Monseigneur, monseigneur," and with
her eyes still upon the saint who was going
by size recalled to mind at this moment the
old histories. The noble MarqueSses d.
Hauteceur delivering Beaumont from the
plague thanks to the intervention of
Agnes; then Jean V. and all those of his
race coming to kneel before her image, to
pay their devotions to the saint. and she
seemed to see them all, the lords of the
miracles, coming one by one like u line of
princes.
A large space had been left empty Then
the chaplain charged with the care of the
crozier advanced, holding 1t erect, the
curved part being toward him. Afterward
came two censor bearers, VINO walked
backward and swung the censers gently
from side to side, each one having near him
an acolyte charged with the incense box.
There was a little difficulty before they
succeeded in passing by one of the divisions
of the door, the great canopy of royal
scarlet velvet, decorated with a heavy
fringe OF gold. But the delay was short,
order was quickly re-esta blished, and the
al off tool tho ortc in,
hand. Underneath, between his deacons
of honor, monseigneur walked, bareheaded,
his shoulders covered with white scarf,
the two ends of which enveloped his hands,
which bore the Holy Sacrament as high as
possible, and without touching it.
Immediately the incense bearers resumed
their places, and the censers sent out in
haste, fell back again in unison, with the
little silvery sound of their chains.
But Angelique started as she thought
where had she ever seen anyone who looked
like monseigneur2 She certainly knew his
face before, but had never been struck by
it as to-day All heads were bow ed in
solemn devotion. But she was 50 uneasy,
she simply bent down and looked at him.
He was tall, slight and noble-looking; SUI
perb in his physical strength, notwith-
Standing his 60 years. His eyes were pierre
ing as those of an eagle, his nose, little
prominent, only seemed to increase the
sovereign authority of his face, which was
somewhat softened by his white hair, that
was thick and curly. She noticed the pal
Tor of his complexion, and 1t seemed to her
as if he suddenly flushed from some I'M
known reason. Perhaps, however, it was
simply reflection from the great golden
rayed sun which he carried in his covered
hands, and which placed him in a radiance
of mystic light
Certainly he to-day made her think of
some one, but of whom. As soon as he left
the church. monseigneur had commenced a
psalm, which he recited in a low voice. al
ternating the verses thereof with his dea-
cons. And Angeique trembled when she
saw him turn his eyes toward the window,
for he seemed to her SO severe, so naughty
end SO cold, as if he were condemning the
vanity of all earthly affection. He turned
his face toward the three bands Of ancient
mbroidery-Mary and the Angel, Mary at
the foot of the Cross, Mary being borne to
Heaven-and his face frightened. Then he
lowered his eyes and fixed them upon her,
but she was so disturbed she could not tell
whether his glance was harsh or gentle; at
all events it was only for moment, for
quickly regarding the Holy Sacrament, his
expression was lost in the light which came
from the great golden vessel. The censers
still swung back and forth with measured
rhythm, while little blue cloud mounted
in the air.
But Angelique's heart now beat SO rapidly
she could seal cely keep still. Behind the
canopy she had Just seen chaplain, his
hugels covered with scarf, who was carry
ing the mitre as devoutly as If 1T were
sacred object, Saint Agnes flying heaven
ward with the two angels, the work Of her
hands, and into each stitch Of which she had
put such deep love. Then, among the lay
men who followed, in the midst of func-
tonaries, of officers, of magistrates, she
recognized Felicien in the front rank,
slight and graceful, with his curly hair, his
rattle large but straight nose, and his
black eyes, the expression of which was at
the same time proud and gentle She ex-
pected him; she was not at all surprised to
md him transformed into a prince, her
heart simply was overlooking with joy. To
The anxious look which he gave her, as of
lmploring forgiveness for his falsehood, she
replied by lovely smile.
But lookp exclaimed Hubertine, aston
ished at what she saw, 'is not that the
young man who came to our house about the
mitrep
She had also recognized him and was
much disturbed, when, turning toward the
young girl, she saw the latter TRANSPORTED,
IN ecstacy, avoidinga reply.
Then he did not tell us the truth about
nlmselfs But why? Do you know the rea-
sont Tell me, my dear, do you know who
tnls young man isl"
Yes, perhaps in reality she did know. An
inner VOICE answered all thaga questions