Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-04
SISTER ROSE.

Rose de X. belonged to poor, noble
family who thought it better for her to
take tho,veil than marry pennilcss nob'o.
She soon accommodated herself to convent
life, but unfortunately her unlucky star
placed in her way dashing cavalier.
This chevalicr was the brother of Rose s
particular friend, nun like herself, and
they first saw each other one visiting day
in the reception room, with the result that
the chevalier promptly fell heels over head
in love.
He determined to make his passion
known to the pretty nun This was easily
accomplished by means Of billet doux, a
complacont gardener and piece of gold.
On the night Of Shrovo Tuesday, when
all the convent had retired to rest, Rose
issued barefooted and on tiptoe from her
cell and flew like frightened bird t. the
end of the garden. She was probably not
overcome by surprise to find there gallant
chcvalier, VINO threw his mantle around
her and in trice whisked her up ladder
and over the garden wall.
An hour later the chevalier appeared ut
the masked ball in progress at the Jcu de
Paume and clinging to his arm was the
prcttiest and timidGst domino that ever
was seen.
They dapcod together, and everybody
admired them. They were, in fact, too
much admired, for a prcsumptuous officer
wanted to dance with the pretty domino.
But the chovalier failed to see the fun of it..
Facetious compliments were exchanged,
and two swords were flashing from theiI
scabbards and probing for the soft spots in
the respective anatomips of the rivals
while the whole ball was in an uproar
Rose, wild with terror, fitted out of the
ballroom into the dark labyrinth of the
streets, like will o the wisp, without
anybody taking any notice of her.
What was to become of her? Return
home to her father? She tremblcd at the
mere thought. He would probably kill
her should she dare to show her face before
himl Return to the conventY Absolutely
ont Of the question.
While she was lamenting her terrible
plight the bell of the Carmclites du Marche
Neuf began to ring mathis. Its clear, so.
nOrous clang summOning the nuns to the
chapel recalled the convent to her mind.
What excitement there would be at
o'clock, when the sisters arose and discov
erCd her evasionl
Mgr. du Lau the archbishop of Aries
was the kindest of men and father to his
people. Whenever he visited the convent
he always advised and encouraged her
Why not go to himP He alone had the
power to save her.
A few minutes later she was pulling the
hail Mt bn doom of M orgh hptN'- YNolunn
She had to ring for long time, for the
porter was not accustomed to be called up
at such an hour.
The good prclate did not make so much
fuss about it. When he learned that a
lady wished to see him on serious and
urgent business, he had her shown up to
the waiting room without more ado.
The holy man was surprised to recog
nize in the mysterious supplicant n nun
whom he believed to be safely informed in
her convent and even more so when the
girl he had always regarded as a model OF
saintliness confessed her awful fault.
At first he had a good mind to shake
her; but, seeing her in tears, he could not
help plying the poor lamb who had wan
dered from the fold and appealed to him,
the good shepherd, to lead her back again.
So, placing his hand on her head, he said:
MY daughter, your fault is great. How
ever, swear to me that you will never again
listen to the counsels of the devil and
that you will henceforward be the example
of piety you ought to be, and will see
what can be done"
Rose promised fervently all that was re.
quired of her
,-o1, l. l., IN
raising her to her feet. Courage Cover
up your face so that no one can recognize
you"
A few minutes later the last of the rev.
elers from the masked ball at the Jeu de
Paume were surprised to meet the arch
bishops carriage rumbling along toward
the convent.
The sister who acted as doorkeeper OF
the convent, awakened by the noise of the
wheels as the carriage drew up at the gate,
popped her head out of the window Of her
turret and thought she was dreaming
when she beheld his grace the archbishop.
The abbess jumped out of bed and hur.
riedly donned her robe, putting her veil on
all awry in her precipitation, and forget
ting her golden crucitix.
The archbishop was waiting for her in
the reception room.
Madame, he exclaimed sternly, as she
entered, sit appears that soandalous things
are taking place in your convent. 1 am
told that some of your nuns CAD about the
streets Mt night"
"Oh, monsignor, it is impossiblel" ejac.
ulated the abbess, clasping her hands and
raising her eyes in horror.
"a truce to talking" continued the
archbishop. 81 am here to see for myself.