The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-11
She was recovering ou,cklv. and she

She was recovering quickly, and she
was evidently conscious that she had be-
hsved somewhat foolishly. She smiled,
q weak pale smile; but she looked very
scared, worn and ILL., She rose from her
chair slowly and languidly.
81 think will go to my ROOM" she
said, not regarding Mere Marguerite,
who had withdrawn to q little distance,
and who stood rigidly erect, immovably
featured, with her silver crucifix glitter
ing coldly on her still breast.
Goodbye, Cesare! Please forget my
stupidity, and write to me from Avel-
limo"
took her outstretched hand. and
bowling over It, touched it gently with
my lips. She turned towards the door,
when suddenly mischievous idea seemed
to enter her mind. She looked at
Madame la Vicaire and then
came back to me.
| "Addio, amor Moi" she said, with a
sort Of rapturous emphasis, and throw
ing her arms round my neck she kissed
me almost passionately.
Then she glanced maliciously at the
nun, who had lowered her eyes till they
appeared fast shut. and breaking into q
low peal Of indolently amused laughter,
waved her hand to me, and left the
| room.
Twas somewhat confused. The sud-
denness and warmth of her caress had
| been, knew, a mere monkeyish trick,
designed to vex the religious scruples of
Mere Marguerite. knew not what to
say to the stately woman who remained
| confronting me with downcast eyes, and
| lips that moved dumbly as though in
| prayer. As the door closed after my
wife's retreating figure. the nun looked
| up; there was slight flush on her
paIIid cheeks, and to my establishment
tears glittered on her dark lashes.
Madame" began earnestly, 81 as
sure you"
"Say nothing, signor," she interrupted
me with slight deprecatory gesture;
sit is quite unnecessary. To mock a
religieuse Is common amusement with
young girls and women of the world. l
am accustomed to it, though / feel it's
cruelty more than / ought to do. La
dies like the Countess Romani think that
we've, the sepulchres Of womanhood.
-sepulchres that we have emptied and
cleansed to the best Of our ability,
so that they may more
fttinglv hold lthe body OF the crucified
Christ; these grandes danes, say, fancy
that we are ignorant Of all they know,
that we cannot understand love, tender
ness or passion. They never reflect,
how should they? that we also have had
our Observation-Disclosures, perhaps, that
would make angels weep for pity! /,
even L" and she struck her breast
fercely, then suddenly recollecting her
self, she continued coldly-"The rule Of
our convent, signor; permits no visitor
to remain longer than one hour-that
hour has expired. i will summon sister
to show you the way out"
"Wait one instant, madame" / said,
feeling that to enact my part thoroughly
ought to attempt to make some de-
fence of Nina's conduct; ''permit me to
say word! My fiancie is worry young
and thoughtless, really cannot think
that her very innocent parting carass to
me had anything in it that was meant to
purposely annoy you"
The nun glanced at me;-her eyes
flashed disdainfully.
"You think it was all affection for you,
no doubt, signor? A very natural sup
position, and-I should be sorry to I'M
deceive YOU"
She paused moment and then re-
sumed:
"You seem an earnest man-mavbe
you are destined to be the means of saw
ing Nina; could say much, yet 1t is
wise to be silent. If you love her do
aot f1atter her: her Overweening vanity
Is her ruin. A firm, wise, ruling master
hand may perhaps-who knows?" She
hesitated and sighed, then added gently,
Farewell. signor! Benedicite!" and
making the sign of the cross as re-
spectfullY bent my head to receive her
blessing, she passed noiselessly from the
room.
One moment later, and a lame and
aged lay sister came to escort me to the
gate. As / passed down the stone cor
ridor side door opened a very little
way, and two fair young faces peeked
out at me. For an instance l saw four
laughing black eyes; / heard smoth-
cred voice say, 'Oh! c'est I'm vieux
papaw and then my guide, who
though lame was not blind, perceived
the opened door ana shut it with an
angry bang, which, however, did not
drown the ringing merriment that
echoed from within. On reaching the
outer gates l turned to my veneer
able companion, and laying four twenty
franc pieces in her shiveriDg palm, l
said:
Take these to the Reverend Mother
for me, and ask that mass be said In the
chapel tomorrow for the repose Of the
soul Of him whose name is written here"
nd 7 hnr rts ct =
ing card, adding in lower and more SOL
emn tones:
HE met with a sudden and unpre-
pared death. OF your charity, pray also
for the man who killed himp
The old woman looked startled, and
crossed herself devoutly: but she prom
ised that my wishes should be fulfilled,
and babe her FAREWELL and passed out,
the convent gates closing with dull
clang behind me. i walked on few
yards and then paused, looking back.
What a peaceful home it seemed; how
calm and sure retreat, with the white
Noisette roses browning its ancient gray
walls! Yet what embodied curses were
pent up in there in the shape
OF girls growing to be women;
women for whom all the
care, stern training and anxious solicit
tude of the nuns would be unavailinR;
women who would come forth from even
that abode of sanctity with vile natures
and animal impulses, and who would
hereafter, while leading life Of vice
and hypocrisy, hold up this very strict
ness Of their early education as a proof
Of their unimpeachable innocense and
virtue! To such, what lesson Is learnt
BY the daily example of the nuns who
mortify their flesh, fast, pray and weep?
No lesson at all-nothiDg, save mockery
and contempt To girl in the hayday