The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-06-09
faces OF the two women, as they XII
there almost side by side.

could not reach. And still the TIVE
women knelt in their high balcony,
the n rapt in fervent prayer, the
other wondering that the presence o.
such hatred ,s hers should have nc
power to kill, and all the time max
ing a supreme effort to compose hel
own features into the expression O
friendly psthy and interest which
she knew . would need, so soon a:
the singing ecsed and it was time tc
leave the church again.
The psalms were finished. There
was a pause. and then he words OF
the ancient hymn ioated up to Unor.
mas ears, familiar in years gone by.
pro tua elemental,
Sis praesul ct custOdia,
Proeul recedent somn il,
Et noccium fantasmat,
Western que nOstrum { nprime.
'Let dreams be far, and phantasms
Of the night-bind thou our foe - sang
Beatrice in long, sweet notes.
Unorna heard no more The light
dazzled her and the blood beat in her
heart. 1t seemed as though no prayer
that was " prayed could be offered
up more directly against herself, and
the voice that ang it, though not
loud, had the rare power of CARRYING
every syllable distinctly in it's magic
tones, even to a great distance.
Afraid to look around lest her face
should betray her emotion, Unorna
glanced down at the kneeling nuns.
She started. Sister Paul, alone OF
them all, was looking up. her faded
eyes fixed on U~norna's with a look
that implored and yet despaired, her
clasped hands a little raised from the
low desk before her, most evidently
Offering up the words with the whole
fervent intention of her pure soul, as
an intercession for Unorna's sins.
For one moment the strong, cruel
heart almost wavered, not through
fear, but under the nameless impress
sion that sometimes takes hold of men
and women.
Then followed the canticle-Nunc
dimittis, Domine-the voice of the
prioress in the versicles after that
and the voices of the nuns, no longer
singing as they made the responses
the Creed-a few more versicles and
RESPONSES, the short, final prayers,
and all was over. From the church
be.ow came mp the soft sound that
many women make when they move
silently together. The nuns were
pa sag out in their appointed order.
beatrice remained kneeling a
few moments longer, crossed herself
ana then rose. At the same moment
norma Was on her feet.
Y seem to be the only ladies In
retreaa," she said.
les" Beatrice answered. Even
in that one syllable something of the
quality OF her thrilling voice vibrated
for al instant. They walked a few
STEPS farther in silence.
II am not exactly in retreat" she
said presently. either because she felt
that it would be almost rude to say
nothing, or because she wished her
position to be clearly understood. II
am waiting here for some one who is
to come for me-"
1T is Il very quiet place to rest in,"
said Unorna. 81 am fond of it,"
You often CO.'S here, perhaps"
s.Not now, 49, norma. But I
was here for d <sgEzs ne when 1 was
very young"
By u connie rtir'- Inct, as they fell
into conversation. they began to walk
more slowly, side by side.
'.Indeed." said Beatrice. with a
slight increase OF interest. Then
you were brought up here by the
nuns?"
mot exactly. 1t was a sort Of
refuge for me when l was almost a
child. l was left here alone, until I
was thought old enough to take care
of myself"
There was a little bitterness in her
tone, intentional, but mastery in it's
truth to nature.
Left by your parents?' Beatrice
asked. The question seemed almost
inevitable.
81 had none. Inever knew a father
nor a mother" Unorna's voice grew
sad with each syllable.
They had entered the great CORR
dor in which their apartments we're
situated. and were approaching Beat
rice's door.
my father died last week." Beat
rice saia, in a very low tone that was
not quite steady. II am quite alone
here and in the world"
II am very lonely, too" said
Unorna. MAY l sit with you for a
while?"
'Will you. indeed" Beatrice ex-
claimed. Il am poor company, but
l shall be very glad if you will come
in"
She opened the door and Unorna
entered.
81 only came this morning" Beat
rice said, as though to apologize for
the disorder.
"And do you expect to be here
long?" Unorna asked, as Beatrice
established herself at the other end of
the sofa.
81 cannot tell" was the answer. Il
NAV be here but a few days, or I NAV