The National tribune., 1891-12-17


owner 0f the estate no exception, ana
although OF waIlike disposition, the parting
was quite hard. for he must leave behind a
beautiful young wife and little daughter on
whose head the sunshine OF three summers had
left its gold.
Christmas Eve arrived and mewiy cracked
che logs on the feudal hearth; servants,
aproned and hooded ia white, were bnsy mix
ing aud kuradiug dough Tor sweet-cakes. But
Lady Nalpurga, the mistress ot The house, was
nowhere 10 be seen. With heavy, troubled
heart she was seated by the bedside OF her
child, who WAS rCstessly tossing her ieVerlsh
head from side 10 side. Directly opposite stood
Rmn with ton-ured head and grzzled beard :
he was none other than Father 1ole-tln, a
mouk and killul physician. lie examined the
child with anxious eyes. shook his head and
set about mixing q potion from has stock Oh
medicines.
Heavy steus were heard IN the hall, the door
opened. aud in stepped an old man clad IN coarse
raimeut IN his left hand he carried broad
trimmed hat ln his right was lamb carved
OF wood. lie WAS he shepherd Of the manor.
Casting a llack look at the monk, be APP
preached and held the lamb before the child /;
but she cared not for the pl8ythinE. The
mother s0bbed aud the shepherd left the room
az silently as he came. The monk, after ad-
mnislcriHg the drug, gave hope aud lett.
Mother aud child were alone.
The drugs seemed 20 do their good Office, and
the child fell into a deep sleep. which lasted all
the forenoon. But al sunset the child again
became restless, her forehead glOwed with a
fevcTish fire aud she muttcred incohercntly.
Suddenly the little one arose between the pill
lows and cried
Look, mother Sec the pretty lady and tho
children. The lady gives me roses, white
roses" Then sank back and closed her eyes.
The mother knecled and softly s0bhed:
Tho child has Eppn tie heavenly angels.
She must die!"
The mother, however, did not long yield 10
her anguish. HurTying TO the door she called
the servants but all had gone TO the monastery
60 hear the Christmas mass Only one lame,
old woman had remained az home to guard the
fires. Lady WalpurRa ordered her 10 leave the
fires ANA stay with the child, while she hurried
o. the monastery for Father C0lestin.
The sun bad set the mOuutain-t0ps were
tipped with gold the mists Of twilight like
gray ghosts spread over the snow-clad fields.
Noliving creature was visible. Far away IN the
distance CLEANED q light from the windows Of
the church Thithcr the anxious mother direct
ed her steps over the snow. Suddenly she stop
ped and her breath faltered; ont Of the woods
came train OF misty figures led 10y a tall, hand
some woman; behind her tupped a crowd Of
small children. with pale faces and white
gowns Trembling with fear Lady Walpurga
bid behind tree and let the troop pass
A the end came child who could not keep
up with the others for ID continually tread on
its dress, which was dragging on the ground
Now Lady Walpurpa, overcoming her dread
siepped up 10 the little one and fixed the gown
30 that ID could follow the rest. The pretty
lady turned her face, smiled a. the benevolent
woman, aud pointed 10 the ground at her feet
Al this moment the convent bell sounded
over the snow TIE train vanished like mist be-
fore the wind, aud Lady Wapurga stood alone
"a
which the RpparitiOn had pointed, and her
heart rcioiced at the sight her eyes beheld, for
out Of the ice covered ground had grown
bush covered with green leaves and white
roses.
"These are the roses which my child saw in
her dream " she cried.
Picking three OF the flowers she hurried
home as fast as possible Al the sickbcd she
found the old woman aud the old shepherd.
lie bad indeed but little faith in the art OF the
friar. lie mixed a drink Of juniper berries and
goats gall and gave ID 10 tile little one. Lady
MaipurEa stepped to the he'd laid the roses oB
tic cover AID watched the child with an anX-
ious heart. The little one reached, with trem-
bling hands, for the flowers, held them 10 her
face aud sueczed heartily.
God hclp!" cried mother servant and shep-
herd. Then the child asked tor a drink, turned
Sc head, aud fell into a deep sumber.
Now the sickness Is broken, said the shep-
herd.
Ny drink and the sneezing have saved your
child but where did you get the roses lady2"
Softly Lady NAlpurgR related 10 the old man
what had happened % Der.
That was no one else than our good Lady
Berchta aud the unbaptized children" eX-
planned the old man. Near Christmas she
passes through aud bIcsses the land Nv father
has also seen her Formerly she lived over
thgTc on the mountain, but since the monks
H. Ia q A. y "A.
wa Fortunate that you served the child; Lady
Berchta Is mild spirit, and rewards every
service rendered her"
Then the old fellow told all be knew. and
would have continued until morning IL Lady
MuipurFa had not put him out Oi the room with
friendly words.
Again she sat alone with her child, Only
once it mnrmured iu It's sleep, aud this was
when tue song OF praise, "6l0ria iu excelsis -
sounded from the church. The mother kneelcd
and prayed long.
On the next Gay when Father Colestin came
be WIS surprised 10 see the little one sitting
upright IN bed and playing with the carved
lamb.
e" Lady spoke the happy doctor, "the fever
hns disappeared but Il was a costly drink that
gave the child. hope you will show your
telt thankful % the monastery"
Lady hapurpa, however took the monk 20
ono side and related 10 him what had happened
Oh Christmas I've.
You have dreamed, or the snow has daz.
Eled you Take heed that none Of your foolish
talk reaches the ears Of the abbot"
Bui when Lady MainurgR showed him the
Inlracu Gus roses. the like Of which this skilled
b0tuuist bad never seen, he became thoughtful
and 90 last spoke
Madam, u high favor has bcon conferred
upon you. You have, with mortal eyes seen
TIE Heavenly Queen aud the angels In her com.
pany. u was the Mother OF 0ur Lord not the
terrbie witch whose name no Christian should
ntior) who gave you the roses Remember this
Lady Now hear me further The Madonna
in our church needs new drapery; also q
new crown Show yourself thankful 10 tie
Mother Of our Lord, aud furnish these. Will
y0u do thisf"
Frightened by the monks warning. she an.
s"ered, - Yes 81 shall be- a you wish"
hhe Then ordered side Of bacon two fat
geese Jar Oi lard and kep of wine 10 be- seui
with the monk The father gfinued, bessod
all aud left the house followed by the servant
The old shepherd, when he saw this, grumbled
% himself:
There goes that fellow with the reward
deserve"
Lady ~alpurpa thought likewise. but re-
malurd quiet She made the old shepherd !
handsome present, aud the Madonna received
asllver crown and new drapery.
he hoWefs, however, grew. bore seed in
creased iu number aud have from irust.yoril, ,
accounts, since worked many wonders.
An Irish FrautrR Privilege.
i3ssI,s bar.