The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-31
SISTER ROSE.


family who thought it better for her tc
take the veil than marry a penniless noble.
She soon accommodated herself to convent
life, but unfortunately her unlucky stan
placed in her way dashing cavalier.
This chevaIier was the brother of Roses
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 a billet doux,
complacent gardener and a piece of gold.
On the night of Shrove Tuesday, when
all the convent had retired to rest, Rose
issued barefooted and on tiptoe from hel
cell and flew like frightened bird to the
end of the garden. She was probably not
overcome by surprise to find there gallant
chevalier, who threw his mantle around
her and in trice whisked her up ladder
and over the garden wall.
An hour later the cheyalier appeared at
the masked ball in progress at the Jeu de
Paume, and clinging to his arm was the
prettiest and timidest domino that ever
was seen.
They danced together, and everyb body
admired them. They were, in fact too
much admired for presumptuous officer
wanted to dance with the pretty domino.
But the chevalier failed to see the fun of it.
Facetious compliments were exchanged,
and two swords were flashing from their
Ecabbards and probing for the soft spots in
the respective anatomies 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 a will O. the WiSp, without
anybody taking any notice of her.
What was to become of her? Return
home to her father? She trembled at the
mere thought. He would probably kill
her should she dare to show her face before
himi Return to the convent? Absolutely
out of the question
While she was lamenting her terrible
plight the bell of the Carmelites 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 5
O'Clock, when the sisters arose and discov-
cred her evasion!
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 him? He alone had the
power to gave her.
A few minutes later she was pulling the
bell at the door of the archbishop's palace.
She had to ring for a long time, for the
porter was not accustomed to be called up
at such an hour.
The good prelate 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 q nun
whom he believed to be safely informed in
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 1 will see
what can be done.'
Rose promised fervently all that was re-
quired of her.
g IT'S well,' exclaimed his lordship,
raising her to her feet. "Couragel 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 i'll her precipitation, and forget
ting her golden crucifix.
The archbishop was waiting for her in
the reception room.
MADAME, " he exclaimed sternly, as she
entered, sit appears that scandalOus things
are taking place in syour convent. l am
told that some of your nuns CAD about the
streets at night!''
"Oh, monsignor, it is impOssiblel'' ejac-
ulated the abbess clasping her hands and
raising her eyes in horror.
GA truce to talking" continued the
archbishop. 81 am here to see for myself
as is my duty, whether all is in order. Let
every nun lock herself in her cell, and
you, madame, set the example by with
drawing to your apartment. l will go the
round of the clOister and see whether ev-
erybody responds to the roll call
Every nun, from the abbess to the door
| keepers, locked herself in her cell His
lordship then fetched Rose, who was hud-
| ding in the carriage, and led her through
the deserted corridors to her cell, where
she noiselessly locked herself in. Then the
archbishop went the round of the convent,
| knocking at every door.
No one knew for certain what became of
| the chevalier. He had unfortunately
| killed his adversary and had had to fly
| from law.
Some declare that he became a monk.
| Others assert that he was taken at Quiber
on, and that when the republicans shot
| him he was found to be wearing as a sash
across his breast the white veil of nun.
Anyhow, he was never seen in Aries again.
Adapted From the French.
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